I am trying to find out what it would cost in duty and taxes, for me to bring a surfboard back, worth about £500, from the US to the UK. Shayne Bell, London

Sunday Times travel expert, Richard Green, responds: Coming back into the UK from a non-EU country, you can bring in goods from overseas worth up to £145, before you have to pay any duty or tax. This is in addition to the alcohol and tobacco allowance. Go over that amount though, even with an item worth £150, and you are liable for duty and tax on the whole amount.

Duties are baffling though. For example, there’s none on digital cameras, but some on camcorders. You should call the HM Customs & Revenue (0845 010 9000) advice line for specific information.

The duty on surfboards is 2.7 per cent. If your board is worth £500, the duty is £13.50, which is then added to the purchase price before the VAT (at 17.5 per cent) is calculated, so that’s £89.69 in VAT, leaving you with £103.36 to pay.

Times recommends

• Britain's top 10 New Year's Day brunches
• Mozambique's lost islands
• The best things to see and do in 2010