A teacher who fled Ukraine was left in shock after she was slapped with a £100 tax bill after arriving in the UK.
Carolyn Ross, 41, grew up in Swansea but had been working as an art teacher in Kyiv.
The day before Russia's invasion in February, she had to leave her position at the British International School and return home.
She brought back just a single suitcase of possessions, leaving some of her other belongings behind.
Since returning to the UK, Carolyn has been staying with family in Swansea, with a friend's husband posting the rest of her possessions via Parcelforce.
Two of the three suitcases were delivered from Ukraine - but another was held until she paid £104.21 to HMRC, despite already paying the £400 postal fee.
"They were labelled as commercial goods even though they were clearly personal," she told WalesOnline. "It's used underwear, tights, work dresses, blazers for work. It's obvious these things have been worn.
"I've lost my home, my normality, my students, my colleagues, my friends — the whole situation is so heartbreaking and I'm being charged £104 after already paying £400 to get my items back. It's just a kick in the teeth. Are you kidding me? Have I not been through enough?"
Carolyn had been living in a "great apartment" in Kyiv, a city she had come to love, for two-and-a-half years before the invasion.
"When everything started kicking off I went from Kyiv to Lviv," she added, "so I would be right against the border if something went seriously wrong.
"I spent about two weeks in Lviv, we were teaching online because of Covid, but then the UK government website basically said you should get out that day, so I caught a 6.30pm fight and I was home in Wales that night. The next day the bombs hit and flights were grounded."
The teacher had to leave her cat Drako at a cat hotel in Lviv, but around a week later she spent about 18 hours on a train to reach the Polish border and pick him up from hotel staff.
She also volunteered to collect four other animals from the border - a German cat which she reunited with its owner, as well as two kittens and a puppy which she rehomed.
Carolyn had to spend a month in Germany while awaiting a pet passport for Drako. She was made redundant from her job at the international school and, after such a stressful period, all she wanted was her possessions back - but she was shocked to be hit with the HMRC bill.
"I went to Parcelforce and to be fair they were amazing," she said. "They said they couldn't release the third suitcase because they'd be fined.
"I was told it was because the value exceeded £500, even though the items had been worn. I'm confused because my suitcase, which had all my shoes, was worth way more, but that was delivered.
"One of my friends in a similar situation was charged £13.50 for a package containing 10 books, and she was told it was because the value exceeded £10. I don't understand where they're getting these charges from."
Carolyn was warned that if she did not pay within 20 days the suitcase would be returned to the sender.
"I went to the HMRC website and filled in a form to dispute the charge, with a photocopy of the bill and a letter explaining the situation," she said. "I had nothing back. There was no way I could phone them, it was just an automated service that wants you to pay.
"I ended up paying yesterday because if it passed the 20 days I knew I'd never see the stuff again. These are things I'm going to need for school. I'm starting a new teaching job at the end of August in Doha, Qatar, and I can't afford a new wardrobe. HMRC have ignored my letter and happily taken my money."
She said it has been "heartbreaking" to see the impact of the war on people she was close to in Ukraine, including one woman who has lost her 28-year-old son.
Carolyn added: "I remember one of my students telling me he couldn't hand his artwork in because he'd spent all night in a bomb shelter. I have feelings of guilt because I was only there two-and-a-half years compared to Ukrainian colleagues who are under threat of losing their country.
"I spent the first month I got back to Wales with my cat in the house, because I just couldn't believe what had happened.
"When you choose to leave your home and job, it's on your terms. You say goodbye.
"I'm never going to see those kids again and tell them well done for their exams. I have so many friends there, the people are kind and gentle. It's just absolutely gutting. I would go back in a heartbeat, but at the moment it's a bit too scary."
A HMRC spokesperson told The Mirror: “HMRC have been made aware of this situation and we are working with the courier to find a solution.”
