UPS Charging VAT for refused package

I made a purchase abroad, with UPS as the carrier. After the package arrived the UK with UPS, but before it was delivered to me, I canceled the purchase and requested the package to be sent back to seller. It was successfully returned. However, I later received an invoice for VAT from UPS, although I never kept the item. Do I need to pay VAT for a purchase I refused to receive and returned? Or should UPS reverse this charge in their accounts? Thank you.

Hi dfungtre,
Please could you get in touch with our Customs International Team.
Please see the link below:
Imports and exports: general enquiries.
Thank you.

Hi I would suggest that this is something you will need to raise with UPS. It is highly likely that UPS will have declared the goods to customs and paid taxes on your behalf prior to you cancelling your order.

Thanks for your response. If this was the case, would I need to pay UPS this money, even though I cancelled the order? In this case, would I be able to claim this back to HMRC?

Hi dfungtre,
Please could you get in touch with our Customs International Team.
Please see the link below:
Imports and exports: general enquiries
Thank you.