Claiming back VAT on imported Shoes

[Mrniceguy]

Guys,
I managed to wrangle free football boots for my U12 team. This was done through a contact and the boots were send direct from China via UPS. I got hit with €70 on receipt of the delivery. I thought that there was no vat applied on shoes. Am I right? Can I get this back?
Thanks

 

[ClubMan]

[broken link removed]?

Sports footwear

10. Revenue are prepared to continue with their concessional treatment of football boots and other sports footwear as being articles of ‘personal footwear’ and they therefore may benefit from the concession outlined at paragraph 5 above. However roller blades, roller-skates, etc. will continue to be taxable at 21% in all sizes.

Red highlighting is mine. Perhaps the exemption does not apply to a bulk import which might be assumed to be a business shipment?

 

[mathepac]

...I got hit with €70 on receipt of the delivery. I thought that there was no vat applied on shoes. ...

This might well be customs clearance fees + VAT levied by the carrier which you probably can't claim back as they are usually the responsibility of the consignee.