I think, to be fair, that for some countries there is no way around paying VAT or import duties. If I recall correctly a sample or gift over GBP 36.00 is subject to duty and VAT and then to complicate matters, if it is less than GBP 18.00 it is free of duty and VAT.
Where I currently live, I am fortunate that anything less than AU$ 1000 is GST free (privately imported), though that may change.