British Courier Express Service, British Mills Road, Holmfirth west Yorkshine, HD9,3TW.?

someone from UK sending me something, do i need to pay for Value Added Tax(VAT) before they can proceed the delivery. I also to the asked to pay by western union to the cashier but not under the company who should receive the payment. It seems not reliable. Is it a normal procedur of sending things through British courier?