Buying a Macbook in US

[jeeptj]

Apart from the Power cord issues do you think its a good idea to buy a Macbook in the US for UK use. Is there an issue for instance with the keyboard. If I have warranty issues I will be going back to the US and its only going to be used as a home machine. Just considering the saving of about £140!

[marctwo]

I bought my Powerbook in Canada. You save quite a bit doing this, the power cord is not really an issue, just plug in a uk 2 pin radio style cord into the power brick and it copes just fine with 240v. The keyboard will be a US one so the @, £ and # keys are different and you don't get a € key. Doesn't take much effort to adapt. I believe all apple laptops are sold with an international warranty but you should check that.

Remember to claim the US sales tax back and you save even more, although you are supposed to declare it when you get to the UK.

[TimDarracott]

I've got a black macbook from florida. Saved just short of £200 and i forgot to ask about the sales tax part. Works just fine, i purchased a travel pack as well which allows you to plug the brick straight into the wall. Comes with plugs for different parts of the world.

[jeeptj]

Hey, thanks for that! At the risk of appearing stupid how do I claim the US Sales Tax back?

[toohuge]

In order to claim your sales tax back in the US, when you purchase your product from the store, mention that you intend to claim the sales tax back when you leave. The store will then (usual) print a different receipt with some instructions on it. The basic idea is that you must approach the customs officials in the airport and they will sort you out.

They make it quite an ordeal to try and put you off it but you have nothing to lose, just allow a little bit extra time for yourself in order to complete all the forms etc.
Hope this helps.

[cjs]

I bought my Macbook in the US. I also bought Applecare and a Mightymouse, saved a few quid and have had no problems. I did not claim the tax back, usually its only about 7-8% so not a huge amount but still worth it if it's not too much hassle.

In the Preferences you set the keyboard up to UK style. This then converts the hash/pound key to a £ key.


Also don't forget US prices are always quoted pre tax so you will have to add that on to any costs you have seen.

If you are in the US then look out for CompUSA stores, they are closing all of them and there maybe some bargains, I got 20% off my Applecare before Christmas, they also had some Macbooks going cheap however they were the older model.

[sjg]

Power adaptor is multi-voltage, just need a UK cable to go into it. Warranty is worldwide for any Apple product that works without needing to be plugged into the mains (laptops, ipods, accessories, etc).

Consider instead getting it from the tax-free Dixons at the airport - you'll get a proper UK machine and IME the saving by not paying VAT is equivalent to the US price. Ring and reserve before, pay at the airport and you don't even have to take it with you, you can get it delivered to home or pick it up on your way back through. Avoids any potential issues with import duty, etc when you come back through customs too.

[Neil_Sc]

I don't understand how a saving is to be made.

Take the current Macbook midrange laptop into consideration, $1299 in the UK £829

I assume that when you claim the USA sales tax at customs, you get VAT lumped onto the price you paid for the Macbook? I understand that laptops are import duty exempt, but not VAT exempt?

Say the exchange rate is £1 = $1.90 then the Macbook is around £685

Add VAT and that comes to about £805, a £24 saving, too small to be worth it? Especially considering a work scheme allows me a discount on the UK price to £779

Edited by Neil_Sc on Friday 1st February 21:18

[sjg]

The "saving" assumes flouting the personal import limits and not paying the import duty/VAT.

Your choice, but if you do get stopped at customs coming back with a brand new laptop with a US serial number then expect your entire saving to disappear. Plus a fine on top.

[Neil_Sc]

sjg said:

The "saving" assumes flouting the personal import limits and not paying the import duty/VAT.

Your choice, but if you do get stopped at customs coming back with a brand new laptop with a US serial number then expect your entire saving to disappear. Plus a fine on top.

That was my assumption and personally I'd rather pay the VAT than risk anything like that, just not worth it.

[cjs]

Neil_Sc said:

sjg said:

The "saving" assumes flouting the personal import limits and not paying the import duty/VAT.

Your choice, but if you do get stopped at customs coming back with a brand new laptop with a US serial number then expect your entire saving to disappear. Plus a fine on top.

That was my assumption and personally I'd rather pay the VAT than risk anything like that, just not worth it.

Highly unlikely unless you leave it in the box with the receipt attached! Just some common sense needed, throw the packaging away and buy a case for it and stick some personal files on it before you come back. 1000's of laptops are taken on planes everyday from all over the world, do really think Customs are going to bother to check them?

[navier_stokes]

Surely you have to declare it (and thus pay import VAT) if you want to claim US sales tax back?

[tinman0]

Neil_Sc said:

sjg said:

The "saving" assumes flouting the personal import limits and not paying the import duty/VAT.

Your choice, but if you do get stopped at customs coming back with a brand new laptop with a US serial number then expect your entire saving to disappear. Plus a fine on top.

That was my assumption and personally I'd rather pay the VAT than risk anything like that, just not worth it.

as someone else said, just make sure you don't have the box when you go through customs.