Personally importing a couple of parts... Customs/security?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm currently on holiday in America, and I've noticed that service parts for my car (an American spec V8 Jeep) are about 1/3 the price over here compared to at home in the UK.
If I was to buy a couple of oil and air filters and put them in my luggage, would I have nay issues with a) getting them through airport security, as weird lumps of of metal in the suitcase and b) needing to declare them to customs for any reason? Obviously, its for personal use not to resell, but when I've mail ordered clothes etc from the US before there's been extra excise fees to pay.
I'm currently on holiday in America, and I've noticed that service parts for my car (an American spec V8 Jeep) are about 1/3 the price over here compared to at home in the UK.
If I was to buy a couple of oil and air filters and put them in my luggage, would I have nay issues with a) getting them through airport security, as weird lumps of of metal in the suitcase and b) needing to declare them to customs for any reason? Obviously, its for personal use not to resell, but when I've mail ordered clothes etc from the US before there's been extra excise fees to pay.
I regularly bring back car parts. You can bring back £390 worth before any legal requirement to declare (and your own personal morals dictate whether or not you declare above this). No-one will be fussed about metal bits in your case - you maybe more likely to get it searched by the TSA stateside, but this is transparent to you and you'll only know because they'll leave a note in the case (and commonly don't bother their arse to re-lock the case).
ChemicalChaos said:
Hi all,
I'm currently on holiday in America, and I've noticed that service parts for my car (an American spec V8 Jeep) are about 1/3 the price over here compared to at home in the UK.
If I was to buy a couple of oil and air filters and put them in my luggage, would I have nay issues with a) getting them through airport security, as weird lumps of of metal in the suitcase and b) needing to declare them to customs for any reason? Obviously, its for personal use not to resell, but when I've mail ordered clothes etc from the US before there's been extra excise fees to pay.
I'd check with your Airline, last time I flew out of LAX they specially asked if I had any car parts.I'm currently on holiday in America, and I've noticed that service parts for my car (an American spec V8 Jeep) are about 1/3 the price over here compared to at home in the UK.
If I was to buy a couple of oil and air filters and put them in my luggage, would I have nay issues with a) getting them through airport security, as weird lumps of of metal in the suitcase and b) needing to declare them to customs for any reason? Obviously, its for personal use not to resell, but when I've mail ordered clothes etc from the US before there's been extra excise fees to pay.
Might be easier to ship them over.
As for import duties... AFAIK there is no tax free allowance on general goods in the UK, although I think only VAT is applicable... and only if someone at customs asks.
Saleen836 said:
I came back from Florida with this in my suitcase...
It was bought second hand and I had it delivered to my hotel, I unpacked it from the box it arrived in to save space in my suitcase and had no problems with customs
Pah amateur ! I have bought back an exhaust system for a harley ,a carb kit , brake calipers , oil filters , handlebars , and ignition system , i always take a trip to sears for tools ( they come with a lifetime warrenty). Never had an issue with customs though I don’t think i would bring oil back .It was bought second hand and I had it delivered to my hotel, I unpacked it from the box it arrived in to save space in my suitcase and had no problems with customs
kowalski655 said:
If you bring back a water pump gasket for a 2006 Toyota Tacoma you may get some funny looks at the X-Ray desk!
Try 2 electric toothbrushes wrapped in phone chargers, next to a mobile. I learned what happens to 'real threat' cases that day... Rest assured, they're just being nosy if your case comes off the main track and then down the other side. A few years ago my dad was flying out of East Midlands to France
He wanted to take in his hand luggage Brake Disc and Pads.
He spoke to security at the airport, not a problem sir, Security man then gives his name and his colleagues name ( Split Shift)
All went fine, which I found strange
Anything out of the USA will I bet be impossible!
He wanted to take in his hand luggage Brake Disc and Pads.
He spoke to security at the airport, not a problem sir, Security man then gives his name and his colleagues name ( Split Shift)
All went fine, which I found strange
Anything out of the USA will I bet be impossible!
anothernameitist said:
A few years ago my dad was flying out of East Midlands to France
He wanted to take in his hand luggage Brake Disc and Pads.
He spoke to security at the airport, not a problem sir, Security man then gives his name and his colleagues name ( Split Shift)
All went fine, which I found strange
Anything out of the USA will I bet be impossible!
Eh? He wanted to take in his hand luggage Brake Disc and Pads.
He spoke to security at the airport, not a problem sir, Security man then gives his name and his colleagues name ( Split Shift)
All went fine, which I found strange
Anything out of the USA will I bet be impossible!
i brought a few bits and bobs for my JK Wrangler a few years ago from Las Vegas and then again from New York (JFK) with zero issues. I am always bringing cleaning stuff back from the US (waxes, polishes, compounds, etc.) occasionally they prompt a luggage search by TSA but this has never been an issue
bimsb6 said:
Saleen836 said:
I came back from Florida with this in my suitcase...
It was bought second hand and I had it delivered to my hotel, I unpacked it from the box it arrived in to save space in my suitcase and had no problems with customs
Pah amateur ! I have bought back an exhaust system for a harley ,a carb kit , brake calipers , oil filters , handlebars , and ignition system , i always take a trip to sears for tools ( they come with a lifetime warrenty). Never had an issue with customs though I don’t think i would bring oil back .It was bought second hand and I had it delivered to my hotel, I unpacked it from the box it arrived in to save space in my suitcase and had no problems with customs
Saleen836 said:
bimsb6 said:
Saleen836 said:
I came back from Florida with this in my suitcase...
It was bought second hand and I had it delivered to my hotel, I unpacked it from the box it arrived in to save space in my suitcase and had no problems with customs
Pah amateur ! I have bought back an exhaust system for a harley ,a carb kit , brake calipers , oil filters , handlebars , and ignition system , i always take a trip to sears for tools ( they come with a lifetime warrenty). Never had an issue with customs though I don’t think i would bring oil back .It was bought second hand and I had it delivered to my hotel, I unpacked it from the box it arrived in to save space in my suitcase and had no problems with customs
People assume what you can't bring on an international flight, and the short answer is unless it is a banned item (carrying or importing), it is explosive, corrosive or toxic substances, or lithium batteries, you are fine.
TSA in America are likely to open you bag if you have stuff like odd or large electronic goods (when I had those items in my bags, more often than not they would get inspected), and if it could be a danger to be carried on an aircraft. They don't care if you have the contents of a gearbox in your bag (yeah, brought that back for a PHer), half a motorbike (for me), or a suitcase full of beer (hic!).
It is even no problem to bring up to 5kg of Ammunition in your checked bags, which the average person would assume that is prohibited - nope, you can take firearms as checked baggage, and that includes bringing ammo with it too, as long as you meet the requirement (these from BA) "You can only carry these items in your checked baggage and will need to provide the appropriate licences and documentation for your firearms and ammunition, e.g. export/import licences and authorisation from local and national authorities."
TSA in America are likely to open you bag if you have stuff like odd or large electronic goods (when I had those items in my bags, more often than not they would get inspected), and if it could be a danger to be carried on an aircraft. They don't care if you have the contents of a gearbox in your bag (yeah, brought that back for a PHer), half a motorbike (for me), or a suitcase full of beer (hic!).
It is even no problem to bring up to 5kg of Ammunition in your checked bags, which the average person would assume that is prohibited - nope, you can take firearms as checked baggage, and that includes bringing ammo with it too, as long as you meet the requirement (these from BA) "You can only carry these items in your checked baggage and will need to provide the appropriate licences and documentation for your firearms and ammunition, e.g. export/import licences and authorisation from local and national authorities."
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