Buying from the States
Discussion
They've just been talking on the radio about an article in PC Pro about buying electronic goods from the States. They quoted some things like Photoshop costing £500+ here but £300 Stateside.
They also said that some products - still digital cameras being one - are duty-free. Something like an iPod is 2% and if the duty's less than £7 they usually waive it.
They didn't mention VAT though. Anyone got the mag for a bit more detail? If not, I'll look out for it over the w/e and post up what it says.
They also said that some products - still digital cameras being one - are duty-free. Something like an iPod is 2% and if the duty's less than £7 they usually waive it.
They didn't mention VAT though. Anyone got the mag for a bit more detail? If not, I'll look out for it over the w/e and post up what it says.
406 said:
Why not buy it out there, post the manual home, chuck the box away, and pretend you took it with you to the states.
They can find out where it was sold by the serial numbers. Prefix's on a serial number indicate which country the item was sold in.
HTH
Dave
Not sure Customs at an airport are going to start looking at serial numbers...
_dobbo_ said:
If you get caught you will have to pay vat.
Why not buy it out there, post the manual home, chuck the box away, and pretend you took it with you to the states.
I'll have to admit that's exactly what I did with my first digital camera - saved £200 on the uk price.
Cheers
Paul
406 said:
They can find out where it was sold by the serial numbers. Prefix's on a serial number indicate which country the item was sold in.
You could tell them it was a grey import... er, hang on...
I doubt Customs have the time or data to check every serial number of every product coming through.
Don't forget that you're allowed to bring about £140 worth of personal gifts in without having to pay and duty or VAT. Its some odd figure that I suspect was based on USD200 divided by the exchange rate on the day the regs were written, and may have been updated as its a few years since I checked !
That £140 has to be deducted off any item or items you bought before they can take money off you so for example the VAT payable on a £300 camera is (300-140)*0.175=£28 which isn't too bad.
I think they can charge VAT based upon the manufacturers recommended retail price of the equivalent item in the UK unless you have a receipt showing the actual price paid. If you're at all concerned, go through the red channel, I've done it myself a couple of times and after a quick look at my luggage and a few questions I've been allowed to go on my way with my wallet intact. Just don't bring in a whole suitcase full !
That £140 has to be deducted off any item or items you bought before they can take money off you so for example the VAT payable on a £300 camera is (300-140)*0.175=£28 which isn't too bad.
I think they can charge VAT based upon the manufacturers recommended retail price of the equivalent item in the UK unless you have a receipt showing the actual price paid. If you're at all concerned, go through the red channel, I've done it myself a couple of times and after a quick look at my luggage and a few questions I've been allowed to go on my way with my wallet intact. Just don't bring in a whole suitcase full !
I've bought loads of kit in the States. My bro lives out there so i'm over quite a lot.
If Britain wants to be so uncompetitive, I have no worry about buying elsewhere.
Sadly, instead of looking at the reasons why we're RipOff Britain, the government will just look into further ways to catch and fine us...
If Britain wants to be so uncompetitive, I have no worry about buying elsewhere.
Sadly, instead of looking at the reasons why we're RipOff Britain, the government will just look into further ways to catch and fine us...
I just got back at the weekend after buying a 20D and a couple of lenses totalling $4800, as usual there wasn't even anyone in customs at Birmingham as I walked thru.
I had mailed the receipts and left all packaging and manuals etc, the really obvious thing if they were to check is that the battery charger has a US plug! bit of a giveaway.
If you are In New York go to B & H as directed by another PH'er earlier, I have never been anywhere like it, there were 18 people serving just on the Digital SLR counter! they must take millions!
Nick
I had mailed the receipts and left all packaging and manuals etc, the really obvious thing if they were to check is that the battery charger has a US plug! bit of a giveaway.
If you are In New York go to B & H as directed by another PH'er earlier, I have never been anywhere like it, there were 18 people serving just on the Digital SLR counter! they must take millions!
Nick
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