Importing loose gemstones

[Brown and Boris]

HMRC site doesn't seem to have any info on any customes or VAT duty applicable.


Has anybody done it? I am thinking of buying some loose stones rather than keping the cash in the bank once some bonds mature this year.


With the $ being strong, if they levy any duty it may not be worth it, but I thought it was worth a look.

[nsa]

I thought the idea with importing gems personally was that you smuggled them in to avoid duty? I'm sure you're aware that gem-based scams are rife; the scam being you are duped into paying top money for rubbish stones.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_gem_scam

I know a friend who laid out £4k on sapphires and rubies in Bangkok and I've been offered similar in Thailand and Jaipur in India. She hasn't plucked up the courage to get them valued here.

Bill Gross says Treasury Inflation Protected Securities are the way to go.

[Brown and Boris]

nsa said:

I thought the idea with importing gems personally was that you smuggled them in to avoid duty? I'm sure you're aware that gem-based scams are rife; the scam being you are duped into paying top money for rubbish stones.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_gem_scam

I know a friend who laid out £4k on sapphires and rubies in Bangkok and I've been offered similar in Thailand and Jaipur in India. She hasn't plucked up the courage to get them valued here.

Bill Gross says Treasury Inflation Protected Securities are the way to go.

Not me guvnor. I on,ly buy from Elizabeth Duke