Bringing Stuff From The Us To The Uk

BeastBeast Armonkyi Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15731Members, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">oh em gee tax and VAT D:</div> OKeeee
I will likely be purchasing a lot of computer equipment in my holiday to america very soon.

However I have been told I cannot bring said equipment back to the UK, if it is over the value of £300, without paying VAT and duty tax. Which is about 30% total tax.

Is this true? Is there a way of -legally- bringing my computer equipment back without having to pay 30% of the value to the government of my lovely country?
Or will I have to ship via airmail and pay $$$ for shipping? D:

Help in this regard would be muchos apprieciated.
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Comments

  • Sub_zer0Sub_zer0 Join Date: 2004-05-09 Member: 28569Members
    Firstly not all us stuff works here in uk ( not compatible) and you may be able to if you ship it but aside from that proberly not
  • SpetsnazSpetsnaz Join Date: 2003-12-26 Member: 24761Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Beast+Apr 10 2005, 01:33 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Beast @ Apr 10 2005, 01:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> OKeeee
    I will likely be purchasing a lot of computer equipment in my holiday to america very soon.

    However I have been told I cannot bring said equipment back to the UK, if it is over the value of £300, without paying VAT and duty tax. Which is about 30% total tax.

    Is this true? Is there a way of -legally- bringing my computer equipment back without having to pay 30% of the value to the government of my lovely country?
    Or will I have to ship via airmail and pay $$$ for shipping? D:

    Help in this regard would be muchos apprieciated. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    yeah its true you will have to pay 30% if you bring that lot back.

    sucks doesnt it
  • AlienCowAlienCow Join Date: 2003-09-20 Member: 21040Members
    New plan! Go on holiday to Jersey! No VAT and its part of the UK, sorted!

    But yeh all this tax malarkey sucks eggs.
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-AlienCow+Apr 10 2005, 08:54 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AlienCow @ Apr 10 2005, 08:54 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> New plan! Go on holiday to Jersey! No VAT and its part of the UK, sorted!

    But yeh all this tax malarkey sucks eggs. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    wow.

    that took me a few to figure out. Right, Jersey (that place I have never heard of) not New Jersy (thet stinking waste next to where I live)
  • Sub_zer0Sub_zer0 Join Date: 2004-05-09 Member: 28569Members
    if your really cheacky you can get vat taken off if you know some one with a pc buisiness
  • BeastBeast Armonkyi Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15731Members, Constellation
    Can I not just say It's personal stuff, all for me, and thus be exempt from the tax etc? o.O;
  • Cereal_KillRCereal_KillR Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1837Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Sub zer0+Apr 10 2005, 03:42 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Sub zer0 @ Apr 10 2005, 03:42 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Firstly not all us stuff works here in uk ( not compatible) and you may be able to if you ship it but aside from that proberly not <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Everything apart PSU's and screens/other things that plug into the AC.

    And even then, you sometimes have a switch to change from 110 to 230V, and all you need is a cable.
  • BeastBeast Armonkyi Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15731Members, Constellation
    Another question:
    Apparantly even if you ship things from the US->UK, you have to pay duty and VAT as well x.x
    Is this true? Is there a -legal- way around it?
  • V_MANV_MAN V-MAN Join Date: 2002-11-03 Member: 6217Members, Constellation
    edited April 2005
    <!--QuoteBegin-Beast+Apr 10 2005, 02:33 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Beast @ Apr 10 2005, 02:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> OKeeee
    I will likely be purchasing a lot of computer equipment in my holiday to america very soon.

    However I have been told I cannot bring said equipment back to the UK, if it is over the value of £300, without paying VAT and duty tax. Which is about 30% total tax.

    Is this true? Is there a way of -legally- bringing my computer equipment back without having to pay 30% of the value to the government of my lovely country?
    Or will I have to ship via airmail and pay $$$ for shipping? D:

    Help in this regard would be muchos apprieciated. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Just hide it in your suitcase then don't declare it, if you get caught plead ignorance and you only end up having to pay the tax on it.....

    Or you could just take it all out of the packaging (so it doesn't look like you just bought it) and put in some antistatic bags in your suitcase then say if questioned that it's some old pc bits that your cousin gave you that he doesn't need anymore.
  • BeastBeast Armonkyi Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15731Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-V MAN+Apr 10 2005, 03:29 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (V MAN @ Apr 10 2005, 03:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Beast+Apr 10 2005, 02:33 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Beast @ Apr 10 2005, 02:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> OKeeee
    I will likely be purchasing a lot of computer equipment in my holiday to america very soon.

    However I have been told I cannot bring said equipment back to the UK, if it is over the value of £300, without paying VAT and duty tax. Which is about 30% total tax.

    Is this true? Is there a way of -legally- bringing my computer equipment back without having to pay 30% of the value to the government of my lovely country?
    Or will I have to ship via airmail and pay $$$ for shipping? D:

    Help in this regard would be muchos apprieciated. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Just hide it in your suitcase then don't declare it, if you get caught plead ignorance and you only end up having to pay the tax on it.....

    Or you could just take it all out of the packaging (so it doesn't look like you just bought it) and put in some antistatic bags in your suitcase then say if questioned that it's some old pc bits that your cousin gave you that he doesn't need anymore. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    This doesn't sound all that legal to me x.o Too many things that can go wrong. too many ways to get into -serious- trouble.

    Thanks for the suggestions anyway though.
  • RuByRuBy Join Date: 2002-12-12 Member: 10732Members
    VMAN has the best suggestionso far. Honestly I have done the round trip from France to the US probably 20 times and I have never declared. But all my suitcases are packed with stuff that I can buy cheaper in the US. As long as you dont look like a thug you'll be fine.
  • Sub_zer0Sub_zer0 Join Date: 2004-05-09 Member: 28569Members
    silly me v-man is correct they will only charge you tax if they see stuff if you remove stuff (you could proberly only take this so far) you might not have to pay tax this worked for a cam corder (not in us) thet we left packaging behind..
  • Cereal_KillRCereal_KillR Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1837Members
    That's what I do, don't declare. Just don't bring 5 suitcases per person, if you're reasonable, you don't have any trouble. I've done this 3 times and not caught a single time.
  • big_jimbig_jim Join Date: 2003-12-14 Member: 24350Members
    Yep, done this a few times as well, I've even brought car parts over. Just take a little less stuff with you or take a slightly larger than needed bag.
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    How exactly are they to know that it costs more than 300 pounds?
  • Sub_zer0Sub_zer0 Join Date: 2004-05-09 Member: 28569Members
    Just make sure it dont look like you brought it (so carfull with boxes) the do have xray so be carful of the kill pc parts
  • BeastBeast Armonkyi Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15731Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Sub zer0+Apr 10 2005, 08:16 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Sub zer0 @ Apr 10 2005, 08:16 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Just make sure it dont look like you brought it (so carfull with boxes) the do have xray so be carful of the kill pc parts <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Which parts are damageable by xrays? o.o;
  • VenmochVenmoch Join Date: 2002-08-07 Member: 1093Members
    Although you may want to watch out for the X-Ray machines, they have a nasty habit of picking that type of thing up. (And Customs may be watching.) That and X-Ray radiation could damage your equipment. (Thats another thing you may want to check.)

    Reminds me of the time I had US Immigration check my hand luggage because it had a mass of wires, a GBA and a cd player all arranged in a hap-hazard manner. They went through everything. And then I couldn't put the stuff back in it. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    Oh that and the button on my jeans set the metal detector off. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> That wasn't so fun.
  • TequilaTequila Join Date: 2003-08-13 Member: 19660Members
    Ebuyer and the like aren't <i>that</i> expensive are they? Is this really worth the hassle?
  • RellixRellix Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13572Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--QuoteBegin-Beast+Apr 10 2005, 03:18 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Beast @ Apr 10 2005, 03:18 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Another question:
    Apparantly even if you ship things from the US->UK, you have to pay duty and VAT as well x.x
    Is this true? Is there a -legal- way around it? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Have someone buy in that owns a business for, business needs, when the new tax year rolls round the tax comes back!
  • ShockehShockeh If a packet drops on the web and nobody&#39;s near to see it... Join Date: 2002-11-19 Member: 9336NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Beast+Apr 10 2005, 02:33 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Beast @ Apr 10 2005, 02:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> OKeeee
    I will likely be purchasing a lot of computer equipment in my holiday to america very soon.

    However I have been told I cannot bring said equipment back to the UK, if it is over the value of £300, without paying VAT and duty tax. Which is about 30% total tax.

    Is this true? Is there a way of -legally- bringing my computer equipment back without having to pay 30% of the value to the government of my lovely country?
    Or will I have to ship via airmail and pay $$$ for shipping? D:

    Help in this regard would be muchos apprieciated. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm doubting it, actually Beast. I shipped my PC to Australia and back again, and simply told them at either end "It's my PC" and they weren't bothered. I believe the 30% is if you believe you can sell it, and get away with the VAT.

    - Shockwave
  • Ph0enixPh0enix Join Date: 2002-10-08 Member: 1462Members, Constellation
    Shockie - That was because as you said it was yours VAT and duty are presumed to have already been paid on it as the goods have obviously already entered the country for you to take them out.

    Rellix - Thats not legal <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    You need to refer to this page - <a href='http://www.hmce.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_010220&propertyType=document' target='_blank'>Click</a>.

    If the sum of the goods your bringing in exceeds £145, you'll need to pay duty and VAT on. The only way round it is to share the components out - that limit is per person. As long as you've got enough people with you and no one component over £145 you'll be OK. At the very least it'd bring the total down.

    If you don't declare it, cross your fingers and hope you don't get pulled. If you do get pulled, you'll get fined.
  • SgtFurySgtFury Join Date: 2003-02-07 Member: 13219Members
    Can`t you say you brought it over from Uk to US in the first place? Therefore already paid tax on it.How would they know otherwise? Just make sure it has both a US and a UK power supply with it to fool them and that you use it both places? <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • BeastBeast Armonkyi Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15731Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Ph0enix+Apr 11 2005, 01:41 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ph0enix @ Apr 11 2005, 01:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Shockie - That was because as you said it was yours VAT and duty are presumed to have already been paid on it as the goods have obviously already entered the country for you to take them out.

    Rellix - Thats not legal <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    You need to refer to this page - <a href='http://www.hmce.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_010220&propertyType=document' target='_blank'>Click</a>.

    If the sum of the goods your bringing in exceeds £145, you'll need to pay duty and VAT on. The only way round it is to share the components out - that limit is per person. As long as you've got enough people with you and no one component over £145 you'll be OK. At the very least it'd bring the total down.

    If you don't declare it, cross your fingers and hope you don't get pulled. If you do get pulled, you'll get fined. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Ouch.
    I'm the only one going on holiday, this is the problem.
    However, I should be able to get my watercooling kit legally past customs, as it works out to be £140...
    SO CLOSE though x.o
    I hope the exchange rate doesnt shift too much, or I have a problem xP.

    What's the conditions for shipping items? o.O? How much before I have to pay duty etc?
  • V_MANV_MAN V-MAN Join Date: 2002-11-03 Member: 6217Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Beast+Apr 11 2005, 05:48 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Beast @ Apr 11 2005, 05:48 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Ph0enix+Apr 11 2005, 01:41 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ph0enix @ Apr 11 2005, 01:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Shockie - That was because as you said it was yours VAT and duty are presumed to have already been paid on it as the goods have obviously already entered the country for you to take them out.

    Rellix - Thats not legal <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    You need to refer to this page - <a href='http://www.hmce.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_010220&propertyType=document' target='_blank'>Click</a>.

    If the sum of the goods your bringing in exceeds £145, you'll need to pay duty and VAT on. The only way round it is to share the components out - that limit is per person. As long as you've got enough people with you and no one component over £145 you'll be OK. At the very least it'd bring the total down.

    If you don't declare it, cross your fingers and hope you don't get pulled. If you do get pulled, you'll get fined. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Ouch.
    I'm the only one going on holiday, this is the problem.
    However, I should be able to get my watercooling kit legally past customs, as it works out to be £140...
    SO CLOSE though x.o
    I hope the exchange rate doesnt shift too much, or I have a problem xP.

    What's the conditions for shipping items? o.O? How much before I have to pay duty etc? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Seriously, stop sweating ffs lol. Just do what I said lose the packaging then say it's old pc bit's a relative gave you (if they even ask about it that is) what's some chump working at customs gonna know about the odd few PC bits in your luggage?

    In actual fact the chances of you gettings stopped and checked are very remote unless you look like an arab or something <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • RellixRellix Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13572Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--QuoteBegin-Ph0enix+Apr 11 2005, 01:41 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ph0enix @ Apr 11 2005, 01:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Rellix - Thats not legal <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Not if you for say, run a company to lets just say host game servers.... and since technically running a single player game is just running a server for one its ok :-p .
  • TestamentTestament Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 4037Members
    Talk about a flimsy excuse to end all flimsy excuses. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • GrendelGrendel All that is fear... Join Date: 2002-07-19 Member: 970Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, NS2 Playtester
    It's relatively easy to get both knives and drugs through customs and those are what HM C&E actually care about. Computer components aren't even on the radar. Stick it in your hand luggage and if someone asks, tell them your friends in the states bought it for you as a present.

    But they won't ask. They wouldn't know a graphics card from a 16th century hand-carved tryptych.
  • MoquiaoMoquiao Join Date: 2003-05-09 Member: 16168Members
    yeah i agree with V beasty, your worrying too much...

    just breeze it, its only a little lie. its not hurting anyone but uncle sam and uncle sam is a **** anyway. lol


    just say its yours or a present.. or w/e or just dont declare it, and then if they DO pickup on it, act dumb.
  • BeastBeast Armonkyi Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15731Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Grendel+Apr 12 2005, 12:08 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Grendel @ Apr 12 2005, 12:08 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> It's relatively easy to get both knives and drugs through customs and those are what HM C&E actually care about. Computer components aren't even on the radar. Stick it in your hand luggage and if someone asks, tell them your friends in the states bought it for you as a present.

    But they won't ask. They wouldn't know a graphics card from a 16th century hand-carved tryptych. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Problem is, don't some computer components possibly look like bombs? o.O?
    Which parts might be damaged by xrays?
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