Great 'Buy now from the US' Hunt.

Indyboy

If visiting the States, use https://www.outletsonline.com - this lists the best and cheapest out-of-town retail parks. Not usually one to be turned on by shopping myself, I couldn't believe how cheap the prices were when my missus and I last visited LA and used the site to find a place for a spot of "retail therapy" (the phrase she uses when she's just blown loads of cash).

It seems we still live in Rip-Off-Britain........

DougWeller

Has anyone here ever been stopped going through the Green Lane of UK Customs?

Sui_Generis

DougWeller wrote:

Has anyone here ever been stopped going through the Green Lane of UK Customs?

Yes but they just looked through the bags that was all.

Once coming back from a holiday in the far east I had so much stuff on the trolley I could barely push it but they weren't interested

Sui_Generis

Silark wrote:

P.S for all you ebayers out there asking the seller to check the gift box on the shipping slip will save you paying duty on items bought from ebay sites from other countries.

No it won't. One is potentially liable for duty and tax even if receiving a gift if the value is sufficient. It happened wheen some friends sent their parents a gift from overseas.

Glowboy

Silark wrote:

P.S for all you ebayers out there asking the seller to check the gift box on the shipping slip will save you paying duty on items bought from ebay sites from other countries.

This is tax evasion, surely?

Sui_Generis

Glowboy wrote:

This is tax evasion, surely?

Certainly. As is marking down the value on the declaration.

raidernation_2

Ok I have bought a lot of stuff from the US, generally I find customs to be a bit hit and miss as to what they decide to charge on, usually get away with anything under $50 but as soon as $50 dollars is the value ive probably been charged 50% of the time, charges vary on different items but there is always a handling charge if customs get hold of the package,using USPS (US post office) royal mail on this side charge £4.00 handling plus duty and vat, have found that the vat is sometimes charged on the postage cost as well.
However if you use UPS they always add charges plus a £10 handling fee, Fed Ex is similar.
I would recommend usps as they do charge less than others and you can check weights and charges on their website: http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/immicl/immicleg_021.html

If you can calculate your postage or even help out your supplier by sending them to this page it may well help.
It does not always follow that you will evade charges if the gift box is ticked, however a number of suppliers are willing to devalue the amount they declare especially on ebay plus ticking the gift box.

raidernation_2

By the way if you are going to the US the best place to exchange your money is marks and spencers they are usually about 2 or 3 cents to the pound better than anywhere else and they do not charge commission.

fatboyonadiet

raidernation wrote:

By the way if you are going to the US the best place to exchange your money is marks and spencers they are usually about 2 or 3 cents to the pound better than anywhere else and they do not charge commission.

The best places are, in the following order:

Thomas Global Exchange (based in London)
Travelex (online)
M&S
Post Office

If you're not in LOndon order online from Travelex and on the day you place you're order ring TGE and then get Travelex to price-match it. Bingo Bango!

keithwales

Cruises & holidays on ebay us look cheap... problem is that apparently they don't sell outside the US... is this true?