what are the rules for bringing back electrical goods from hong kong

androobe

there's a financial limit on what you can bring back without paying taxes & import duties.. I think the limit is about £125. If it's worth more than this and you declare it, that's fine, but the rate you pay depends on all kinds of things - so check with HMRC first. It'll be a MINIMUM of the 17.5% VAT, usually more. If you don't declare it, you may lose your goods.

michica

hi there
i fly to hk regularly so maybe i can share bit of my experience here...

if u get the flight that depart HK at midnight and arrive in heathrow at 5, 6am (thats when HK flight usually arrive apart from in-direct or flights that take off in hong kong in the afternoon), 9/10 times, there will be no custom people in the airport to check your bags. of course i have heard stories of people being checked (uk custom is very strict with what food the chinese bring into the country), but i think you will even have a smaller chance of being check.

there is a financial limit, if you are still concern being checked, all you have to do is to sepeare the box and the console, and insist the console is not brand new. this is very common and if they find the box- you can tell them you wanted to keep it. majority of chinese people all carry a laptop each and i don't see why you cant bring back some electrical goods, or even a ps3 back to the UK. as long as you insist they are not brand new, or something along the line!

just never declare your goods, because you may be better off buying it in here instead!!!

also, double check if ps3 from hk will be able to play the UK games though. my OH has bought a xbox360 here, and they cant open the games from HK, vice versa.

have a fun trip!!! food is the best over there!

Steve_xx

When travelling from outside the EU to the UK you are allowed to bring in the following, provided you travel with the items and do not intend to sell them.

• 200 cigarettes; or 100 cigarillos; or 50 cigars; or 250 gms of tobacco
• 2 litres of still table wine
• 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% volume; or 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other liqueurs
• 60cc/ml of perfume
• 250cc/ml of toilet water
• £145 worth of all other goods including gifts and souvenirs

WiseInvestor_2

michica wrote:

just never declare your goods

Oh dear!!!

stratford_2

michica wrote:

there is a financial limit, if you are still concern being checked, all you have to do is to sepeare the box and the console, and insist the console is not brand new. this is very common and if they find the box- you can tell them you wanted to keep it. majority of chinese people all carry a laptop each and i don't see why you cant bring back some electrical goods, or even a ps3 back to the UK. as long as you insist they are not brand new, or something along the line!

This is unlikely to work if you get a switched on customs officer - I understand that they will check the serial numbers of electrical items to determine which international market they are intended for. You're unlikely to convince them that a brand spanking new machine/laptop has not just been bought in one of the best places for UK people to buy (they also keep any eye out for people returing from NYC) Also, they could easily find out that the PS3 is currently unavailable in Europe. Up to you if you wish to take the risk, but be aware that it is not as easy as some people imply. Why not check out HMRC's website to see if you find out the legit costs of importing and if the figures still stack?