Anyway to avoid import tax whist shipping from other countries?

wellice

My mum is currently in Hong Kong and if she buys an imac there it would save me a lot of money but is there any loop holes in shipping it back to the UK that would avoid me being taxed? Cos just shipping is likely to cost £200. Anyone with any sort of advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

bluecelticgirl

Can't your mum carry it back as her own when she returns?

wellice

The box with the mac all together weights 19kg and she only has 23 for luggage.

custardy

what method would you propose slipping a brand new imac past customs?

le_loup

The reason it "looks" cheap is precisely because there is no shipping, duty and VAT in the price. It could also be cheap because it is NOT an imac.

wellice

She would be buying it off the apple website. So theres no chance of it being fake. She's brought back a macbook in the original box just carrying through customs before, no questions asked. Which now that I think about it, is very strange.

taxsaver

Whilst her luggage allowance is only 23kg, airlines will usually allow excess for a charge; have you looked into what the airline would charge for excess baggage as it might be cheaper and safer than mailing?

John_Pierpoint

I would not even think about it.

Now if you want to write to your MP and ask if he can explain how 50% of our GDP now goes through various government coffers, up from more like 25% in the "Swinging 60's", feel free.

How we are expected to make a living in competition with the Chinese in these circumstances, escapes me.