Buying goods in the US and bringing to UK

ZeeZee

Wow thanks for the response everyone, pretty sure I've replied to all here (in order of posting):

pennylane99: Good point, I suppose I would keep the receipt when bought

shaun_from_Africa: I never really thought about the guarantee. Usually it is non transferable when buying second hand goods if you don't have a receipt! I'd hate to get caught in a situation with goods on oneself drastically over the limit. When I think about it, there are numerous things one accumulates over the years, such as cameras, glasses etc bought overseas from various trips!

ferf1223/lfc321: Apologies I must just be sheltered. How would thieves know what is in checked luggage, surely if you have them in hand luggage they would be more visible? Therefore more of a target. In the past I have protected items by placed them wrapped in clothes in the middle of the suitcase, but certainly do understand a greater risk from luggage being thrown about! I'm hoping the packaging will protect them, but now I'm not so confident about that!

Thank you!

Voyager2002

lfc321 wrote: »

This. No way would I be putting these in checked luggage.

Agreed. I remember a colleague who once put a work laptop in checked luggage; it didn't arrive; and everyone had a big laugh about her stupidity! She couldn't stand it and left the job soon afterwards.

OTOH my DS once hid a laptop in his suitcase (wrapped in clothes) for a trip to Egypt, and by some miracle it got there safely.

ZeeZee

Is it really that bad putting value items in your checked luggage?

I'm just a little apprehensive about carrying them on me, but after the comments above may do so. How much trouble would customs give you? Do you have to declare them, or not as they fall below the maximum good value, and can you just show your receipt / invoice and that's it, or would you have to jump through hoops to get your items through?

Sorry for all the questions, I'd rather know these things than have the end of a holiday spoilt!

Regards

lfc321

Valuables frequently 'go missing' from checked luggage and as far as I know most if not all airlines advise against putting valuables in checked lugagge.

It's one of the ongoing ironies of air travel - a huge focus on security out front, but many airport operators have never got to grips with what happens to your baggage once it's out of your sight. To be fair, some airports are worse than other.

shaun_from_Africa

Do you have to declare them, or not as they fall below the maximum good value

No. Provided that the total value of goods for each person is below the £390 limit then there is no need to say anything to customs.
I travel back from the USA a few times each year and am generally over the top with what I'm allowed.
I always declare what I have, and as yet I've never once been charged anything. It might be a different matter if you were hundreds OTT, but for a few £s they aren't really interested.

Is it really that bad putting value items in your checked luggage?

Apart from the chances of having it stolen, (even if locked, most cases can be opened in seconds)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703581204574599953475913542.html
baggage handlers don't generally take too much care with bags.

ZeeZee

Right guys (and gals), thank you very much for the insight.
I was (blissfully) unaware of the dangers of stolen items and potentially could have lost more money than I'd saved, the link provided by shaun is alarming indeed! I think I shall carry them in my hand luggage as that is the safest option.

Again thank you very much for your help everyone!

sk00bie1

I didn't know what a touchpad was so I googled and found this http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/dumped+TouchPad+wants+business/5356829/story.html

Looks like you may be able to get yourself a 99$ bargain!

ZeeZee

sk00bie1 wrote: »

I didn't know what a touchpad was so I googled and found this http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/dumped+TouchPad+wants+business/5356829/story.html

Looks like you may be able to get yourself a 99$ bargain!

Unfortunately the bargains have all been snapped up by eBayers!
The Touchpad was £89 and £115 (for the 16GB and 32GB models respectively) over here, and even cheaper by comparison in the US.

As is the case on eBay however these are selling for a markup £200 (for the £89 model). They are slightly cheaper when bought from the US even with the markup.

It is more of a case of want rather than need. Having had a play with one that a work colleague managed to snag I must admit they are very nice, and as such are top of the shopping list at the moment

Doshwaster

I go shopping in the US several times a year and have never declared anything coming back (hello HMRC is you are reading this!). As long as you aren't obvious like carrying loads of Macy's bags through the Green channel then the risk of getting stopped is microscopic. It is probably harder to find a customs official on duty if you want to declare anything.

With clothing I just throw away all the labels and packing and put them in my suitcase with the rest of my clothes - this cuts down on weight too. Who is to say what is new and what isn't?

ZeeZee

I guess boxed electronics would be more obvious than clothes, and also a greater target for thieves and customs officers!
I don't think I'll be able to bring back a suitcase worth of tablets to sell on eBay, but saving enough for myself and the family works