iPad from the US

liubeliu

Hi All

With the launch of the new iPad and the reduction of the 16GB WiFi iPad 2 to £329. I have looked on the US Apple Store site and the price for this model is $399 which equates to about £260. I have a relative going to the States next month and wondered if they bought this would it synch to my iTunes ok. Does Apple block US purchased iPad's from working with a UK registered iTues account?

Many thanks in advance

liubeliu

Grrrr, we really are rip off britain,

My dad is currently in Honk Kong so I checked pricing over there, iPad 2 is listed at $3088 which converts to £255 which is £74 cheaper than we can buy it here.

My original question still stands, are there any issues with using these over here.

The new iPad 16GB WiFi I can get from HK for £320. Very tempting, if ok to use here I may well get my dad to buy as he is not due back until May so hopefully there will be stock he can get his hands on.

InsideInsurance

If you are getting the 3G/4G version you need to check you get the right one, I believe it would be the AT&T version rather than Verison but dont quote me.

It will work fine here but you need to check the warranty, some companies require you to show the import declaration and that the VAT and import duty has been paid.

Remember also the USA listed price will be without sales tax which varies by state. Presumably you are going to ask your relative to try and smuggle the item in to avoid the 20% VAT?

bcl999

liubeliu wrote: »

Does Apple block US purchased iPad's from working with a UK registered iTues account?

Never heard of that but might be worthwhile checking on a dedicated iPad site like here http://www.ipadforums.net/

mj132

Hi,
I bought my iPad 2 from the states last year and it works absolutely fine when you hook it up to your itunes it doesn't see it as any different to if you bought it in the UK.
Only thing I would say is if you're going for the 3G option is get it on AT&T not Verizon as you won't be able to put a UK sim card in a Verizon model.
Another point is you'll get a US power charger so if you have an Apple store near you just take it in there and they'll swap it for a UK charger for free if you give them the US one.
So yes it will work no problem!

mj132

also your years standard Apple Care warranty with it will stay the same and be valid in the UK as Apple care covers you for world wide purhcases

liubeliu

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Presumably you are going to ask your relative to try and smuggle the item in to avoid the 20% VAT?

No, in the past when my dad had bought electronic goods from Hong Kong he has declared these at Heathrow. He was never asked to pay duty, most expensive item was a Canon 450d a few years ago.

Just checked HMRC website, you can bring up to £390 worth of electrical goods without paying tax. The receipt from HK Apple Store would be £320 so within limits.

liubeliu

Thanks to everyone for your responses

InsideInsurance

liubeliu wrote: »

Just checked HMRC website, you can bring up to £390 worth of electrical goods without paying tax. The receipt from HK Apple Store would be £320 so within limits.

You can bring in £390 of goods full stop (ex alcohol & fags). So yes, if they are not intending to bring anything else at all in then it is ok but generally with "rip off britain" most people want to bring in more than £70 for themselves and everyone else

liubeliu

Yep, should have posted for all goods ex alcohol and fags.

Dad only has me, my wife and kids as only relatives in the UK and two siblings. He usually comes back empty handed with the exception of specific requests as he goes over at least twice a year. So staying within his allowance is not a problem. If he can't do it this time we can wait for his Autumn trip as it can be a Xmas pressie for the kids. We have lived this long without one so another 9 months won't hurt.

cem

This is a great post. Is there another way to buy from the US or HK and get delivered to UK .. assuming you don't have relative/friends coming back to the UK.

Wonder if there are services setup in the US where people take the delivery for you and then post to your UK address (all for a charge off course) ??

Come to think of it .. can you not order from amazon US site for delivery to UK ?