Where do I stand with buying things on my trip to Dubai?

nathanrt

The HMRC website hasn't been much use to me...

I'm currently in Dubai on a work trip for two weeks. I've noticed out here a number of well-known high street chains (Next, SuperDry etc) are incredibly cheap (compared to the UK!). Having mentioned this to my family they have asked if I can pickup a few items for them.

My question is this- where do I stand in terms of coming back to the UK? Do I have to declare at Customs?

Thanks in advance!

victor2

Basically you can bring in goods up to £390 in value without declaring them.
Details here:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingnoneu.htm#1

nathanrt

Wow, that's surprisingly clear!

Many thanks for your prompt response :j

lady1964

I would be tempted to take the tags off and not bring back the bags the clothing was put into when you buy it.

We were advised to do this when we went to New York, it looks 'less new' if that makes sense so if you get stopped at customs, it appears that everything is yours.

Of course, I'm not advocating anyone to break the law

luci

Why take the tags off clothes which may be gifts if you are within the allowance?

Mr_Wang

lady1964 wrote: »

Of course, I'm not advocating anyone to break the law

I am.

The law is garbage in relation to bring stuff back from your jollies.

Buy what you want, bin the boxes and stuff UK Immigration and the ridiculous tax implied by the idiots in charge of this country.

claire16c

Especially as only a few years back the allowance was a pathetic £120. What a joke.

Most people dont seem to be aware that an allowance exists anyway..Its not like there is a huge sign with it on, or you have a customs landing card like some countries have for their own citizens. So you just walk right out the nothing to declare exit.

Dont worry about clothes. If you buy something expensive post the receipt/guarantees home.

Bob_the_Saver

Mr_Wang wrote: »

I am.

The law is garbage in relation to bring stuff back from your jollies.

Buy what you want, bin the boxes and stuff UK Immigration and the ridiculous tax implied by the idiots in charge of this country.

But where will all the tax come from to keep the great unwashed in the lifestyles to which they have become so entrenched? (see daily Wail for full details)

shaun_from_Africa

lady1964 wrote: »

I would be tempted to take the tags off and not bring back the bags the clothing was put into when you buy it.

We were advised to do this when we went to New York, it looks 'less new' if that makes sense so if you get stopped at customs, it appears that everything is yours.

Of course, I'm not advocating anyone to break the law

Could provide an interesting conversation at customs if the OP is a bloke (as their user name suggests) and the customs man finds an assortment of ladies fashions in their suitcase.
"Honest guv, it's all mine. I like to dress up at weekends"

lady1964

luci wrote: »

Why take the tags off clothes which may be gifts if you are within the allowance?

Well of course I meant if the OP was over the allowance, which is actually quite a decent amount and it's easy to go over it whilst buying up bargains. I know I found it really easy when in San Francisco and New York :)

nathanrt

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Could provide an interesting conversation at customs if the OP is a bloke (as their user name suggests) and the customs man finds an assortment of ladies fashions in their suitcase.
"Honest guv, it's all mine. I like to dress up at weekends"

Yes, that would be a very awkward conversation!

So, I guess as long as I don't go buying loads of things I should be ok.

Thanks everybody