Buying Electronics From the US

mrmonkey_3

Hi there, I am looking to purchase a mixing deck (around 3k) and obviously with the pound so strong it is a lot cheaper to buy it in America. Is it true that I would pay tax when it arrived and also the customs excise and duty? If so, how do I work out how much the customs and excise duty will be?

Now the other thing is that I have a friend at a US army base in England and I was thinking that I could send it to his home address and I understand that it can then get shipped over to the base and that counts as US territory or something. Anyone have any knowledge about these things?

Cheers! :T

tightus_wad

To calc. the tax etc. go to

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_001454&propertyType=document

However, If HE bought it - I would have thought most US stores will post to the forces overseas (for a little more postage charges). I would think he wouldn't pay duty then as it will come to him like you say on US territory. Then he can 'sell' it to you if he wants- if he doesn't make a profit inc. postage - everyone is happy! Except from HM gov. who can go and run! There is probably a regulation about this - but if noone finds out...

stevebananer

Perhaps HMG is already watching.......

mrmonkey_3

Cheers for the info, yea I think I've dropped the army thing but will still buy it from the US as it is still a fair bit cheaper!

dc

I would rethink the US base link as a lot of US firms will not ship to a non US address, partly because of high shipping costs and partly credit card security. They dont have chip and pin and usually rely on US driving licence or Social Security card as their security check, both of which will require a US address.
Good luck, best to pick up highly desired items on a visit, as there is an customs allowance of around £150ish duty free for personal shopping, and you can normally walk straight through the green channel anyway.;)