Bringing in goods up to allowance in from USA

JenIttels

My hubby is about to fly from the US to the UK with suitcases half full of Lego (and a couple of other bits). The money spent on these things is about $600 (600/1.55=£387)(:shocked:) but he's grabbed some real bargains in the process and we don't want to give up any of it!

Now we're concerned about bringing it all in since we're not sure how customs determine the value of the goods. We have receipts to show how much he's spent but he's been getting between 10-70% off RRP in the USA and the RRP in the UK for the same sets is even higher! So if they use the UK RRP to tot up the goods then he'll be well over the allowance* but if they go by what we've actually paid (assuming an exchange rate of around or more than 1.55% since that's erring on the cautious side in case it goes down from it's current 1.63) then we're fine!

Appreciate any help if anyone knows how this is worked out. I'll try and give the HMRC office a call in the morning as well!

*this is all if he gets stopped - I know he probably won't but it is a lot of lego and perhaps they'll see it somehow and assume we're selling it? We're not. It's all for our own use (these sets have been taken out of their boxes just to save space) and as gifts and there isn't more than one of any set.

Edited: to correct my dreadful spelling!

shaun_from_Africa

You are entitled to bring in £390 worth of goods from outside of the EU (not including perfume, ciggies or alcohol).
This figure is based on the price paid in the country that the goods were bought in and has nothing to do with how much they cost in the UK.

martindow

I imagine they would accept receipts assuming they do not look dodgy and only start looking up prices if they thought you were under-declaring the value. An official conversion rate is used do change the Dollar value into Pounds. As you are right on the limit it may be an idea to check that they agree on 1.55 although this fluctuates day by day.

Are these items for your own use or are you intending to sell them on? I think this 390 Pound limit is solely for personal use or as a gift.

jackieblack

martindow wrote: »

Are these items for your own use or are you intending to sell them on? I think this 390 Pound limit is solely for personal use or as a gift.

OP stated (in post #1)

JenIttels wrote: »

perhaps they'll see it somehow and assume we're selling it? We're not. It's all for our own use (these sets have been taken out of their boxes just to save space) and as gifts and there isn't more than one of any set.

JenIttels

Thanks for the responses. I phoned HRMC to double check and Shaun was dead on:

The £390 allowance is worked out using the HRMC's official exchange rate (we looked it up - it's like 1.61 which is better than our 1.55 we used in calcs) and the price paid in the country where you bought it which means we're under the allowance (by the skin of our teeth so he's making sure he has every single reciept with him in case he gets questions!).

Just posting in case someone else has the same Q in the future!

littlereddevil

Be prepared for them to look in the suitcase. They always look in mine when I have anything out of the ordinary, then leave their calling card!
And the case unlocked!

martindow

jackieblack wrote: »

OP stated (in post #1)

Sorry - missed that. You're quite right.

Doshwaster

littlereddevil wrote: »

Be prepared for them to look in the suitcase. They always look in mine when I have anything out of the ordinary, then leave their calling card!
And the case unlocked!

I must have flown back from the US 30 times over the last 10 years and I have never (to my knowledge) had my case inspected and It's often stuffed full of clothes shopping.

Moto2

littlereddevil wrote: »

Be prepared for them to look in the suitcase. They always look in mine when I have anything out of the ordinary, then leave their calling card!
And the case unlocked!

Going into the US - yes, a few times
But the OP is asking about the return trip

Coming back to the UK [no idea how many times but it would be over a hundred], I've never had my bags searched to my knowledge

claire16c

littlereddevil wrote: »

Be prepared for them to look in the suitcase. They always look in mine when I have anything out of the ordinary, then leave their calling card!
And the case unlocked!

That's the TSA, not uk customs.

I've had their card a couple of times. But my suitcase is normally full of dirty clothes!

Spursman180

Twice in my last 3 trips mine was opened, I did have a selection of knives both times, bargain prices compared to buying here. It was either them or the fact that I had a bag full of leads and wires from my various 'toys'.