Bringing Back stuff from USA

g_attrill

One thing is to not lie to the customs officers, they've heard it all before and (for example) have a database where they can look up where electrical equipment was originally sold. For example they might say "where did you buy this camera?" you reply "Dixons", they say "well our database says it has a US serial number!"

paulinespens

WiseInvestor wrote: »

I don't wish to be the kiljoy here, but what people are discussing is illegal

The Customs limit hasn't changed significantly for years but is under review - some thought changes would be in place by Summer 07. Until then, it's £145 each, end of story.

By importing cheap products we're reducing domestic sales thereby putting increasing pressure on our local industries. So prices go up to cover the costs and eventually UK companies go out of business.

Yeah the customs rule os out of date.

As for domestic sales mmmmmmm

If Walmart can sell levis for £10 why can't Walmart here?

its called rip off Britain.

Nothings made in UK anways its all made overseas.

Truepat

paulinespens wrote: »

If Walmart can sell levis for £10 why can't Walmart here?

They could except that they are not allowed to.
Tescos wanted to sell Levis for about £15 but got stopped from doing so

M4RKM

domestic sales??

well if the sold the stuff i buy in the UK then yes it would, but as I buy designer stuff in my size, it isn't available in the UK, then they UK isn't losing out...

i've been to the US plenty of times over the past 5 years, and never been stopped once... luck of the draw really...

Dumyat

we got back yesterday and the customs at the airport was totally empty, even the red channel was unmanned.

we probably did bring back more than our allowance. we bought trainers and clothes, all of which we wore out there so how would customs know they were new? going by the bags people were carrying I dont think we were alone.

with the exchange rate and the different brand pricing there are some good bargains to be had. my son got some nike air trainers for under £50...over £100 here and a pair of addidas trainers he wanted worked out at £10! brands like levi's are selling for less in dollars than it is in pounds here..(if that makes sense)

darich

i've come back with approx £3k of photographic gear and never had any problems. Posted manuals, receipts etc home and got them when i returned.

I don't necessarily agree that Britain loses out because if i didn't get it in the US i wouldn't have got it here - it was to expensive.

Lucie_2

£145 is your duty free allowance, if you exceed it then you have to pay duty on everything, not just the excess.

I'm not keen on buying electrical items abroad anyway - the plugs/chargers are always wrong, and it's a long way to take it back if it breaks!

Amys

Don't forget if you bring back more than the allowance and get caught the onus is on you to PROVE you bought the goods in the UK.

Customs are not daft and if they want to they can charge you on all the stuff you bring back that you can't prove came form the UK. It's not a matter of saying its worn and arguing, they do not argue, if they beleive you bought it in the US and you cannot prove otyherwise they can charge you and if you do not pay confiscate it.

Its up to you if you want to break the law.

jojogirly

£145 is still quite alot though anyways (in dollars). We brought loads back and didnt spend that much. We took the labels off most things even though we didnt go over the limit (mainly as we bought clothes that we wore out there)

I have been twice and never been stopped so I guess its just your personal choice.

Have a nice holiday.

Backbiter

Truepat wrote: »

They could except that they are not allowed to.
Tescos wanted to sell Levis for about £15 but got stopped from doing so

by Levi's.