Customs question

thriftymanc

My mum's friend is going to Florida next week to visit relatives and wants to know if credit card purchases are included in the £145 customs allowance on what you can bring into the UK? I mean, in addition to what you declare on the way into the country.

Before anyone says it, no she doesn't want to try and wriggle out of paying tax that she's meant to! She's just concerned about spending money on her credit card on something that she's not bringing back (e.g. treating her nieces to clothes or cosmetics or something) or even just paying for a meal out or something, and then getting a nasty letter through the post later on, saying she should have paid tax on these items because they've checked her credit card statements and seen that she's spent money in the US that she never declared. Does anyone know? My mum thinks she's heard somewhere that this happens but she "can't be too sure, you never know these government people spying on you" (in her words) so now her friend's really worried!

dmg24

Money spent in the US for goods and services that will remain in the US are not counted. Money (in whatever form) spent on goods to bring back to the UK should be declared.

richardw

thriftymanc wrote: »

the government going through all her credit card details

Do they really do that!

thriftymanc

richardw wrote: »

Do they really do that!

I have no idea, that's why I'm asking! I hope not though, it seems very dodgy to me.

hammy_the_hammer

as previously said all she is responsible for is what she physically brings back. my credit card statement would have items on it eg clothes that were presents for US citizens which remained there .
i would imagine that the credit card statement may be used when your average WAG comes back with tens of thousands of designer stuff

Bigbaldgit

"They" do not go through your credit card transactions, nor will they look beyond the contents of your baggage and person at the time you enter the UK.
Anything you buy in the US will bear US taxes and if it stays there it is no different to a US resident buying the stuff.
Anything you physically bring back to the UK over the £145 will incur UK taxes and you should declare them accordingly.

BBG

Nordictat2

Damn...only £145 you can bring it? Over here in Norway it's over £500!

I've never heard of customs chgecking your credit card. That's non of their business what you spend your money on your holiday and besides not all the money everyone spends is used on things to bring back home anyways...that would take up too much of their time and we all know how customs people like to keep things smoothly haha

hammy_the_hammer

if anyone could i would imagine customs and excise would be the ones who could get at your credit card records ...IMHO they would only do this (if they could) where the potential offence is in the thousands of pounds

zfrl

Unless she nips over to Florida every week or so & the IR are already watching her for money laundering or something there is no reason why Customs will be interested in CC spending.

How do these rumours start?

PandaPants_2

If she takes the tags and prices off the stuff shes bought how are customs to know she bought it and didnt just bring it with her as luggage?
If shes still paranoid she could post the stuff back, not sure about costs though.
We travel abroad quite a lot for shopping and spend £100's at a time and have never even been stopped by customs.

Nordictat2

PandaPants wrote: »

If she takes the tags and prices off the stuff shes bought how are customs to know she bought it and didnt just bring it with her as luggage?
If shes still paranoid she could post the stuff back, not sure about costs though.
We travel abroad quite a lot for shopping and spend £100's at a time and have never even been stopped by customs.

Yeah I agree..especially with clothes. I do that usually. How are they to know they are new or you've had em for awhile