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Customs & VAT on gift ordered from USA that will return to USA

Hello everyone,

First time poster here and have a query that I'm hoping to put to you guys.

I am thinking of ordering an engagement ring from the USA for my American girlfriend, with it being delivered to Scotland where I live. She is American and lives there, but will be in the UK for 5 weeks in August-September at which point I hope to propose. She will then return taking the ring with her.

Am I still really going to be charged customs fees & VAT for a product/gift that will remain in the UK for less than a month, and then leave?

Hopefully someone can help me out. I'm a bit confused about the rules haha.

Thanks
Paul

Comments

  • xylophone
    xylophone Posts: 45,915 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    What is so special about the ring from the USA?

    Wouldn't it be simpler to order in the UK?

    You might look at an on line site like https://www.gemporia.com/en-gb/auction/gemporia/ if you are happy to order on line?
  • davetrousers
    davetrousers Posts: 5,862 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Sorry to be blunt but are you sure this isn't some kind of scam?
    .....

  • It could be, although she is American and has spotted an American ring that I guess she likes. I would have asked her to bring it but the ring delivery date isn't until after she leaves to come over and it would also spoil the surprise.

    It's not a scam - check out James Allen
  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 11,568 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If she's telling you about rings she likes, the only surprise she'll get is if she doesn't get the proposal.
    Make £2026 in 2026
    Prolific £177.46, TCB £10.90, Everup £27.79, Roadkill £1.17
    Total £217.32 10.7%

    Make £2025 in 2025  Total £2241.23/£2025 110.7%
    Prolific £1062.50, Octopoints £6.64, TCB £492.05, Tesco Clubcard challenges £89.90, Misc Sales £321, Airtime £70, Shopmium £53.06, Everup £106.08, Zopa CB £30, Misc survey £10

    Make £2024 in 2024 Total £1410/£2024 70%
    Make £2023 in 2023 Total: £2606.33/£2023 128.8%






  • uknick
    uknick Posts: 1,839 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    There are processes for allowing someone to import temporarily and then re-export goods from the EU without paying duty and VAT. We used them for importing expensive demo kit to UK shows from the USA.


    But, I'm not sure how much trouble they are for an individual to arrange on a one off basis, and whether the effort is worth the cost.
  • Apodemus
    Apodemus Posts: 3,410 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Sorry to be blunt but are you sure this isn't some kind of scam?

    No, He has probably met her before! :)
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