Returning personal effects to the UK after less than a year abroad

Trek98

Hi,

Hopefully this is the right board for this but feel free to let me know.

I'm returning to the UK from a working holiday in Japan. I had my PC shipped here after I arrived last autumn and will be shipping it back as it's too tedious / heavy for checked luggage.

I've been in Japan for 10 months. I tried to apply for Transfer of Residence with HMRC but they responded with a boiler-plate "intent to refuse" letter because I won't have been here for 12+ months. I've emailed back explaining why I'm cutting my Working Holiday short by 2 months (financials + other bits) but I don't think it will make a difference.

The PC is a few years old, has been used and owned by me in the UK and all that so no issues there. I can prove ownership as well. But will I be able to get this sent back easily without customs / VAT charges as it's just my personal stuff? I am thinking of using Send My Bag or a similar service to do it.

I can see a potential alternative being Returned Goods Relief but apparently that has to be claimed at import, i.e you don't apply for it beforehand so not sure what to do on that one. Would anyone be able to advise? Much appreciated.

sgthammer

We had to apply for TORR when Mum came home from abroad, so you have my sympathy. At least if it's only a computer your inventory will be easier.

As far as I can make out, you've been correctly advised re the 12 month thing, so Returned Goods Relief looks like the way to go. The difference in procedure is that you don't have to apply for approval in advance – "time of import" just means you give the relevant documentation to the shipping company and let them handle it, not that you have to personally be on the UK dockside to claim the money back.

I'd still be backing up my data to something you can carry in hand luggage, just in case anything goes wrong.

MattMattMattUK

In relationship to backing up the data I would probably be pulling the drives and bringing them back in my hand luggage.

flaneurs_lobster

Just out of curiosity, why was it necessary to ship a PC to Japan? I'd have thought that, of all places, most tech would be available locally?

Something very specialised?

Trek98

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82103787#Comment_82103787

Thanks - yeah it was how I go about the documentation where I wasn't 100% on

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82103793#Comment_82103793

That's exactly what I did - plus my GPU in its own zip-case.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82103838#Comment_82103838

If you consider the cost of the same / similar motherboard, CPU, case, RAM and PSU, would more or less be the same as the £250 I spent to ship via courier. Then you would either have to try and sell it on for far less when its time to go home or just get rid of them.

I will probably just forgo the case next time, that's for sure.

sgthammer

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82103862#Comment_82103862

The claim form is here.

Some of the questions, e.g. about previous import, won't apply so don't get snared by them. Put N/A if you want to make it absolutely clear you haven't made a mistake. It's important to remember that while these big moves are a hassle to us, to the bureaucrats and shipping agents who deal with them all the time it's just a regular Tuesday and they no longer even realise it's complicated.

It asks for your previous export C88 form - did you get one of those when you shipped to Japan in the first place?

Trek98

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82103883#Comment_82103883

Thanks for that. I actually tried to contact DHL to get any customs information they had when I bought the postage from them, but I can't seem to get through. I only have the invoice they issued.

MyRealNameToo

Do you have the original invoice when you first purchased it to show that UK VAT has already been paid on it?

Trek98

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82105408#Comment_82105408

Yes, hopefully I can also get the C88 or similar customs declaration from DHL's side but won't hold my horses.

Trek98

Update: So, I'm not exactly sure how, but I wasn't charged any duty at all! I used Send My Bag to deliver it from me to me - DHL only asked me to submit a form (web form, not C88) and the rest was history :)