Hand carrying goods from the US....

[WayneH]

I have a cunning plan

I am off to the US with work in a couple of weeks and I am thinking about buying a turbo from ATP, having it delivered to our US office and then hand carrying it back to the UK (well it'll probably have to go in the hold as it'll be too heavy for hand luggage).

I was also going to gift wrap it while I'm in the US and mark it as a present for my brother.

Will I have to pay any import/customs charges?

[MGTurbo]

I have a cunning plan

I am off to the US with work in a couple of weeks and I am thinking about buying a turbo from ATP, having it delivered to our US office and then hand carrying it back to the UK (well it'll probably have to go in the hold as it'll be too heavy for hand luggage).

I was also going to gift wrap it while I'm in the US and mark it as a present for my brother.

Will I have to pay any import/customs charges?

I bought loads of stuff back with me from the States and didnt declare anything. Don't know the law but i would look into it more as the yanks prob couldnt tell the difference between a turbo or a bomb

[Ryan220]

Im sure I read somewhere years ago that if it is used you dont have to pay duty (may be talking arse here). Dirty it up a bit and if you get stopped say its second hand.

As MG Turbo said, the Elmers wont have a clue anyway - infact if you attach an alarmclock and wire to it and then fill it with Talcum powder, you'll probably get upgraded to first class.

[GeraintUk]

Im sure I read somewhere years ago that if it is used you dont have to pay duty (may be talking arse here). Dirty it up a bit and if you get stopped say its second hand.

As MG Turbo said, the Elmers wont have a clue anyway - infact if you attach an alarmclock and wire to it and then fill it with Talcum powder, you'll probably get upgraded to first class.

what you missed off was....

upgrade to first class CELL, along with Mr. Big who's in with the wardens

[pengy666]

it is dodgy tho the yanks will gun you down they are stupid

[Tallbloke]

it is dodgy tho the yanks will gun you down they are stupid

Only if your clearly identified as a British citizen..... so wayne wear a union jack t-shirt.....

I could suggest that you just mark it up as a present for someone.

chris

[Kelvyn]

Everything is Taxable on return!

Gifts have a slightly higher allowance at £30, everything else is £18.

Plenty of info on customs and excise site.

[DanB]

Take it apart and hide the parts in suitcase, hand luggage, socks etc etc claim it's part of your suitcase that the baggage handlers broke!!!

[Grant620]

Everything is Taxable on return!

Gifts have a slightly higher allowance at £30, everything else is £18.

Plenty of info on customs and excise site.

Even if you pay tax in the US?

[Kelvyn]

Im pretty sure you wouldn't have to pay tax in the US, with not being a US citizen, in the same way that visitors to the UK can claim VAT back/dont pay VAT.

We get truely done over here...
I get sick when buying parts from a scrapyard, as they add VAT on, when VAT was charged once already when the car was bought!!

The rate of tax varies, but always have to pay the VAT on top...

When looking at importing mountain bikes, (15% tax) but if you were to strip it down and bring it back as parts, the tax is then only 4.5%.

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/public/noticetra ... ide-EU.htm