View Full Version : Importing laptops
Hi all,
If I buy a laptop computer while I'm out in the US, how much duty and VAT can I expect to pay for it when I return to the UK. I realise it'll be a %age of the value, but does anyone know, or have experience of paying import duties? Or is everyone a bit naughty and not declare it?
Thanks!
I think it is 10% import duty + 17.1/2% VAT.
I'm afraid I'm a bit naughty... I have bought computer stuff out from the USA on several occasions and just walk through the green channel... sorry!
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
22-06-2005, 02:35
I'd watch what you say as forums are read by all sorts of people, including members of the Police force and I would assume Customs & Excise.
We could never encourage anyone to break the law, no matter how well intentioned.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Badger
I'm afraid I'm a bit naughty... I have bought computer stuff out from the USA on several occasions and just walk through the green channel... sorry!
[/quote]
Andy,
also bear in mind what happens if it goes wrong and it comes under a warranty repair. There is a chance it would not be honoured outside of the US.
I bought one last year and then forgot that the electricity for the mains was completely different. So I bought a voltage converter and sadly it just wore my computer down within months. $2000 laptop dead within 6 months. For what you save it's just not worth it.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by wilfy
Andy,
also bear in mind what happens if it goes wrong and it comes under a warranty repair. There is a chance it would not be honoured outside of the US.
[/quote]
Most well known makes have world wide warranties and it is not a problem[msnwink]
I have bought my last 3 laptops form the US and not had a prob with power supply. I always double check that it is 100/110 - 240V - I haven't yet seen one that's not.
Warranty cover is also worth checking for yourself - just go to the manufacturers website and the info will be there somewhere. When you are buying in the US store they will tell you your warranty will be no good in Europe as they want to sell you an extended International Warranty. I personally don't think these are worthwhile as I don't keep my laptops long enough.
dolphinv
22-06-2005, 15:00
I wonder could you buy one as a bussiness expense and put it against taxes?
dolphinv
22-06-2005, 15:01
Another thought, why don't you do a serch on say Dell.co.uk and Dell.com and compare prices....you may find after taxes you don't save much! And $ is high at the moment!
I believe I'm correct in saying that you can claim the VAT back over here
pieman790
22-06-2005, 15:52
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ana
I believe I'm correct in saying that you can claim the VAT back over here
[/quote]
I believe you can, but only if you are VAT regisitered
i bought mine from staples in the US,so if anything did go wrong with mine i should be able to take it to a staples in this country. i think about 90%of laptops now come with 110-240v adaptors, that is standard across most eletrical items nowa days.
luckylady
22-06-2005, 18:23
I bought my Dell laptop from the US with mport tax and VAT still was a bargain
I explained the situation he put an ammandment on the warranty to cover both
He confirmed this with Dell by phone
Barbara
Thanks for all the advice. Checking out dell.com and dell.co.uk, the price difference is huge, even taking into accouny paying import taxes. For the same spec laptop, I pay 637.50GBP in the US and 1,135GBP in the UK, inc import taxes. No competition really!!
if you "did" buy a lap top from the states, and got stopped would customs have to prove you bought it on that visit? because you "could" say you bought it on another visit?
Ray&Sarah
23-06-2005, 22:12
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by AndyB01
Thanks for all the advice. Checking out dell.com and dell.co.uk, the price difference is huge, even taking into accouny paying import taxes. For the same spec laptop, I pay 637.50GBP in the US and 1,135GBP in the UK, inc import taxes. No competition really!!
[/quote]
Wow thats a big difference, definately worth your while buying in the USA.[msnscared][msnsmile]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by dj_padd
if you "did" buy a lap top from the states, and got stopped would customs have to prove you bought it on that visit? because you "could" say you bought it on another visit?[/quote]Doesn't matter which visit you bought it on, they'd soon find out you hadn't paid the necessary on it!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by dj_padd
if you "did" buy a lap top from the states, and got stopped would customs have to prove you bought it on that visit? because you "could" say you bought it on another visit?
[/quote]
I suspect you would have to prove you didn't by it on that visit[msnoo]
its the same with clothes, how many people have not declared them?
Steve and Dawn
24-06-2005, 13:48
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Rocco
I bought one last year and then forgot that the electricity for the mains was completely different. So I bought a voltage converter and sadly it just wore my computer down within months. $2000 laptop dead within 6 months. For what you save it's just not worth it.
[/quote]
Could you not have bought a UK power supply for it?
WE declared a wake board [ waterskiing doofer] once, and it was incredibly reasonable. We bought it " used" [ and had the shop keeper put that down on receipt] so it was about $400 - I am going back 12 years here, when allowable amount was about £36.00, but we declared it, and the only other things we had bought that holiday, which were a pair of trainers and a T-shirt [ I wasn't an experienced shopper then] and it cost us £11.00!!! Not worth sneaking through green channels - especially if you are taking your laptop with you again - just rest easy at night!!
dick wroe
07-07-2005, 04:16
i bought a laptop and ipod put them in my suitcase when i got back the cases had a note to say theyd been opened (there was a lot of heavy tableware) no mention was made of the laptop or ipod
That's because the US security opened them but of course you declared them to UK Customs.
One issue is that US laptops will not have the '£' key.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by RIS
One issue is that US laptops will not have the '£' key.
[/quote]
You can get round that[msnwink]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by dick wroe
i bought a laptop and ipod put them in my suitcase when i got back the cases had a note to say theyd been opened (there was a lot of heavy tableware) no mention was made of the laptop or ipod
[/quote]
You are brave putting them in your case[msnsmile2]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by RIS
One issue is that US laptops will not have the '£' key.
[/quote]
Hold Alt ..click using the RH numeric keyboard 0163 = £
chrisflowers
18-07-2005, 17:22
If you buy a Mac laptop, you just change the language from US to British and the hash (pound) key becomes the £
Horray!
PS never pack a laptop in a suitcase. Take it as hand luggage, as used goods. (It can belong to your Florida Business!!)