Page 1 of Value of goods that can return from America!!

I`m off shortly to New York and was wondering if anyone new the cash limit of goods that you can bring home without declaring.

If more and don`t declare are they likely to discover?

Thanks

i believe it is £125 per person plus the usual duty free limits

Nope, it`s £145 for non-excise goods (that is, anything legal that`s not wines/spirits, tobacco products or perfume/eau de toilette).
Which at the current exchange rate is about $270 ish I think?

This item was edited on Sunday, 27th August 2006, 21:14

They will increase this to $1000 sometime this year. However it`s only up to you what you bring through. Generally if you buy ipods, laptops, psp`s and watches - you can unpack the gadget fest and plead the 5th.

The exchange rate at the moment is sick - a 60GB Video Ipod is £200 (£299 here) - buy through Amazon.com before you leave, get it shipped to your hotel and you won`t pay sales tax either.



PS - Unless you look dodgy, they won`t touch you - if they talk to you about your items. Tell them you`ve had them a while and you`ve already paid duty on them. They`re too lazy to check........although i`m not condoning this and you should never break the law (however dumbass they are).

This item was edited on Monday, 28th August 2006, 11:06

Quote:
Unless you look dodgy, they won`t touch you - if they talk to you about your items. Tell them you`ve had them a while and you`ve already paid duty on them. They`re too lazy to check........

Really ?

I work in the freight/customs clearance business.
I had a client try to say his video camera was over 6 months old,and therefore free from duty.
Customs asked him and I to attend an interview with them.
Once they read the "anything you say" stuff,they again asked him when he bought it.
He claimed he got it for his wife`s christmas,some 7 months previously.

"really" they said "well can you explain why that serial number wasn`t made until only 2 months ago"

He was fined the value of the camera,plus the duty and VAT.
".

I`m off to the Big Apple Next Week .. handy to know the info!





My DVD collection





JamesL

I seem to remember being told that if you went to the states and say bought some golf clubs, that if you hit each club at least once before flying back then you were ok to do so F.O.C.

Is this the same with the electrical goods then, ie unpack them etc and it as though you took them over and dont have any costs on returning home?

SHEPHERDS PIEEEEEEEE
Y.N.W.A
"TIGHT"

Unless it is something like bowfer`s case where the item has been made very recently, I dont see what can be done.

Earlier trip to San Francisco (Easter this year), we had about £3000 worth of stuff - mainly label clothing in our bags (and the wife wore what was clearly a very expensive coat). All labels off, out of packing and refolded. Got stopped, luggage searched, asked questions about a set of knives I was bringing in (kitchen knives before you start off), but nothing else.

Similar experience yesterday while coming back from NYC.

BTW - big thanks for the tip off on Century 21. Awesome store and good deals esp. if you cant go to the out of town malls.

T¦M3CH4S3R

"I am worst at what I do the best, for this gift I feel blessed. I found it hard... it was hard to find. Oh well, Whatever! NEVERMIND"

A few years back i bought a snow board in the states. Saved myself about £200. They told me you use it so it would get some marks on the bottom. That way customs could not touch me. They all so said I should say my other board was for different terain as it had a different profile and was alot more flexible.

Dr 42%er


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....