Page 1 of Goin to the u.s.a.

So first off dvds, i am going to buy some when i am over there is there anythink i should know before buying them i.e being taxed when getting back etc etc. Also do the americans use the Kodak Advantix films if so i will wait till i get there before buying any films for the camera.

Thanks

Lucky old you!

l am not sure how much you can bring back with out getting taxed. But each time l have been, l take all lables on clothes so its hard for them to tell if l bought them there. l would unwrap any dvds bought if l were you. You can say how much you paid for them. But to be honest l never see dvds that cheap when l go. Websites are always better and cheaper, and remember each state charges a few extra "bucks" for tax.

ln any event the chances of you getting searched are slim, unless you are a member of Al Qaeda.

As for Advantix, yes, along with the motor car, hot running water and the wireless. l believe they also have an eating place called McDonalds!

l think you are better off buying film over here from Boots or Superdrug as they usually do 3 for 2 offers. Buying at airport may be cheap when you get into the "tax free" section. Personally a digital camera is what you soud have, they are great!

Have a good trip!

I think from when I went to OZ you are allowed about £123 worth of goods before you are taxed. That was 1996 so it may have got up. If you are traveling with someone you can pool your tax allowance.

whenever i go to the states i buy s*** loads of dvds and just put them all at the bottom of my bag. ive never been checked and i think coming from the states youre unlikely to! there are many bargains to be had, you just have to look in the right places. i recommend walmart, k-mart and best buy. best buy is an electrical heaven. think b & q or asda but with movies, games, cds etc... second hand stuff is usually good too. check out any blockbuster and hollywood video rental stores. the stores in the malls usually charge more but check out the big stores as ive said and youll pick up plenty.

This item was edited on Friday, 31st May 2002, 16:52

I found the below on a site


NB: If you bring something in worth more than the limit of £145.00( Hooray!), you will have to pay charges on the full value, not just on the value above £145.00( Boo!). If you are travelling as a family or group, you cannot pool your individual allowances towards an item worth more than the limit( Boo!). You will have to pay charges on the full value of the item.(Boo!)

the point here is, if your coming back from america youre highly unlikely to get searched. youve more chance of being struck by lightening...well maybe not but you see what im getting at. all clothes etc take the tags off and dvds just stick in the bottom of your bag. ive been to the states around ten times on my own or with family and ive NEVER been searched!!!!! now thailand thats a different story altogether.........

You WILL be taxed on anything that you bought in the USA, IF you are stopped, but you will be allowed about £120 before they get their calculators out! I have been to the USA several times & been stopped twice. One time they were convinced that my camera was American, gave me the 3rd degree, tried to get me to "confess" & eventually told me that I would be in trouble when they found out it was American! I begged them to ring the shop where I bought it(in the UK) right there & then, to prove my innocence, but that was too easy for them & they chose not to, instead piled on more verbal pressure to get me to "confess" to something that I hadn`t done. Eventually they had to let me go-& I had to re-pack my bags & everything else myself! Thanks guys! The only good thing about it was that they didn`t get the rubber gloves out!
Having said all this, the chances of actually getting stopped are slim, so you have to weigh up the risks against the gains before you decide what to do. Dvd`s are deffo cheaper on the web though, so it`s not really worth it. Try www.dvdboxoffice.com-loads of cheap stuff, all post free! Good luck!

This item was edited on Friday, 31st May 2002, 23:22