Bring stuff home

[stuartmmcfc]

We’re off to the states in the summer and coincidentally I need a few bits for my Cougar.
They aren’t big or heavy but relatively expensive so instead of paying the shipping and import duty I’m thinking of just putting them in my suitcase.
Good idea or I’m I still going to have to pay?

[Matt Harper]

Are the parts obviously expensive items? Will you have receipts for them? Are they packaged so that they are easily identifiable?

If you declare them, yes, there will be a duty/tax charge.
If you don't declare them - and you get busted, there will be a duty/tax charge, possibly a fine and possibly confiscation of the items.
If you don't declare them and you don't get busted, result!

[designforlife]

I always buy parts in the US when i'm over there, never had a problem bringing them back in luggage, aside from some size issues necessitating buying new bigger luggage off amazon while in LA, and leaving a suitcase behind at the MiL's.

Just take any packaging or pricing off.

[stuartmmcfc]

Matt Harper said:

Are the parts obviously expensive items? Will you have receipts for them? Are they packaged so that they are easily identifiable?

If you declare them, yes, there will be a duty/tax charge.
If you don't declare them - and you get busted, there will be a duty/tax charge, possibly a fine and possibly confiscation of the items.
If you don't declare them and you don't get busted, result!

Re receipt, are you saying don’t keep it and loose any packaging?
It’s an electric headlight conversion kit so they’ll be a bit of wiring, a small motor and an actuator. As it’s specially made I doubt it’ll come in a branded box, more likely plastic bags.
Cost is around 600dollars. I’ll be in my electric wheelchair so I could argue they’re bits for that

[designforlife]

I would be amazed if you get pulled up on it.

Last time I came through heathrow from LA I had about 200 Hot wheels cars in packaging in my case and nobody batted an eyelid.

[Saleen836]

Last time I came back from Florida I had the following in my suitcase..



No one said anything and no problems, considering what it would look like on the x-ray I was a bit worried I would get pulled out

[LuS1fer]

designforlife said:

I would be amazed if you get pulled up on it.

Last time I came through heathrow from LA I had about 200 Hot wheels cars in packaging in my case and nobody batted an eyelid.

Probably because they're only a £1 in Asda.

[Matt Harper]

stuartmmcfc said:

Re receipt, are you saying don’t keep it and loose any packaging?
It’s an electric headlight conversion kit so they’ll be a bit of wiring, a small motor and an actuator. As it’s specially made I doubt it’ll come in a branded box, more likely plastic bags.
Cost is around 600dollars. I’ll be in my electric wheelchair so I could argue they’re bits for that

Yes - ditch the receipt and remove everything from it's packaging. If it were me - I travel with a computer and a backpack with all manner of wiring, accessories, power supplies etc. I'd just toss these components in with my computer stuff.

On a $600 dollar purchase, there would definitely be some duty and/ or VAT to pay.

[irocfan]

all this talk about binning the receipts - if customs wanted to look all they need to do is look at credit card payments. I think I'm right in saying it's up to you to prove innocence rather than them proving your guilt (if they really want to play nasty). Thing is though that the chances of that happening are slim to none - just don't boast about it on a forum....

[Bogsye]

I bring car bits back from the US from time to time. I looked at HMRC’s website and found this

‘Allowance for other goods
You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat).

If a single item’s worth more than your allowance you pay any duty or tax on its full value, not just the value above the allowance.

If you go over your allowance
You pay Customs Duty on anything you bring in above your allowance. The rate:

is 2.5% for goods worth up to £630
depends on the type of goods if they’re worth more than £630 - check by calling the VAT, Customs and Excise Helpline
You may also have to pay import VAT’

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-o...

[irocfan]

am I right in thinking that there are also different levels if the parts are used or if they're a gift?

[Matt Harper]

irocfan said:

all this talk about binning the receipts - if customs wanted to look all they need to do is look at credit card payments.

How could/would they do that?

[LuS1fer]

Matt Harper said:

How could/would they do that?

They can't but they do have the power to impose their own valuation, notably when a receipt is obviously fake.

[aeropilot]

I came back from Texas 3 years ago, with a pair of 1958 Buick finned ally brake drums in my suitcases, one in each case, and they are 12" diameter and weigh nearly 10kg each

Must have looked like big limpet mines going through the scanner so no surprise they opened up my case and ripped apart all the carefully wrapped bubble-wrap they were in, and just chucked it all back in.....and so ended up with a few stained and ripped clothes as a result

[LuS1fer]

aeropilot said:

I came back from Texas 3 years ago, with a pair of 1958 Buick finned ally brake drums in my suitcases, one in each case, and they are 12" diameter and weigh nearly 10kg each

Must have looked like big limpet mines going through the scanner so no surprise they opened up my case and ripped apart all the carefully wrapped bubble-wrap they were in, and just chucked it all back in.....and so ended up with a few stained and ripped clothes as a result

Yes, they don't give a crap. They cut off my padlock and the zip's tags to check out a brake adjuster kit I'd bought. Everything thrown back in.