Importing to UAE

[El Capitano]

Hi guys,

whats the rules on importing items to the UAE?

I *might* be moving there at some point and was looking at prices of electronics there. It seems I can save roughly £600 on buying my new TV (samsung D8000) in the Uk rather than in the UAE. - either that or I'm looking in the wrong places out there!
So if I bought in the Uk and took it out with me (I would be given an allowance of air cargo to take out with me) would I be hit by import tax or find it is difficult to bring a new electronic item in?

[Mattt]

Friends took in containers (of their used possessions) and I don't remember too many hassles with customs.

[IanUAE]

Isn't it more a case of not bringing alcohol, religious artefacts or adult viewing material?

Edited by IanUAE on Thursday 8th March 09:12

[dictys]

I shipped my whole house contents when I move here in one container , no problems with anything, the only thing customs checked was a coffee table.

[El Capitano]

cheers all.... seems like I am better off buying in the UK then

[halloumba]

El Capitano said:

cheers all.... seems like I am better off buying in the UK then

Just made the move and can honestly say you are! Surprised at some of the prices here - great place to live though!

[omohat]

halloumba said:

El Capitano said:

cheers all.... seems like I am better off buying in the UK then

Just made the move and can honestly say you are! Surprised at some of the prices here - great place to live though!

If you think Dubai is expensive, Doha would make your eyes water!

[shirt]

El Capitano said:

Hi guys,

whats the rules on importing items to the UAE?

I *might* be moving there at some point and was looking at prices of electronics there. It seems I can save roughly £600 on buying my new TV (samsung D8000) in the Uk rather than in the UAE. - either that or I'm looking in the wrong places out there!
So if I bought in the Uk and took it out with me (I would be given an allowance of air cargo to take out with me) would I be hit by import tax or find it is difficult to bring a new electronic item in?

rules - no porn, guns, anti-islamic material or anything made in israel. i am trying to forget my customs experience!

when you come here for residency, there is no duty to pay. import duty is otherwise 5% iirc.

don't forget you can claim to VAT back for any purchases in your last 3mths in the uk. i normally wait until i'm back there to buy big things - bought a pair of B&W headphones this time and an impulse purchase bass guitar!

for the tv, i'd check to see if it has a global warranty. the model no. will be different for this region. tv's aren't renown for longevity, i'd prefer the piece of mind of a local purchase. my samsung LED was only £50 more than the UK price.

[Mattt]

VAT back only from certain shops though who use the VAT 407 form?

[shirt]

you'd be surprised just who are subscribed to the tax free scheme. most chains and certainly departments stores. it would certainly test john lewis' customer service to replace a knackered tv in dub!

[Asterix]

Most retail places in the UK will do the VAT thing - However, actually going through the process when you get to the airport to claim it back (dunno if that has changed) is such a ballache that I've often given up and taken the hit.

[Harris_I]

It's still a ballache. Almost as if HMRC made it deliberately vexatious in order to avoid paying out....

[shirt]

if flying out of manchester, it is no ballache at all.

make sure the form is filled in by the retailer, fill your details in, staple receipts to the form, stick in an envelope and drop it in their postbox. a few weeks later the money is credited to your card. i am told you can also do it online.

[smileymikey]

If you do ship a container load. Don't do what my sister in law did, all there possessions were stuck in customs for a month....due to them finding her Rabbit