Car bits in suitcase - receipt or not?
Discussion
Morning all,
I've got a box of small but expensive vintage car parts (some dashboard gauges) to bring back in my suitcase from America where I've acquired them.
I'm reasonably sure the TSA is going to take a look anyway due to the way they'll x-ray, question is do I stick the receipt in the box too? In the box it'll add legitimacy that they're not dodgy, but my worry is I'll then get clobbered for import tax as though I'd shipped them via postage.
What do we think please?
I've got a box of small but expensive vintage car parts (some dashboard gauges) to bring back in my suitcase from America where I've acquired them.
I'm reasonably sure the TSA is going to take a look anyway due to the way they'll x-ray, question is do I stick the receipt in the box too? In the box it'll add legitimacy that they're not dodgy, but my worry is I'll then get clobbered for import tax as though I'd shipped them via postage.
What do we think please?
ChemicalChaos said:
Morning all,
I've got a box of small but expensive vintage car parts (some dashboard gauges) to bring back in my suitcase from America where I've acquired them.
I'm reasonably sure the TSA is going to take a look anyway due to the way they'll x-ray, question is do I stick the receipt in the box too? In the box it'll add legitimacy that they're not dodgy, but my worry is I'll then get clobbered for import tax as though I'd shipped them via postage.
What do we think please?
TSA don't care about the value of your gauges, they only care if they're going to go 'bang' on the plane. It's the customs chaps on this side of the pond that will be sniffing about to see who is trying to avoid paying import duty on whatever it is that they're trying to bring back into the UK. I've got a box of small but expensive vintage car parts (some dashboard gauges) to bring back in my suitcase from America where I've acquired them.
I'm reasonably sure the TSA is going to take a look anyway due to the way they'll x-ray, question is do I stick the receipt in the box too? In the box it'll add legitimacy that they're not dodgy, but my worry is I'll then get clobbered for import tax as though I'd shipped them via postage.
What do we think please?
The personal allowance for bringing goods into the UK is £390, are your gauges worth more than that? Either way, I'd be tempted to keep the receipt with me rather than leaving it in the bag. If you do look shifty and get stopped while trying to dash down the 'Nothing to Declare' lane then at least you'll be able to show the value of the gauges rather than having a customs officer try to work out what they're worth!
Just use a case with TSA locks. That way they wont damage your case if they do open it.
But the scanners are so good these days they dont need to open 9 out of 10 times something is flagged.
The only time I have seen bags being scanned upon exiting the airport is in Mexico.
In the UK you just pick your bags up and leave. If you are stopped, well thats another situation but I am pretty sure they are looking for illegal stuff and have the intel these days. Given the US is so crazy expensive the days of people coming back with half price goods is basically over.
These car parts you picked up a flea market.... yeah 20 bucks mate.
But the scanners are so good these days they dont need to open 9 out of 10 times something is flagged.
The only time I have seen bags being scanned upon exiting the airport is in Mexico.
In the UK you just pick your bags up and leave. If you are stopped, well thats another situation but I am pretty sure they are looking for illegal stuff and have the intel these days. Given the US is so crazy expensive the days of people coming back with half price goods is basically over.
These car parts you picked up a flea market.... yeah 20 bucks mate.
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