Bringing two I-Pads through customs.

[alexandra uk]

We've decided to get the boys an I-Pad each for Xmas and would like some advice on bringing them back through customs.
We don't want to throw the packaging away as we want to wrap them properly as gifts. If we flatten the boxes and post them home, will we be ok if we get pulled because they'll be unpackaged?

 

[Disneymad]

Unfortunately if you do get pulled buy customs the onus is on you to prove you didn't purchase them on your trip, not on them to prove you did. So posting the packaging won't really make any difference in those circumstances.

 

[fairytale]

Sorry to change the subject slightly, but have you checked out the price comparison between the US and UK.

I would looking at getting our eldest son one also fopr christmas and never thought there would be much difference in price

 

[matt1902]

If you do want to take the chance it, bringing them through customs is your better option, because if you were to post them from the US to the UK, customs is much more likely to catch them.

Families with young children are statistically the least likely to get called over in the nothing to declare line.

However do note that I am in no way condoning trying to get things through customs

 

[Dollyrar]

Food for thought - I bought my girlfriend an Ipod Touch last Christmas in this country, and about a month ago the backlight decided to die of its own accord. As it was covered by the one year warranty still, I just took it back to Comet and they replaced it for a brand new one. If the Touch hadn't been in warranty and/or had been bought in another country, then it would apparently have cost us over £160 for Apple to replace the backlight. I googled it up out of interest, and apparently this type of fault occurs pretty regularly with Apple products.
Buying abroad for expensive products means that you lose the ability to just go and quote the sale of goods act to your local store (I used this on a near 2 year old games console once, and got them to provide me with a new one), which is something to think about when pricing up the saving

 

[luke]

We were told when buying our iPad that the warranty was world wide so could take it to an apple store here, with our receipt and it would be the same as if we had bought it here in the uk

 

[Cochise]

Sure they can link the item to being bought in the States by a code that will be on it. I may be wrong but I am sure I have read that

 

[luke]

I imagine they can, but it wouldn't matter as the warranty is a world wide one

 

[matt1902]

The original question in this thread prompted me to have a look at the tax-free allowances from the US.

This includes £390 per person of misc goods, however there is nothing I can see on the site that says how old that person has to be to have the tax-free allowance (apart from booze and cigs where you obviously have to be old enough to buy them in this country)...

 

[UKDEB]

There is no age limit, other than on alcohol and tobacco, but you can't combine allowances.

 

[scottishgirl87]

I imagine they can, but it wouldn't matter as the warranty is a world wide one

Yup I was also going to say this. Apple provides a worldwide warranty.

A few years ago in New York we bought 2 iPods and I certainly brought mine back in unopened packaging. Can't remember if I put it in my case or hand luggage though I originally thought case but then thought why would I have put an expensive item in there but I'm pretty sure I did.

 

[Disneymad]

I imagine they can, but it wouldn't matter as the warranty is a world wide one

Maybe he was referring to Customs rather than Apple. Rumour has it that Serial numbers can be traced back to country of purchase very easily for them so there's that extra facet to running the gauntlet through customs - if you say you haven't and then they easily can show you have then you've got the added complication of being caught out making a porky to HMCustoms.

One thing to bear in mind though, is that most people only think about items they've bought when shopping at the malls etc. However the one person I heard of who got stopped got stung HARD as if they've a mind to be pedantic then customs officers will sniff out every single thing in your luggage. Bottle of shampoo from Walmart - it's off your allowance, ride photo's - it's off your allowance, chocolate covered pretzels - it's off your allowance, that sticker sheet you bought for your scrap book - it's off your allowance.

You get the idea - if they've a mind to, they will pick you apart bit by bit and yes, this was someone coming back from WDW. I've seen people say that customs are only interested in 'real criminals' and not in tourists...it's definitely not true.

 

[PChef]

The most basic IPad is going to cost in the region of $500 so assuming a $1.5 to the £1 rate that is £375, which is uncomfortably close to the limit in my opinion. What about any clothes, trainers, presents you are bringing back?Customs are not stupid, you are running a big risk if you choose to flout the LAW.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Slightly off topic, and I'm not condoning trying to bump customs in any way but.....

are Customs desks even manned these days?! I can't remember the last time I came through Glasgow (from the US) and the Customs desk was manned, let alone anyone stopping at it! A few of my friends have also mentioned it when coming back

 

[wayneg]

The most basic IPad is going to cost in the region of $500 so assuming a $1.5 to the £1 rate that is £375, which is uncomfortably close to the limit in my opinion. What about any clothes, trainers, presents you are bringing back?Customs are not stupid, you are running a big risk if you choose to flout the LAW.

I agree customs are not stupid and the law should not be flouted but I think you have your figures wrong.
$500 @ $1.50 = £333, but todays rate is $1.56 so £320 which is well within the £390 allowance, if its a family of 4 they should have more than enough allowance without breaking any import laws.

And yes they are manned, they were pulling people on our flight last month.

 

[PChef]

I apologise for my calculation error (maths was never my strong point!).

Anything over the most basic IPad model would be very close to the limit.

 

[wayneg]

I apologise for my calculation error (maths was never my strong point!).

Anything over the most basic IPad model would be very close to the limit.

No problem

OP needs to check their figures, if under the limit no problem, if over then declare, its not worth the risk, at todays exchange rate the allowance is $608pp

 

[Disneymad]

And yes they are manned, they were pulling people on our flight last month.

They also aren't just watching you from the obvious customs area ^^

 

[wayneg]

They also aren't just watching you from the obvious customs area ^^

no, theres a lot of mirrors around that area, I doubt they are there for checking their hair.

 

[todai]

We've decided to get the boys an I-Pad each for Xmas and would like some advice on bringing them back through customs.
We don't want to throw the packaging away as we want to wrap them properly as gifts. If we flatten the boxes and post them home, will we be ok if we get pulled because they'll be unpackaged?

I would just take them in my carry-on with the box. Customs has better things to do than to hassle people for a few ££s over the limit. The few times I was stopped (years ago), they were more interested in illegal contraband (which I DID NOT have).

Unless you're bringing 10 back to resale, then I don't see that as disregarding the law.


BTW, if you have a UK Costco card, you can use it in the US. You might find the iPad there for less? I'm positive Apple still will warrant them item, if from an authorised retailer.