Duty Free question...shot in the dark..

[General Panic]

Hi guys

Bit off a long shot but wondering if anyone can help with this question.

I just received a voucher from PC World/Dixons for £700 in compensation for a busted imac.
I would like to replace the imac with one of the new model 13" Macbook pro's which i can buy now for £999.

my brain wave is to see if the Dixons duty free shop at my local airport would accept said voucher and let me buy (assuming they have one) my macbook at a big cost saving when i depart for Orlando next month.

My big worry is then bringing said machine back into the UK would i be hit by customs or the fact i bought the machine in the UK exempt me from this tax?

I bought an ipod one year before we flew out and didn't give the customs a second thought on returning but a bigger purchase like this has me a bit more concerned.

Anyone bought something like a lap top on the way out before or know the in's and out's of customs laws?

 

[LeaversOnTour]

Assuming you keep the receipt which proves where you bought it i think it would be fine.

Otherwise they surely wouldnt be allowed to sell these items duty free. They would know that the majority are holiday makers and therefore be returning to the UK.

Again with the vouchers, it should say on the T & C whether you can use the vouchers, i'd give their help desk a call and confirm. Or email them, so that you can print out their response so that the cashier has no option but to accept.

Common Sense says it shouldnt make a difference. But oh how these companies seem to have misplaced most of theirs

 

[2Tiggies]

If you buy it on your way to Florida, take it with you, and use it there, as far as I would be concerned, it's a "used" item on your return and thereby automatically exempt from duties

FWIW, I wanted to get some camera gear on our way out last year and just googled the number of the store and asked if they stocked the items I wanted so I knew before I went. May be worth doing that so that you at least know when you leave that it's there (or not) so you aren't disappointed

 

[Elise79]

I think you could possibly be liable as the MacBook would exceed the £390 limit for brining goods back into the UK.

Items sold in the duty free shops are not always tax free so that would be worth checking too however if they are tax free I would guess they are treated as international purchases and subject to the import rules on return.

Try giving HMRC a call - they are the only ones that can give you a definitive answer contact details here

 

[Samaya]

Hi guys

Bit off a long shot but wondering if anyone can help with this question.

I just received a voucher from PC World/Dixons for £700 in compensation for a busted imac.
I would like to replace the imac with one of the new model 13" Macbook pro's which i can buy now for £999.

my brain wave is to see if the Dixons duty free shop at my local airport would accept said voucher and let me buy (assuming they have one) my macbook at a big cost saving when i depart for Orlando next month.

My big worry is then bringing said machine back into the UK would i be hit by customs or the fact i bought the machine in the UK exempt me from this tax?

I bought an ipod one year before we flew out and didn't give the customs a second thought on returning but a bigger purchase like this has me a bit more concerned.

Anyone bought something like a lap top on the way out before or know the in's and out's of customs laws?

If your departing from Glasgow try ringing Dixons direct on 0141 889 3228 or Gatwick on 01293 569 509 and ask your question about customs, Dixons Stores are now only at airport locations, so you might want to also ask if they will accept your voucher.

You can also Reserve Before You Fly, but not sure if that will work with a voucher, their web site states...."Why not benefit from our Reserve Before You Fly service the next time you fly? By calling the store up to 7 days before you travel you can reserve an item and buy before you fly"

Check out for store details ..........
www.dixonstravel.com/stores/glasgow.aspx
http://www.dixonstravel.com/stores/gatwick.aspx
www.dixonstravel.com/reserve-before-you-fly.aspx

Good Luck....

 

[General Panic]

Thanks guys for the replies and links. Going by thoughts not as cut and dried as i was afraid off