RE: Customs,

[su su]

I have justed posted this on my original post but I thought it may get missed, so I have decided to do this as a new thread.


Firstly I would like to apologise for starting a argument on these boards, I did not mean this to happen.

I honestly did not realise about the £145>

I ACTUALLY DO NOT SMOKE and discourage anyone smoking around any child. The cigarettes were for the very kind person looking after my dog, without her I would not be able to go away at all.

After the last 2 years of losing 3 very dear people (my DH, my dad and my mum ) who I loved dearly, I was so looking forward to my holiday, which was spoilt at the end of it, due to my own stupidity. Which I can honestly say I have learnt by.

I DID NOT DELIBERATELY TRY AND DEFRAUD. I can only say that after that experience which made feel so very ill whereas i nearly fainted at the time, it will never happen again.

The last thing I wanted was sympathy, I know I was very luck and deserved what I got. I was only trying to send a warning to other people.

 

[Janice]

Hi Sue

Shirley has posted on your other thread, but I also want you to know that you have nothing to apologise for - and you certainly dont have to justify yourself at all.

It is only by learning from others experience that we are able to share our wealth of knowledge here on the Dis - I am sorry that it turned out that way for you - but I do know that others will ceratainly learn from it. Thank you for sharing it with us.

I hope you will continue to post - and hope that the rest of your holiday was a wonderful experience

 

[Sue F UK]

Hi Sue,

I am sorry if you feel that some of our members have 'come down on you' over this thread. The point you raised was a valid one - many of the people on these boards are first time travellers to Orlando who definately are not aware of the limits imposed by customs - you never see Carol Smillie on the holiday programme saying "what a great Mall -but don't forget to pay your customs bill on the way home!!

Thankyou for posting your story. I think that it has highlighted what can happen if you don't read all the literature and take heed of the warnings when travelling abroad, especially for first time travellers who look on these boards for first hand experiences and advice to help them so that their holiday is not spoilt as yours was.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

To be honest Sue I had no idea what the shopping limit was either and if you hadn't of posted I still wouldn't have known
I think having travelled a number of times to Orlando I kinda take it for granted that I can bring back all my shopping.


I'm travelling on my own in December and hopefully gonna get some christmas presents whilst I'm out there but I realise now that I need to be careful and perhaps not have too much luggage as I think they may suspect a solo traveller with 2 VERY large suitcases.

Thanks again for posting I for one WAS sorry to hear of your plight and appreciated the heads up

 

[BevS97]

Hi Sue,

I think most of us must go over the £145 limit - it's not a lot at all if you have to include ride photo's, t-shirts, Mickey beanies etc on top of any clothes or other goodies that you buy.

I realise that we are supposed to pay on a single expensive item, such as a camera or other luxury item, but I don't think any of us give much thought to the myriad of smaller purchases that we all make. I'm also curious how many people voluntarily go through the red channel?
In Newcastle airport, there isn't even a red channel, they have a red telephone on the wall and it says 'if you need to declare anything, please pick up this phone'. I can't say I've ever seen anyone using it

Bev

 

[Rain]

What happens when you go through the red channel do you just declare what you have over the limit, Do they then search all your baggage.

 

[pauldents]

When you go through the red channel you tell them what you have bought and how much it totals. They then work out the duty you owe on the purchases from a book (not all items have the same tax bands). They have a cash register to make your payment. If you are honest with them they don't usually go through the rest of your luggage and bear in mind if you have purchased £146.00 worth of items, you will be charged duty on the £146.00 not the £1.00 over the limit.

Paul

 

[harryhornet]

Sue,

I am also very pleased that you posted your warning. I hadn't even given a thought to there being a limit on what I can bring back.

I will be very careful in the light of your experience. Thanks.

Just can't wait for next August!