Sales Tax

[barry7767]

I am planning buying an engagement ring for my gf from Tiffany's in Mall at Millennia in 2 weeks - is there anyway to avoid this dreaded tax bearing in mind we are international? I am aware of the risks of bringing it through customs etc, but would like to avoid this first tax. Any help appreciated!

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

No, you have to pay sales tax even if you are exporting the goods.

Regards

Rob

 

[Tron[ADS]]

No way of avoiding sales tax, but if I remember correctly, there are slight variations of the sales tax percentage within different counties, so you migjt be able to find a Tiffanies in a different county that might charge less sales tax.
Of course the difference (if it exists atall) might be negligable and you could be wasting your time.

 

[kristieuk]

I don't think that this applies to Tiffany, but if you take your passport to the customer services at some of the bigger department stores (Macy's, Burdines etc), you can get an tourist discount card - in Las Vegas this year we were getting 11% discount but have also used this in Florida, just can't remember what discount was - was something like 10% though.

 

[paulh]

dont forget the duty free alowance is it £145 might be a bit more so if you get stoped at customs and they find reciept and box they will put 2+2 together and you will have to pay import duty just post reciept and box to uk and and let fdw have ring on finger
Paulh

 

[NotUrsula]

Not unless you take a romantic side trip to Louisiana or New Hampshire!

New Hampshire has no sales tax statewide, for anyone. Louisiana has a tax-free scheme for foreign visitors; show a non-US passport in your own name, and the tax is left off (you do have to fill out a form, and not all shops participate, but most fine jewelers do.) There are no branches of Tiffany & Co. in either state, however. New Orleans has a plethora of fine jewelry dealers; you can certainly buy antique Tiffany there if you have a mind to.

BTW, as of last year, it is also possible to elope to New Orleans. There is no longer any waiting period for non-residents; you can get a license and get married within the hour, 7 days a week.

 

[carl_w]

Tiffany is still pretty cheap compared to the UK, even with the sales tax. If you use a Nationwide CC (no foreign transaction fee) you save 2.75% compared to other credit cards, so that's already negated half the sales tax.

 

[Cochise]

dont forget the duty free alowance is it £145 might be a bit more so if you get stoped at customs and they find reciept and box they will put 2+2 together and you will have to pay import duty just post reciept and box to uk and and let fdw have ring on finger
Paulh

I was advised these allowances had changed recently. Maybe it is because they want me to bring them a PSP from Florida.....

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

The allowance is still £145 per person, although there has been some debate about it being raised to £1,000.

With regard to posting receipts back to the UK, you should know that it is up to you to prove that you have paid tax/duty on goods you import to the UK rather than up to Customs&Excise to prove that you haven't. If you are stopped and can't prove that you have paid you will be liable for VAT and whatever import duty is levied.

Regards

Rob

 

[Feralpeg]

I have no idea if this applies, but I know that if you buy something at Disney and have it shipped to your home, you pay no sales tax. You just pay shipping costs. You might ask about that alternative at the store. Of course, you might be leary of shipping something as valuable as a ring.