Customs and Gifts

My brother-in-law is getting married over christmas and we've said we'd be there for the wedding. Being in the U.S over christmas we thought we might just buy our gifts int he U.S, especially as while we are over there we need to close down our american bank account which still has a small sum of money left in it.

Does anyone know how this will work customs wise? I know you are entitled to £145 worth of goods, but between us it will probably be a little bit more, especially as I'm gunning for a Xbox 360* which alone is worth more than £145.

I'd rather not try to avoid declaring because being christmas it would be just my luck that they are especially looking through peoples items, and we'll be arriving back in the UK on christmas day.

Although I am British and my wife has ILE, I do have American citizenship as well if that makes any difference.

Anyone idea how much the duty levies work?  I'm thinking that this is probably going to be more trouble thats it worth, especially as it isn't so much to do with saving money as it is making use of money we still have in an account over there and not having to carry a tesco bag full of money back to the UK with us

*For the geeky among, yes I realize I'd have to import NTSC-U games if I buy a Xbox 360 in the states, rather than being able to buy UK titles.

Hi there,

Have a look at the HMRC website for details of VAT and Import Duty on goods/products/gifts etc bought back in from the US. I think there's different rates for differing items etc.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_Home

have a look at the 'shopping on the internet' link as well.

for example the XBox you mention, you'll probably pay VAT when you declare it. They'll ask you for the purchase receipt and calculate it from the conversion etc. If you don't have the receipt then they'll look up the price and calculate from there.

You could 'cough' go through the nothing to declare channel and if they do open up your bags, just say it's a gift and your happy to pay any taxes due - although technically it's 'illegal' - you aren't going to get into trouble for it - there's simply way to much passenger volumes passing through for them to pick up every item.

Good thing is though, you could purchase said Xbox and/or other items in a place which shows you don't have to pay AMERICAN sales tax for goods leaving the US. There's a procedure there of course - it means you get back the sales tax you pay at point of sale.

hope this helps a bit!

Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

One thing to keep in mind even if they go through and check your luggage is that if its wrapped up they can't open it unless you're there.     In all honesty I've never declared anything when I've come back from the states or going to the states except "gifts" and put the value to be less than what's allowed...  I've never had any problems on it.

The customs aspect is more to catch out people that're importing to sell the items on more than anything else.  Try not to worry too much on it and have fun at the wedding!

Cheers for the advice guys, much appreciated