Bringing used Laptop from US to UK...and VAT

Heyhey everyone.

Ok i remember a while back about someone posting info about bringing in a used computer and how to avoid paying the VAT . Something about mailing in the reciepts to my UK address .

My hubby will be going to the states for a month and he wanted to buy a used laptop to bring back in the UK....besided the voltage issue..we were more concerned about getting nailed with VAT at Heathrow.

Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks a mill
Zufan

If you have the reciept, you should be good to go.  I have NEVER had a problem and I've carried in two at a time, new and used.  Once, I had one in the un-opened box as well. 

As for voltage, no problems.  Laptops are 110/220 or what ever.  Just go to a techie shop and buy a cord with the right plug on the end...much better option than using the adapters.

Uh oh. I am concerned now. I am leaving Tuesday week as my residence permit ends and returning in 2 months with (I hope) an UP visa with my laptop in tow. I am taking the same laptop that I bought from Ebay back in March of this year that was shipped here to the UK AND slapped with charges with me. I don't have a receipt since I purchased it on Ebay. I only have the bag it came wrapped in that has the shipping info and such. Am I going to have a problem bringing it back in? It is obvious that the case, laptop, etc has been used.

While I say I always have a reciept, I have also NEVER been asked for one, or even querried about the lap top.  If you ARE worried, you can "register" your electronics with the US Customs Services...you have to take the items in to your local customs office, where they will write the serial numbers down and give you a piece of paper that goes into the back of your passport...no fees for the service, but you do have to lug everything to customs (laptops, cameras, PDAs...anything like that). 

The form is called "Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Take Abroad" Customs Form 4457 (060992)

The more I thought about it, the less I worried since band members don't get taxed when they're on tour, etc etc. I really like the idea that I can register the laptop though. I am going to do that with it and my camera just in case since I don't think it's really a big deal. If it's free and gives me piece of mind, then I am all for it 

I've never in many years had a problem carrying a laptop into the EU (customs is only interested when thing sare posted here). You can get it registered, but it really shouldn't be aproblem, especially with a used laptop.

If you're bringing in personal items you've owned for six months or more, you don't have to worry about paying customs duty.  There are also exceptions on some new items (such as wedding gifts).

If you're bringing in personal items you've owned for six months or more, you don't have to worry about paying customs duty. There are also exceptions on some new items (such as wedding gifts).

The thing is, how do you prove you have owned it for more than 6 months?

Also, I am a tech-geek.  I carry all sorts of electronics over the border ALL the time.  I've never been asked about a thing.  Because I have nothing to claim, I don't mention it.  One day, they may say "hey--have you owned that more than 6 months?".  For those people who wish to have a little peace of mind, a peice of paper is a nice thing to have, either reciepts for the purchase or the custom form previously mentioned.

Thanks everyone..

Zufan

I'm bringing this topic up again, since I'm going to find myself in the same boat in a few months.

I'm going to the States in Sept. My husband wants me to buy a new laptop while there, since it'll be cheaper. I'm concerned with how to get it through customs. By reading this thread, it seems that they won't even check to see if it's new?

My husband said, "Oh, just put it in your suitcase" but as far as I'm concerned, that's just asking for it to be stolen! Who packs a laptop anyway?

If I don't declare it and go through customs as usual, if they ask about it and I say, "my parents bought it for me as a gift" will they believe me? Or if I produce a receipt will that get me through? Will they even ask?

If I did end up having to pay VAT, what would that cost?

Or..maybe I'm worrying too much?  I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Hi there,

With the amount of personal electronics passing through all the airports in the world each day, it's simply impossible for everyone to be checked. Can you imagine everyone with a digital camera, ipod, digital watch, blood pressure monitor, laptop etc being asked to prove if it's new or not?!

Technically, yes, any new item bought from abroad and brought back into the UK is subject to VAT and/or import tax. If you want peace of mind, then you may declare it and pay the relevant amount.

The authorities of course know this, and will perhaps stop someone on the off chance and they 'may' have new electronics - in that case they'll simply take it on case by case and if it turns out they do ask you for the taxes, they will do that - if the item is obviously 2nd hand - they'll probably let it straight through.

Getting new electronics abroad and then bringing them back into the UK like this is called grey importing - the authorities knows it goes on thousands of times each day at every airport - they usually like to target those people who import/export on a much larger volume.

So overall, don't worry, get the laptop from the USA, take it out of the packaging, use it a couple of times and then fly over with it in your hand (in a laptop bag!) - you will not be asked about it at all.

Hope this helps!
Cheers, Dennis, West London & Slough UK!

My laptop died while we were in SF last year, and I bought a MacBook then and there, but I still needed to bring the old laptop back to the UK to try and recover my files.  I flew back to the UK with two laptops in one laptop bag, and nobody even blinked.

Thank you very, very much!!! That really gives me peace of mind. Much appreciated!