Purchasing new computer and shipping it to the UK

Hey everyone....I have a quick question on the best way to ship and avoid customs taxes and things of that nature.

I am ordering a new computer from Sony, and they won't ship to the UK (Sony UK doesn't offer this model). So the plan is to ship it to a relative in the US and have them ship it to us. The box is only going to be around 20-25 lbs.

What would be the best way to ship it over and what would be the best way to avoid getting held up at customs? I am a student over here and will be using the computer for my student use only. I know they were big on the "not older than 6 months" thing when shipping.

Any advice on how to pull this off? Much appreciated!

Problem is, you actually would owe duty on the item, because it is being imported and is newer then 6 months.

Any advice given here would be advising how to circumvent HM Customs, which would not be a legal or ethical thing for us to do here.  It is sort of asking "how do I rob a bank".  Sorry mate...

But when you do get it here you will have all the fun of trying to plug it in ), though I am guessing it is a laptop so you should be able to purchase the right transformer fairly cheaply.  And if it is a lap top can you not just check it or pack it in a suitcase.

Most PC's have interchangeable cords. I brought a laptop and a desktop over with me and simply changed the power cords. I also think most pc's are dual voltage so there shouldn't be a problem with that either.

I'm not asking to circumvent PER SE 

But if I were to fly over with it and check it in my suitcase, there would be no issue. Shouldn't be any different to ship it :/

*all circumventing replies can be emailed to me* 

But the issue is, I am already HERE in the UK....and I would be using it for STUDENT purposes....

Technically you owe duty whether you are shipping it or bringing it in your suitcase.  You'd still have to declare it, at least legally.  My advice is buy one here and avoid all that.  After all is said and done, the prices will even out because even though they are more expensive  here, the import duty brings the US price up.  Just my 2 cents.

June

There is also the warranty issue.  If you buy it in the US and it breaks here, you are SOL and will have to pay for the repair out of your pocket.

June

eh....not worried about it breaking....

I'd buy it over here, but it's not being RELEASED over here

How much would duties be?

Information on figuring out duty from HM Revenue & Customs website:

If you need more specific information, the first step will be to identify the correct amount of duty and VAT. To do this you need to find out the right 10-digit commodity code for your goods. Once you have the correct 10-digit commodity code, HM Customs and Excise National Advice Service (NAS), will be able to quote the correct rate of duty, VAT and any Excise duty to be paid.

National Advice Service - 0845 010 9000 (+44 208 929 0152 for international callers).

The full list of commodity codes, duty rates etc are listed in a publication known as the Tariff. The Tariff is a 3 volume annual publication which is updated monthly and contains useful information about customs import and export requirements.

If you do not have access to a copy of the Tariff there is a web-based means of self-classifying your goods provided by the European Commission website, Europa http://europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/dds/cgi-bin/tarchap?Lang=EN.