Bringing gifts from the US

I'm planning on doing a bit of shopping when I'm in the States in two weeks. Mostly gifts for my sons. I was wondering if I have to declare these gifts and pay duty on them? I'm intending on bringing back three Nintendo DS consoles and probably some clothes such as Levi's and maybe a leather jacket or two.

When do you go, my parents are here in just over 2 weeks they are coming the 26th of the month.

Have a good time.

Indy and Sonya

When do you go, my parents are here in just over 2 weeks they are coming the 26th of the month.

Have a good time.

Indy and Sonya

Hi. I'm leaving on 21 April and returning on the 29th.

I think you are allowed something like £148 before you have to declare your gifts.

Have a look at the allowances if you want to be on the up and up. But as many have said before, most people just walk on  through. Three Nintendos are pretty eyebrow raising if you get caught though.

I think you are allowed something like £148 before you have to declare your gifts.

Have a look at the allowances if you want to be on the up and up. But as many have said before, most people just walk on  through. Three Nintendos are pretty eyebrow raising if you get caught though.

Yes I worry about the DS's. But I have four sons so whatever I buy I usually have to buy four of! I've never once been stopped but just my luck I will this time.
£148 is NOTHING!! 

Three Nintendos are pretty eyebrow raising if you get caught though.

I agree about that. I think you'd have no problems with the clothes - nobody would know if they're new or not. But three Nintendos? Yep, that would raise some eyebrows for sure.

Yes I worry about the DS's. But I have four sons so whatever I buy I usually have to buy four of! I've never once been stopped but just my luck I will this time.
£148 is NOTHING!! 

My daughter and her boyfriend went last summer and both spent about the same amount of money.  She sailed through 'Nothing to Declare' and he went through the other line and declared his guitar.  I do know that even with paying duty he ended up still making a huge saving on the price of the guitar.

I just had a look at Amazon.  A DS is £100 here and $128 in the States, so even if you get stopped and payed duty(is that 17%?) I think you still save £24 which is a big savings X 4.

But you pay more that the 17.5% VAT.  You also pay customs/excise duty as well.  I don't know how they calculate this though 

MTA: I should add that VAT is levied on the value of the item AFTER excise duty and any import duties have been added.

I have found the basic guidelines but can't find what is actually added.  Do you have a link that explains this?  Thanks. 

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_010220&propertyType=document

I have found the basic guidelines but can't find what is actually added.  Do you have a link that explains this?  Thanks. 

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_010220&propertyType=document

Thanks for the helpful link. I may be able to get three DS's for £145 if I find them for around $100 each. If not I may just post one back just to be safe. 

I know that kids aren't allowed an alcohol or tobacco allowance but I always was under the impression that they were allowed the customs allowance.  I can't find where it says that though.  If it's the case it would double your allowance.  Don't take my word for it though.

I know that kids aren't allowed an alcohol or tobacco allowance but I always was under the impression that they were allowed the customs allowance.  I can't find where it says that though.  If it's the case it would double your allowance.  Don't take my word for it though.

Oh of course! I never thought about that! It seems like all paying passenger should have the same allowances! I can't believe I didn't think of that!     I guess I'm used to making this trip on my own.

oh yeah, that's right you each get a customs allowance!  You should be ok then.

oh yeah, that's right you each get a customs allowance!  You should be ok then.

Honestly sometimes I'm too stupid to live! lol   I totally forgot Coby's coming with me!