Laptop from Canada

Mr E

My dad has asked me to look into the possibility of taking a laptop back from Canada with me while I'm there next week. I want to know the possible pitfalls....

Obviously I'll get hit for VAT and Customs if I get nobbled on the way back. I know about VAT, but what does the duty come to?

I presume I'll need a transformer to get it working on the mains over here. I also know claiming on a warranty would be difficult.

What are the odds of getting caught on the way back? (The fact that I'm going to Heathrow first should help a bit...)

Is there anything else I should watch out for? Is it worth the hassle in the first place? Will I make any real savings?

I'd appreciate any advice before I head out...

Thanks in advance.

Saruman

Get a laptop carry bag and carry it on as luggage.. dont bring the box etc with you.. Who are they to say you bought it over there... there is a thread about this somewhere too! Keep reciept but maybe post it to yourself along with documentation.

Yes you need a converter for the power but thats only a plug.. most AC adapters auto switch from 110 to 230.

Tom Dunne

TmB wrote:

Obviously I'll get hit for VAT and Customs if I get nobbled on the way back. I know about VAT, but what does the duty come to?

Don't worry about VAT and Customs - as Saruman says, carry it in hand luggage (you will of course need a new laptop bag ) especially if you are coming in via Heathrow. I brought in a laptop from the US three weeks ago, no bother and both myself and my wife were carrying one (she had my work laptop).

TmB wrote:

I presume I'll need a transformer to get it working on the mains over here. I also know claiming on a warranty would be difficult.

99.9% of laptops are dual voltage. Again, as Saruman says, you will only need a plug convertor, to change the shape of the plug. Warranty is the biggest risk. Try it out for as long as you can while you are over there.

TmB wrote:

Is there anything else I should watch out for? Is it worth the hassle in the first place? Will I make any real savings?

Yes, trust me, you will make savings. I got a Celeron 2.8Ghz (boo,hiss), 1 Gig of memory, 6-in-1 memory card reader, stunning widescreen and firewire for 970 Euro. A Pentium 4 was only an extra 50 Euro.

There is nothing really I can think of to look out for, I didn't have any hassle with mine, thankfully. Just make sure it is a brand that is known over here, so if you do run into trouble, it shouldn't be too hard to get help.

Mr E

One catch.... I have to bring my own laptop over there (its a business trip). I'll have to put one in my checked in luggage (probably the work one!) and carry one on the plane. The only worry is if customs stop me - "Why do you have 2 laptops, sir?"

Any truth to the rumour that they go through wallets for receipts??

Tom Dunne

I have been to the US both on holiday and business every year for the past 10 years. Never once have I encountered customs (remember - all the American flights come in early in the morning, so if customs really wanted to be there, they could). I have never heard of them going through wallets, unless they do for people coming from the likes of the Canaries, you know the type who bring two suitcases full of cigs.

I really don't think you should worry especially since you are coming back via Heathrow, though I don't know what you should do with two laptops (are you married? ).