Bringing laptop home from USA

Benny Cake

I am writing this post from the apple store on michcagan avenue in chicago, and and using a macbook pro to do it...... this machine retails for roughly 1900 euro at home and i can get it here for 1200; just wondering what the situation is with bringning it home; can i get stung for extra dosh at customs???????

Thanks

p.s. this thing is gorgeous

juvenal

If you're concerned about import duty, just take all packaging and labelling off so it looks like a personal laptop. In the unlikely event that it's an issue, you can say that it's yours and you brought it with you on holidays.

I doubt there'll be a problem at the airport. You'll just have it in your backpack as normal.

You might also check warrnty information, to ensure that it can be serviced at home under the US warranty. And also make sure that the adaptor is able to handle 220V-250V that we use here, as well as the 110V that is used in the US. I'd be amazed if it doesn't/you're not able to get one here.

dade

if you do get it and want to keep the books & CDs etc that come with it just stick them in a n envelope and post them to yourself at home that way if you are stopped they wont be discovered and ruin your "it really is my old laptop boss" excuse.

Overheal

dmvnccgs.bvjndklgnz;dsjgsdka;kl :rolleyes:

Overheal wrote: »

As its a common enough thing to want to buy one cheaper over there I thought I would lay down some basic information regarding US Laptops. Feel free to add.

1. Power -
Laptop AC Adapters (and most computer electronics) are rated to accept voltages between 100 - 240V. This will be written down as the Charger's Input Range on it's label/plug. In order to use the charger over here you need either a) A UK version of your charger's AC cord (available from your manufacturer) or b) A simple pin converter such as that shown here. These are available widely in most electronics shops in Ireland and cost €5-10.

Incidentally this also means you can use your laptop just about anywhere on the planet you can find a wall socket. Great for traveling.

2. Customs -
There are NO SPECIAL CHARGES for bringing a laptop through customs. It doesn't matter if its in a box, in a bag, or if you have 2 or more. It is just another item that falls under generic Custom Laws and would be looked on no more poorly than a box of cigarettes.

3. TSA -
The Transportation Security Agency advises that any spare batteries that are not plugged into the Laptop for the duration of your journey must be part of your checked luggage. No loose spare laptop batteries are permitted in your carry on luggage. This is due to a security risk identified by the exposed metal contacts and the Lithium-Ion nature of the battery.

During X-Ray screening laptops must be placed in a seperate container from all of your other posessions and screened sperately. The X-Ray scan will not cause harm to your computer but it is still advised to shut off your laptop or leave it in sleep/standby mode for the scan.

With regard to the actual rigors of flight and potential harm to your laptop - you truly have little to worry about outside of the norm. Laptops were born for flying businessmen, and are hardly the delicate flowers the price-tag might suggest: they are built to take a few good hits. It will be safe to pack one in your check-in luggage, and safe to carry-on the plane, without risk of damage (unless you happen to spill your choice of coffe/tea/chicken/beef all over it, but thats entirely your fault).

4. Warranty and Customer Support -
This depends on your Vendor. It is recommended you buy direct from the manufacturer's website, rather than making your final purchase at a retail vendor such as Best Buy or Circuit City (though these stores are very good for window shopping at); for one retail is more expensive; for another if you have an issue with your computer you may have to take it back to the retailer, not the manufacturer in that case. Some brands may deal in direct-to-manufacturer service.

Most online purchases within the Continental United States in my experience take between 2-7 days to deliver, but can depend on availability. Ensure you have ample time and a stable 'address' to receive it. If you are uncomfortable with this option by all means go to a vendor but ask firstly about your warranty and support.

With regard to support when you return to Ireland all major vendors (Dell, HP, Toshiba, Acer, Apple) will typically have coverage available. Remind me to confirm/compile a complete list later.

juvenal

You may be liable for VAT on the laptop, since you're importing it from outside the EU. At 21% it will be a nice chunk.

According to the SBP:

Vat of 21 per cent has to be paid on any tech item, once the traveller’s €175 tax-free limit has been reached. Note that this is 21 per cent of the good’s price before local sales taxes were applied.

It might be tempting to simply take the goods out of their boxes and present them as items already in use. It is certainly true that relatively that few checks are carried out at Irish airports.

However if caught, fines of up to several hundred euro are levied on the spot.

In reality, you're highly unlikely to have a problem, but nothing is certain.

Overheal

Once your luggage gets back to Irish soil I've never seen any situation where a check was carried out. just grab the bag, walk through the Green Channel and youre gone. Theres no point for them to otherwise check it. And no reason to seeing as how its already been cleared by the security in the US of Paranoia.

Maybe thats something they do in Dublin but I've flown in and out of shannon for the better half of a decade and have never seen or heard anything like that.

juvenal

Overheal wrote: »

Once your luggage gets back to Irish soil I've never seen any situation where a check was carried out. just grab the bag, walk through the Green Channel and youre gone. Theres no point for them to otherwise check it. And no reason to seeing as how its already been cleared by the security in the US of Paranoia.

Maybe thats something they do in Dublin but I've flown in and out of shannon for the better half of a decade and have never seen or heard anything like that.

Random spot checks are not uncommon in Dublin; I've only flown Shannon to US a couple of times, so I can't comment.

I've seen customs officers pull people on numerous ocassions, although it's more frequent in the pre-Christmas months when gangs of women are hauling 50kgs each through the channel after a five day trip

The OP should be fine with a laptop, it's just something to be aware of.

Overheal

juvenal wrote: »

Random spot checks are not uncommon in Dublin; I've only flown Shannon to US a couple of times, so I can't comment.

I've seen customs officers pull people on numerous ocassions, although it's more frequent in the pre-Christmas months when gangs of women are hauling 50kgs each through the channel after a five day trip

The OP should be fine with a laptop, it's just something to be aware of.

wow how much dumber will Ireland get there are better ways to get revenue

calex71

as suggested OP ditch the box and post the manuals, you'll certainly be bringing it in hand luggage and short of them checking the xray machine footage from dublin outbound there is no way they can say that you didnt have it going out there unless.................. they closely inspect the any lables or stickers that might have US voltages on thme!!!!!!!!!

In that case id take my hat of to the guy say fair cop and cought up the vat he earned it

Hellm0

I've carried(in both check in and carry on luggage) quite a sum of hardware between the US and Ireland, including several tower PC's, and have yet to EVER be searched or harassed in an Irish airport with regards customs. Bare in mind I have racked up quite a few flights back and forth.

To be honest all this talk of hiding the documentation and such is needless though I would take stuff out of its packaging. Best not to tempt fate and all that.

juvenal

Overheal wrote: »

wow how much dumber will Ireland get there are better ways to get revenue

:rolleyes:

As I said, it's highly unlikely to be an issue, but it's something the OP might want to be aware of if on the off-chance he gets stopped.

Customs Officers are perfectly entitled to question, and if necessary, search any traveller coming into Ireland from a journey originating outside the EU. It's not harassment or dumb, it's simply people doing their job.

As long as the item is not obviously brand-spanking-new and in it's wrapping, the OP shouldn't have a problem. Posting the various backup discs and paraphernalia separately is unnecessary IMO.

Overheal

juvenal wrote: »

:rolleyes:

As I said, it's highly unlikely to be an issue, but it's something the OP might want to be aware of if on the off-chance he gets stopped.

Customs Officers are perfectly entitled to ask any traveller coming into Ireland from a journey originating outside the EU. It's not harassment or dumb, it's simply people doing their job.

As long as the item is not obviously brand-spanking-new and in it's wrapping, the OP shouldn't have a problem. Posting the various backup discs and paraphernalia separately is unnecessary IMO.

theyre after people trying to remarket items right? if you can prove its for your personal use i dont see the issue.

juvenal

Overheal wrote: »

theyre after people trying to remarket items right? if you can prove its for your personal use i dont see the issue.

No, it's my understanding that it doesn't matter what it's for, if no form of import duty has been paid on the item, then it's liable for tax.

According to Customs figures, over €30,000 was collected in VAT and duty payments from travellers at Knock, Dublin and Shannon between 1st October and 15th December.

ISME claim that the annual exodus to the US on shopping trips is costing the Irish economy an estimated €1 billion, while the shoppers say the cast differences in pricing is a prime example of the rip-off republic. ISME say that "people in their imported Armani clothes would be the very people who would be tut-tutting about job losses in the coming months, yet they were not supporting Irish businesses." Irish travellers to the US are entitled to bring up to €175 of goods before they declare their purchases.

In the same period running up to Christmas, Customs seized €2 million worth of drugs, and nine million cigarettes worth €3.4 million. Do the maths.

As all the business leaders were giving out about lost business going to the US during the pre-Christmas shopping season, the head of Customs at Dublin airport said, "In the same period we've been hearing about so-called shopping trips to New York, we've caught €950,000 worth of drugs and 5.7 million illegal cigarettes. A question might be, do you want us to stop the drugs coming in that are killing our kids? We can have officers spending all their time taking €20 or €30 in VAT on a few Nike T-shirts from New York, or we can focus our attention elsewhere. You have to get some perspective into it, you know."

I'd be inclined to agree with him.

Overheal

me too. instead of the futile attempts try to operate protectionism on american goods maybe get back to what customs was made for?

juvenal

Overheal wrote: »

me too. instead of the futile attempts try to operate protectionism on american goods maybe get back to what customs was made for?

I think that the US companies that produce these goods (in far-flung Asian countries ) are responsible for the protectionism you refer to.

That's how people make money.