Itouch,possible to buy from us?

JoeyDoh

Hey guys,

Basically i'm looking to get an Itouch for the missus's bday.
However itouch's on the Us apple site are alot cheaper than they are on the irish site. e.g 189euro versus 152 euro for an 8gb itouch.

Has anyone bought any apple related product from the us and what are your experiences?

cheers.

Gregor Samsa

I bought an iPod classic in the US a few years ago, no problems at all.

A US iPod Touch is the exact same as one you'll get here - they don't come with a power cable (just a USB/Dock connector) so you don't even have that to worry about.

However, the US Apple store won't ship to Ireland. Are you talking about going to the US and buying one while there? Finding US online stores that will ship to Europe can be surprisingly hard - they tend not to want to bother themselves with the hassle of exporting. Of course, many do, but remember you'll have VAT and Customs to deal with, which could easily wipe out your savings if buying online.

If you happen to be going to the US (or know someone who is), then it's a no-brainer. Get it over there. An 8GB iPod touch is below the personal threshold for bringing goods with you into the country, so you wouldn't be liable for duty even if the issue came up.

JoeyDoh

Cheers:)

What are the chances of being caught by customs:P?

Gregor Samsa

JoeyDoh wrote: »

Cheers:)

What are the chances of being caught by customs:P?

On something being shipped in? There's a pretty good chance, in my experience. It's not something you have control over at all. Lots of retailers (especially the ones on eBay) say that they'll mark the package as a gift or product sample, or put a really low price on the documentation. But of course, Customs are well onto this. I've bought a few camera lenses from Hong Kong, and half have been stopped by customs and I've had to pay (still worked out cleaper at the time on these items than buying here). A co-worker had a load of orders stopped over the last few months, from watches to bigger items. Pretty much everything he was buying from outside the EU was being caught.

NAMA has to be paid for from somewhere, and Customs are probably working overtime.

JoeyDoh

Any chance you know what percentages customs charge? Just trying to work out which would be cheaper.

Gregor Samsa

see this PDF from Revenue:

http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/leaflets/postal-guide.pdf

Customs Duty and VAT is what you could be caught for.

Customs Duty percentages depend on various factors. VAT is 21% on electronic goods.

Consignments not exceeding a total value of €150 may be imported without payment of Customs Duty, while consignments not exceeding a total value of €22 may be imported without payment of VAT.

Your calculation is that the 8GB Touch from the US would be the equivalent of €152. If that includes Shipping, then they might not go after you for Duty, as it's so close to the threshold. If shipping is not included, then it might push it up enough for them go go after if. You could still be caught for 20% VAT either way.

It's always a gamble ordering stuff from outside the EU, as you can never be sure if you'll be charged Duty/VAT, and if you are, it's very hard to determine how much they might charge you.

JoeyDoh

Ima see

Cheers guys,i'll do some tinkering before I make my choice,thanks for the help.

whiterebel

phutyle wrote: »

see this PDF from Revenue:

http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/leaflets/postal-guide.pdf

Customs Duty and VAT is what you could be caught for.

Customs Duty percentages depend on various factors. VAT is 21% on electronic goods.



Your calculation is that the 8GB Touch from the US would be the equivalent of €152. If that includes Shipping, then they might not go after you for Duty, as it's so close to the threshold. If shipping is not included, then it might push it up enough for them go go after if. You could still be caught for 20% VAT either way.

It's always a gamble ordering stuff from outside the EU, as you can never be sure if you'll be charged Duty/VAT, and if you are, it's very hard to determine how much they might charge you.

Add in the charge for doing a customs entry which is normally about €15.
So its

Cost price+
Carriage+
Duty+
Vat+
Entry Fee.

BTW, its an iPod Touch, an itouch being a completely different animal.
http://en.pasen.it/product_detail.php?id=23

phutyle

phutyle wrote: »

I bought an iPod classic in the US a few years ago, no problems at all.

A US iPod Touch is the exact same as one you'll get here - they don't come with a power cable (just a USB/Dock connector) so you don't even have that to worry about.

Doesn't the US iPod have a higher maximum volume level?

BeeDI

JoeyDoh wrote: »

Hey guys,

Basically i'm looking to get an Itouch for the missus's bday.
However itouch's on the Us apple site are alot cheaper than they are on the irish site. e.g 189euro versus 152 euro for an 8gb itouch.

Has anyone bought any apple related product from the us and what are your experiences?

cheers.

I was in USA a few weeks ago. Bought iPod Touch 8gb in Apple Store. Net price to me €163.35 after state tax and exchange rate conversion.
Only a ney saving of €23! Not as much as I exected to be honest.

B