Getting computer parts from America

Azza

Just want to know what happens if you know someone currently in the USA to buy you computer components and when he comes back he will give them to you. Is there a custom charge on people bringing stuff back over or what?

mad m

Azza,

Suppose it depends on what your mate is bringing back,as long as it doesnt stick out like a sore thumb id say you'll be ok.

Doing same myself in july have brother inlaw in LA so going over with practically half full case

BadCharlie

Did it last year my self, only got my self a laptop when over there had no problem in brining it in. There was no cutoms there i guess 7 o'clock in the morning was to early for them.

jozi

I was looking at getting part to in america. Know a few people there and was thinking if i get stuff send to them and then they send it on to me would that work?

Jozi

BadCharlie

Did that at xmass with my ipod. Cost 280euro for a 40gig version and sent it to my brother there. He then sent it onto my self and customs got there hands on it. Had to pay an extra 75euro for it. Also took them in total 2months to send me the ipod. One month to let me know they had it and one month for them to deliver it. You cant ring them due to no one maning the phones and they wont replay to your e-mails.

So if you do it the way i did it just pray it dont be stoped by customs.

jozi

Not such a good plan then really

Jozi

jesus_thats_gre

MArk it as a gift..

Gosh

jesus_thats_gre wrote:

MArk it as a gift..

Doesn't work ... they copped on to that a long time ago ... if they want to open it to inspect it they will ...

jesus_thats_gre

They cannot charge you if it is a gift though.. They can open it all they want..

DirtyHarry

i hope your right...im expecting my gear from the states tomorrow......i got sent the customs slips from Tampa Bay, Florida and it was marked down as a gift!!

Gone West

azza means if the person is flying back and brings the hardware with him personally. Ive looked this up for USA to Uk and you can bring 400$ worth of stuff yourself without any probs. but my dad got a new laptop and brought it home a few months ago (still in box etc) and they didnt pass any remarks. I think the customs laws are just to prevent people running big ebay busineses without paying taxes.

*Azza I assume you are referring to me

limbovski

Gosh wrote:

Doesn't work ... they copped on to that a long time ago ... if they want to open it to inspect it they will ...

if thats the case, what happens if someone actually does send a genuine gift then?

Balfa

just wondering, why is this sort of illegal carry-on tolerated on boards when, for example, pirating games isn't?

limbovski

what would the case be if u actually owned say a laptop and left it in america on a visit.if u got it sent to u how can they prove its not urs in the first place? aside from packaging of course...

Balfa

well, proof or lack thereof is one thing.

but deceiving customs or neglecting to claim imported items (you are, of course, obliged to claim, whether or not there's someone there at the airport at the time) is another thing.

In Ireland anyone who can dodge tax is given a good pat on the back


As for proof, i assume that, as with anything, the onus is on them, the plaintiff, to prove, beyond any reasonable doubt, their case (in this situation, that you don't own the laptop).

Gosh

jesus_thats_gre wrote:

They cannot charge you if it is a gift though.. They can open it all they want..

limbovski wrote:

if thats the case, what happens if someone actually does send a genuine gift then?

Revenue are very clear on items marked as Gift - no import duties are payable if the value of the Gift does not exceed €45

See the link below

http://www.revenue.ie/pdf/pn_1179.pdf

limbovski

yeah thats a bit tight isnt it.

PowerHouseDan

Apparently the best time to fly in is on a sunday morning, My parents brought back a fair bit for me, they came in a 6am Sunday morning no customs.

ChRoMe

I regulary have packaging thrown away by a mate in the states she then writes me a birthday card and sticks it in. Its foolproof. Works _everytime_

jozi

So how much do you get charged on something of say ~350 dollars?
I'm looking at maybe getting a gfx card from the states.

Jozi

thesteve

Ordered rollar blades from the states, 250 dollars, had to pay 70 euro (or was it pounds) to receive them... b@stards

Gosh

From DHL's website

Goods are liable to VAT at the same rate as applies to the sale within the State of similar goods - usually 21%.
VAT is calculated on the total of 1) value of the goods for customs purposes, 2) the amount of any other duty or tax applicable, 3) any transport, handling and insurance costs between the place of introduction into the EU and the final destination within the State.

Number 3 includes the shipping cost from the US

Gone West

balfa: the original post was asking whether you can bring stuff back with you. From www.us.gov : It says that its fine to bring back $400 or less of items which you purchased in the country. No probs, but over that you will have to pay tax on the items

Snowbat

Gosh wrote:

Number 3 includes the shipping cost from the US

No, number 1 does. Value for customs purposes = value of item + shipping cost. Number 3 covers customs handling and transport charges within the EU (from the point of entry in the EU to the final destination).