Airport Security Question (UK)

G-MAN2004 · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:26

For some reason, I really can't remember, but do they scan your suitcases when arriving back in the UK after a holiday?

Before you think 'drug smuggling' I'm actually planning on buying a few grands worth of silver bars in the US and taking them back home in the hope of avoiding the silly VAT charge on silver that I'd have to pay if I bought them here.

[TW]Fox · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:28

Isn't the first rule of investing never buy at the top of the market?

Richie · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:28

Depends on where the cases are coming from. On some flights, they will pass through a machine to detect drugs when they reach the destination airport

Castiel · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:30

You'll be fine, of course Airports security don't scan suitcases, bring in what you like....

muon · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:31

Silver bullions are subject to VAT. Tax evasion is bad.

http://citywire.co.uk/new-model-adv...sury-15-times-more-than-benefit-fraud/a378274

Van Hellseek · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:31

Castiel said:
You'll be fine, of course Airports security don't scan suitcases, bring in what you like....

They still do random checks though.

Castiel · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:32

Van Hellseek said:
They still do random checks though.

Irony passes you by I see.....

Twentyone · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:33

I think they do random checks with a dog but not scan.

Paul11 · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:36

easy to do, just put it in your hand luggage (i dont trust it in suitcase which can be opened by baggage handlers and taken from without anything you can do)

few k's worth is not a problem in hand luggage, will weight a few kilos

its been done recently

if you want a good place to buy it from , email in trust

Van Hellseek · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:37

Castiel said:
Irony passes you by I see.....

How was your comment ironic? At best it was sarcasm - which is always lost on internet forums...

Viper² · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:40

They'll be scanned at the US airport surely?

G-MAN2004 · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:40

[TW]Fox;18978900 said:
Isn't the first rule of investing never buy at the top of the market?

I can get it under spot price and I don't plan on keeping it for years.

I thought they scan hand luggage once you arrive?

Viper² said:
They'll be scanned at the US airport surely?

As long as I stay under $2500 I don't think I have to declare it.

Richie · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:41

Viper² said:
They'll be scanned at the US airport surely?

Yeah but it aint illegal to have bars of silver in your luggage. The OP is asking so that he knows if the UK will see it then charge him duty etc.

Van Hellseek · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:41

G-MAN2004 said:
I thought they scan hand luggage once you arrive?

Nope.

Richie · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:42

G-MAN2004 said:
I can get it under spot price and I don't plan on keeping it for years.

I thought they scan hand luggage once you arrive?

Hand luggage? Na, hand luggage doesn't get scanned but they may ask you to open it as a spot check

Paul11 · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:43

[TW]Fox;18978900 said:
Isn't the first rule of investing never buy at the top of the market?

who said its the top of the market ?

its got a way to go yet !

[TW]Fox · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:43

G-MAN2004 said:
I can get it under spot price and I don't plan on keeping it for years.

Are you buying it from somebody a bit dim or something?

Why sell it to you at less than they can make elsewhere?

muon · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:43

So how is admitting attempted tax evasion getting such an easy time on here? Lying to HMRC in another fashion and the outcome of the thread would be very different.

I'm sure many people would like to buy items VAT free and then sell them in the UK for cost +20%.

Paul11 · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:44

Viper² said:
They'll be scanned at the US airport surely?

they dont care over there, all they care about is that your not taking bombs on the plane

Scuzi · 24 Apr 2011 at 22:46

The problem will arise when you walk through the customs "Nothing to declare" line, get "randomly" checked and get fined for not declaring the items.