Airport Security Question (UK)

Pawnless Endgame · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:31

As for the £300 rule, what happens if you wanted to bring your laptop on holiday with you?

I've been to France a few times and I'm pretty sure I've carried more than £300 in luggage on at least one occasion. MP3 player, phone, books, a few changes of clothes.

Paul11 · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:33

Monserrat said:
As for the £300 rule, what happens if you wanted to bring your laptop on holiday with you?

I've been to France a few times and I'm pretty sure I've carried more than £300 in luggage on at least one occasion. MP3 player, phone, books, a few changes of clothes.

only applies to new items that you by abroad

second hand stuff that you take with you doesnt count

muon · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:38

Monserrat said:
As for the £300 rule, what happens if you wanted to bring your laptop on holiday with you?

I've been to France a few times and I'm pretty sure I've carried more than £300 in luggage on at least one occasion. MP3 player, phone, books, a few changes of clothes.

It's all about where and when you purchased it. Also, within the EU the rules are very different as VAT is paid within the EU. So for example, you are free to purchase as much as you want from a french website for delivery in the UK without worrying about VAT.

However, a few things are still subject to controls.

Pawnless Endgame · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:38

Or first hand stuff? :-)

I think I know what you meant though.. laptop for £300 would likely be second hand.

Edit: Thanks Ghost101

Moredhel · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:46

Richie said:
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.

They'll almost certainly confiscate them if they find them after you've walked through "Nothing to declare"

Van Hellseek · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:47

Jono8 said:

lol, in the Philippines you can barely walk 20 paces in any tourist-y areas without coming accross a security guard of some kind carrying either an assault rifle or a pump-action shotgun. (This is in addition to pistols, handcuffs, tazers and god knows what else).

Paul11 · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:47

Moredhel said:
They'll almost certainly confiscate them if they find them after you've walked through "Nothing to declare"

he was saying it isnt illegal to have them when you leave a country (USA) and the USA security finds them in your baggage before you board the plane

and they can just fine you and charge you the VAT, not confiscate them.

Moredhel · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:49

Depends on the export laws of the USA I guess. They could restrict that sort of thing or tax it across their borders. Always best to check.

Paul11 · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:50

Moredhel said:
Depends on the export laws of the USA I guess. They could restrict that sort of thing or tax it across their borders. Always best to check.

didnt when my friends went a few weeks ago..... they found them in the bag, asked what they were and let him on his way

Rotty · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:51

Let me understand this

You want o invest in Silver, there is nothing to suggest Silver is any better an investemnt than gold ( or vv )

you can legally buy gold without VAT but would risk confiscation and possible prosecution to avoid VAT when this is provides no edge in terms of investment returns :confused:

Paul11 · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:54

Rotty said:
Let me understand this

You want o invest in Silver, there is nothing to suggest Silver is any better an investemnt than gold ( or vv )

you can legally buy gold without VAT but would risk confiscation and possible prosecution to avoid VAT when this is provides no edge in terms of investment returns

i would argue that silver will make better gains than gold

in the last 6 months its have much better performance

G-MAN2004 · 24 Apr 2011 at 23:56

Rotty said:
Let me understand this

You want o invest in Silver, there is nothing to suggest Silver is any better an investemnt than gold ( or vv )

you can legally buy gold without VAT but would risk confiscation and possible prosecution to avoid VAT when this is provides no edge in terms of investment returns

The silver is already available to me under spot price, whereas I'd have to buy gold above. However I think I'll leave it tbh, not worth the risk. Knowing my luck I'd get caught and have it confiscated.

J-FRO · 25 Apr 2011 at 00:07

My advice would be to buy a quantity of silver here. Get all the paper work etc together to say how much you have and how much you paid.

Fly to the states with the paper work, purchase an equal amount to what you purchased in the UK, bring it back with you and just say its the same silver, you just didn't want to leave it at home because you trust nobody.

Paul11 · 25 Apr 2011 at 00:09

J-FRO said:
My advice would be to buy a quantity of silver here. Get all the paper work etc together to say how much you have and how much you paid.

Fly to the states with the paper work, purchase an equal amount to what you purchased in the UK, bring it back with you and just say its the same silver, you just didn't want to leave it at home because you trust nobody.

lol

you took 3k of silver with you because you didnt trust leaving it at home....

the problem with your plan is that the silver you buy here and the silver you buy in the USA is different your invoices wouldnt match , even if the weight and prices do, the items wont

oldbag · 25 Apr 2011 at 00:09

At the other end, will they just let you fly out with a suitcase full of silver?

Paul11 · 25 Apr 2011 at 00:10

oldbag said:
At the other end, will they just let you fly out with a suitcase full of silver?

yes, pretty much

dont know about a suitcase full, but a few grands worth is no problem

edit/ an actual suitcase full would would be over weight anyway

J-FRO · 25 Apr 2011 at 00:11

Paul11 said:
lol

you took 3k of silver with you because you didnt trust leaving it at home....

the problem with your plan is that the silver you buy here and the silver you buy in the USA is different your invoices wouldnt match , even if the weight and prices do, the items wont

Well no, you don't show them your US invoices. Just your UK ones. Then hope the dappy security don't realise the big embossed "UNITED STATES SILVER BULLION" on each bar.

oldbag · 25 Apr 2011 at 00:11

And they don't notify ahead that there is some guy with a load of silver and watch out for him that he doesn't do the green channel thing at the other end?

Paul11 · 25 Apr 2011 at 00:13

oldbag said:
And they don't notify ahead that there is some guy with a load of silver and watch out for him that he doesn't do the green channel thing at the other end?

not in my mates case ..

J-FRO said:
Well no, you don't show them your US invoices. Just your UK ones. Then hope the dappy security don't realise the big embossed "UNITED STATES SILVER BULLION" on each bar.

just as much risk as just bringing it in and hoping you dont get caught

as my guess is that they would notice that (and that your story wasnt plausable)

oldbag · 25 Apr 2011 at 00:14

Dunno, sod's law says you will be pulled on the day. Just don't look guilty.