Buying off an American site (via proxy) - Legalities

ShortWarning · 27 Jan 2014 at 10:45

Hey guys,

Quick question.

I want to by a plugin - (melodyne if that makes any difference - http://www.celemony.com/en/start).

If I buy through the EU store it comes out at £82, US store £59 (I need to use a proxy to access the US site).

Now assuming it allows me to use my UK visa is this legal (if it's not I obviously won't be doing it)?

Theophany · 27 Jan 2014 at 10:48

The NSA will come after you.

diamount · 27 Jan 2014 at 10:54

It won't accept your order. Anti-fraud systems will kick in as you're IP tells it you're not in the cardholders country.

MarkeR · 27 Jan 2014 at 10:57

diamount said:
It won't accept your order. Anti-fraud systems will kick in as you're IP tells it you're not in the cardholders country.

Use of said proxy in OP's question will take care of that, just buy it mate..

diamount · 27 Jan 2014 at 11:00

MarkeR said:
Use of said proxy in OP's question will take care of that, just buy it mate..

No it wouldn't, if his card and the address it was issued in is in the UK and he enters those details while using a proxy based in the US then it will flag up as fradulent.

the_r_sole · 27 Jan 2014 at 11:02

If you can pay for it then I can't see the problem.
When I was in canada I had a few issues with trying to pay for stuff online with a uk card because it kept failing checks - in shops i never had a problem...

MarkeR · 27 Jan 2014 at 11:02

diamount said:
No it wouldn't, if his card and the address it was issued in is in the UK and he enters those details while using a proxy based in the US then it will flag up as fradulent.

It cannot be a fraudulent transaction if it is the owners own card. What you are meaning it is against the websites TCs.

Bought plenty of stuff via a proxy server from different countries, you just have to be very careful what proxy you use, make sure it isn't a public one.

diamount · 27 Jan 2014 at 11:04

MarkeR said:
It cannot be a fraudulent transaction if it is the owners own card. What you are meaning it is against the websites TCs.

Bought plenty of stuff via a proxy server from different countries, you just have to be very careful what proxy you use, make sure it isn't a public one.

My point is the automatic systems will flag it up as fradulent and will most likely ask for proof of card ownership, so a lot of hassle.

ShortWarning · 27 Jan 2014 at 11:06

MarkeR said:
It cannot be a fraudulent transaction if it is the owners own card. What you are meaning it is against the websites TCs.

Bought plenty of stuff via a proxy server from different countries, you just have to be very careful what proxy you use, make sure it isn't a public one.

Is there any you can recommend?

Souleh · 27 Jan 2014 at 11:10

Possible hit with a import charge when it lands in UK.

boxman2000 · 27 Jan 2014 at 11:11

Can you get around this if paying via Paypal?

ToxicTBag · 27 Jan 2014 at 11:13

Might want to check with your bank to see what charges you might be liable for if you bought something abroad

TheVoice · 27 Jan 2014 at 11:15

Souleh said:
Possible hit with a import charge when it lands in UK.

Unless HMRC are monitoring downloads now, I don't think that'll be an issue.

Cuchulain · 27 Jan 2014 at 11:17

diamount said:
My point is the automatic systems will flag it up as fradulent and will most likely ask for proof of card ownership, so a lot of hassle.

Nonsense, lots of people on here have purchased software abroad using proxy servers with no issues whatsoever.

Freefaller · 27 Jan 2014 at 12:31

I tried to buy some train tickets online from a French train website and it didn't work - used a French card and it worked fine despite me being in the UK. Later my English bank phoned me to warm me that my card had been attempted to use abroad - so it does depend on the bank and how they flag up fraudulent use.

Dis86 · 27 Jan 2014 at 12:54

I've done it with quite a few PC games in the past. Never had any problems and saved a hell of a lot of money.

ShortWarning · 27 Jan 2014 at 12:54

They don't accept paypal and my bank are fine with overseas transactions.

There is a highly rated American seller on Ebay that is selling licenses $20 cheaper so may go down that route (making it only £49), just don't particularly like using ebay for these types of things.

Captain · 27 Jan 2014 at 12:59

The proxy will be fine.

Blackjack Davy · 27 Jan 2014 at 20:49

By the time you've paid import duty and VAT on that you won't see much of a saving, if any, on that.

If you're lucky customs might not spot it, boxes from well known companies attract their attention more than anonymous plain boxes in my experience.

D.P. · 27 Jan 2014 at 21:27

You will already be at 71quid with VAT, add on duty and extra shipping and you might as well just buy from the UK source.