Mac import duties?

ginger_pat · 24 Jan 2010 at 18:13

So i,ve kept googling this question and no holp.

I am going to america in march and i am planning on buying a Macbook (pro) but i plan on keeping it as hand luggage getting a case etc, will i get caught out on import duty and VAT? Will this apply to an ipod if it is just in my pocket i plan on using both items when i am in New York so i am not bothered about having the boxes open etc.

Any help guys?

Thanks Pat.

Hades · 24 Jan 2010 at 18:24

Technically you will owe them the VAT. But if you can make it look like you didn't buy them out there, then you should get away withtax avoidance.

Let's just hope they don't look at the keyboard and realise it's a US layout...

quickshot89 · 24 Jan 2010 at 20:21

dont have it on show when you walk past them, simple

SilverPenguin · 24 Jan 2010 at 23:53

I was going to buy a MBP in Florida last year but my work discount ended up meaning it only cost me an extra £30 over the savings from the States. Plus, I wanted to upgrade a few bits (including ordering a UK keyboard as I can't stand the smaller 'enter' key on US ones) which would have delayed things and I was running out of time.

The only thing you can do is just take it back with you and run the gauntlet at customs if that's the route you take...

hyper_piper45 · 25 Jan 2010 at 00:21

If you take it out of the box and put it in a case and then in your backpack, I doubt they woud questions that you didn't have it with you before.

However remember that you have to add tax to the price you see on the apple website. If you are able to get HE discount the difference in price is negligible. Plus you have to have the horrible enter key as mentioned above!

ginger_pat · 25 Jan 2010 at 09:16

Right so is it the tax in new york i remember reading somewhere about different states have different taxes if i am not mistaken. Also could i get education discount in america i have a student card and all that?

hyper_piper45 · 25 Jan 2010 at 10:10

ginger_pat said:
Right so is it the tax in new york i remember reading somewhere about different states have different taxes if i am not mistaken. Also could i get education discount in america i have a student card and all that?

Yes different states have different taxes. New York is renowned for having relatively low taxes, thats why everyone shops there! You can use THIS calculator to work out the final price.

I think the educational discount works a bit differently over they and I'm not sure if you could use a UK student card. Best thing would maybe be ringing a store to ask if you can do it.