Buying a Macbook in USA for UK use

[heisenberg123]

How long do you need to be abroad to be able to purchase something that can be considered a work tool purchased out of necessity to be used while abroad? Or have I only dreamt there being such a rule?

Bought an iBook abroad many years ago and customs didn't even cross my mind (that was due to my ignorance, however) and noone checked anything of mine. Though, I was foreign exchange student on a one year student visa and the return trip to Sweden with the laptop in my bag was one year after entry so special rules might have applied.

I take it laptops and gadgets in general are popular "import" items enough to get checked? I mean, I can't imagine clothes in droves purchased abroad packed with one's other clothing getting checked, regardless of the price tag on those.

A maxed 11" MBA is equal to $2270 (incl. VAT) here in Sweden. If I were to get one and happened to be going to the US I probably wouldn't think twice and just get one to bring back home, stashed in a sleeve sans product packaging in my hand luggage. The new iPad is physically the same product over here so that's a no brainer.

Perhaps the tax/customs thing is less controversial over here as we do pay a good amount of tax? Personally, I'm all for our high taxes since we get a relatively good welfare system out of it and other perks. I just don't think people in general here in Sweden would even bat an eye over getting a VAT-free laptop abroad. Though our "taxfree" import history is largely of the alcohol kind due to a government controlled alcohol monoply (shops that is, not pubs etc).

I'm not saying I would never get caught, I'm just saying that it doesn't seem to be a big deal over here. Is it different in the UK, considering that's where you'd get caught?

such things do exisit, i know from Canada to USA its about $100 for every 24hours spent in the States that I bring home without paying duty

 

[blipmusic]

such things do exisit, i know from Canada to USA its about $100 for every 24hours spent in the States that I bring home without paying duty

Ah, at least it wasn't only a figment of my imagination, then. Having stayed for a whole year probably helped. I.e. customs probably checked my visa on my return entry home and waved me through.

 

[hafr]

How long do you need to be abroad to be able to purchase something that can be considered a work tool purchased out of necessity to be used while abroad? Or have I only dreamt there being such a rule?

Bought an iBook abroad many years ago and customs didn't even cross my mind (that was due to my ignorance, however) and noone checked anything of mine. Though, I was foreign exchange student on a one year student visa and the return trip to Sweden with the laptop in my bag was one year after entry so special rules might have applied.

I take it laptops and gadgets in general are popular "import" items enough to get checked? I mean, I can't imagine clothes in droves purchased abroad packed with one's other clothing getting checked, regardless of the price tag on those.

A maxed 11" MBA is equal to $2270 (incl. VAT) here in Sweden. If I were to get one and happened to be going to the US I probably wouldn't think twice and just get one to bring back home, stashed in a sleeve sans product packaging in my hand luggage. The new iPad is physically the same product over here so that's a no brainer.

Perhaps the tax/customs thing is less controversial over here as we do pay a good amount of tax? Personally, I'm all for our high taxes since we get a relatively good welfare system out of it and other perks. I just don't think people in general here in Sweden would even bat an eye over getting a VAT-free laptop abroad. Though our "taxfree" import history is largely of the alcohol kind due to a government controlled alcohol monoply (shops that is, not pubs etc).

I'm not saying I would never get caught, I'm just saying that it doesn't seem to be a big deal over here. Is it different in the UK, considering that's where you'd get caught?

In what way do you mean it doesn't seem to be a big deal? If you're caught with products of a collected value over about 450 euros, you will have to pay VAT and fees just as if you were caught in the UK.

And on an unrelated note, the Swedish welfare system is ridiculously cost ineffective.

 

[thundersteele]

The US Apple online store has French, Spanish and Japanese options for the keyboard, but no UK!

You could call and ask, but I don't think you can get a UK keyboard.

 

[blipmusic]

In what way do you mean it doesn't seem to be a big deal? If you're caught with products of a collected value over about 450 euros, you will have to pay VAT and fees just as if you were caught in the UK.

And on an unrelated note, the Swedish welfare system is ridiculously cost ineffective.

My bad. I didn't mean the actual legal implications, only what I've experienced people's views in general to be on importing without going through customs.

Whether the welfare system is cost ineffective or not wasn't really my point. From my own experience, including relatives' and a friend who was a US citizen within the "problematic" wage bracket in the US and who moved to Sweden, it works out alright quite often. That's for another discussion, however. I shouldn't have mentioned it.

 

[PVisitors]

For people discussing about travelling over and getting caught when not declaring items. I can't speak on how strict they are in the states, but surely an easy work around is buying a UK adapter before you travel, buying the Macbook Pro, removing all the packaging obviously and claiming you brought it with you to the states, if they ask you show them the UK plug charger. I'd assume most people working would use their common sense in this case and let you through unless you're unlucky and get a complete jobs worth who is demanding to see proof of purchase which come on, in most people's cases hardly viable.

It's even more convincing if you can order a UK keyboard in store on the Apple Store online.

Edit; what about your relatives in the US buying it for you, and then if possible travelling home for Easter or something, Idk? Depends how close your family is I guess.

 

[Dangerous Theory]

Do UK customs really bother you about laptops? The only time I've been asked is in Australia (where customs are pretty damn strict as it is), and I just said it's the laptop I brought with me. If you're just carrying the laptop in a laptop case or a backpack, I can't see it being likely that they call you out on it.

 

[BCGray00]

I am going to Canada. How easy are they to bring back?

Just womdering how thourough customs are for bringing one back

 

[Holiam]

I am going to Canada. How easy are they to bring back?

Just womdering how thourough customs are for bringing one back

Guys I think you are all overthinking this. I have brought over at least 12 laptop/s iPads when buying for gifts. There's no need to chuck boxes - you 'brought the machine over' which you bought in the UK from a 'friend' who has an american version and have never once been asked.

There way more interested in explosive / drug swaps from your laptop. Sure i was remove all the cellophane etc., but come on they don't have a manpower to dedicate resources in to calling around to see where the laptop was purchased from.

I'll be popping over soon for the new MacBook air if released next month as anticipated. Some of there products are £/$ which if you start to get into the 2k mark can pay for your holiday - bonus.

I'm in a sightly unique position as I have joint nationality between UK & US, but this has never been required to come into question. - Just do it, you won't regret it

 

[exogeneity]

Do UK customs really bother you about laptops? The only time I've been asked is in Australia (where customs are pretty damn strict as it is), and I just said it's the laptop I brought with me. If you're just carrying the laptop in a laptop case or a backpack, I can't see it being likely that they call you out on it.

Never been checked at both, I travel in-and-out of the UK for my studies over the past year and I bring my own Mac with me due to keyboard configurations.

Not Australia too - they are more strict on food than my laptop, haha!