Ah...I love the people who have clearly never been through or seen a thorough Customs inspection.
Why don't you point him to places to download pirated Apple software while you're at it?
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Buying a macbook pro in usa & bring back to ireland
- Thread starter JellyBaby
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Ah...I love the people who have clearly never been through or seen a thorough Customs inspection.
Why don't you point him to places to download pirated Apple software while you're at it?
You have clearly been through and seen a thorough customs inspection. Can you expand on your experience?
How would they know if the computer has been bought in America and not in Ireland?
Living in the US but sympathizing with my Apple brothers and sisters from other countries, I too am confused at how they would know if you bought the computer in the US.
Perhaps those of you who do travel and deal with customs could enlighten us on the follow:
1. Leave Ireland with luggage including a notebook bag.
2. Go through customs.
3. Enjoy trip in US with side venture to Apple store. Buy notebook.
4. Open notebook box, throw away everything you don't need, put new notebook in notebook bag you have with you.
5. Leave US
6. Go through customs
7. Home.
Unlike a car or something less portable, how would anyone know you didn't bring the notebook with you?
How about these scenarios?
What if your family here bought you a computer and gave it to you? I would think that is very common for graduations, starting college, new job, etc... Do you pay tax on gifts?
If you were married in the US, do you have to pay tax on the wedding gifts?
I am not trying to incite people to break International Laws, but I'm just curious.
-P
Perhaps those of you who do travel and deal with customs could enlighten us on the follow:
1. Leave Ireland with luggage including a notebook bag.
2. Go through customs.
3. Enjoy trip in US with side venture to Apple store. Buy notebook.
4. Open notebook box, throw away everything you don't need, put new notebook in notebook bag you have with you.
5. Leave US
6. Go through customs
7. Home.
Unlike a car or something less portable, how would anyone know you didn't bring the notebook with you?
How about these scenarios?
What if your family here bought you a computer and gave it to you? I would think that is very common for graduations, starting college, new job, etc... Do you pay tax on gifts?
If you were married in the US, do you have to pay tax on the wedding gifts?
I am not trying to incite people to break International Laws, but I'm just curious.
-P
I don't know if they're the same. What I do know is in French Apple Stores, I can ask for a QWERTY keyboard instead of an AZERTY one. So the keyboard layout is not tied to particular countries. As a consequence, potential keyboard differences can't be used as proof that the purchase was made in the US.
I've been in and out of Ireland numerous times along with several other dozen airports around the world. I've never been stopped in a developed country at customs.
Because it's stealing from the government, and not from Apple. Therefore, on this forum apparently it is considered acceptable behavior, while the slightest mention of software piracy gets banned.
People pirate software and hack computers every day as well, but the mention of either of those on this forum causes a thread deletion and/or lock.
Should be the same for this thread.
There are a number of little tricks. The second most common is..."where is the receipt? Oh...you don't have it on you? When did you buy the computer? You have X days to provide the receipt..."
As for the second most common, well, is more amusing and actually leads to the first one (because it's more fun to see people trying to dig up a receipt). I'm not going to outline that one, but sufficeth to say I could identify a foreign-purchased laptop in about 2 minutes...and that includes the time it takes to power up.
This sort of thing happens all the time, and Customs officers are trained to identify it, and many other things.
Surprisingly easily.
Depending on the country you're returning to, yes.
Depending on the country you're returning to, yes.
The thing to remember is that in many countries, liability for taxes and/or duties for many items is completely at the discretion of the inspecting officer. Be honest and declare and more often than not you get waived through. I've only been sent to pay tax on arrival at an airport once and at a land crossing (Canada from the US) once, and that is despite many times being over the allowed 'duty free' limits. Make the declaration and more often than not you're free to go. Fail to make the declaration and get caught and face substantial penalties.
There are some people you shouldn't lie to, and if you do even infrequent international trips, Customs and Immigration officers fall into that category because they can make your life quite difficult.
I've gone through several Customs inspections over the last 20 years, and numerous Quarantine inspections when travelling back home to Australia. But since I live with the attitude that a full declaration will help you avoid any issues, those inspections have either been simple random detailed inspections, or as a result of how I answered a question. I recall one time driving back into Canada from the US, I hesitated when asked who owned the car I was driving (I was trying to recall if it was in joint ownership or in my name only) and that hesitation resulted in me being sent inside for a secondary inspection including a frisk search.
In all cases, I was sent on my merry way...and in Australia, it's usually after a bit of a chin-wag with the inspector about some of the people they've caught making false declarations (the advantage of arriving in the wee hours of the morning - they sometimes have time to chat).
As summarised in another post, they are quite within their rights to ask for a receipt, and if it's not immediately available, give the traveller a timeframe in which to present the receipt.
There are other methods available - those I'm not going to summarise because I'm not going to give the OP any tips on carrying out illegal activities, but they're surprisingly simple.
I will say that OP would not be the first person to have tried the old 'burn the box and pretend I've had it for ages' technique. Customs inspectors pay close attention to clothing, jewellery and electronics, because they're among the most commonly non-declared items.
As much as you may think otherwise, Customs inspectors aren't stupid. Travellers who think they're the first to come up with some amazing idea to avoid paying taxes though...they're the stupid ones.
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It's probably not worth it OP. I seem to remember one of the things that will be checked is the keyboard, and whether it has a dollar or euro / sterling key which is a dead giveaway. Then there's the base of the laptop which has various markings which are generally pertinent to the country of origin.
Seriously, customs officers aren't stupid and know exactly what to look for. If you get caught you'll be flagged for inspection whenever you fly from that point on.
Seriously, customs officers aren't stupid and know exactly what to look for. If you get caught you'll be flagged for inspection whenever you fly from that point on.
Plus the power adapter. Easier to check that than to pull out the notebook and check the keyboard.
Not that I travel internationally that often but of all the times I have traveled between Europe/South America not a single time was I asked of purchase proof of anything I had with me at the time of passing customs. I traveled with my PS2 several years ago (and it wasn't the slim model, so it was quite bulky). Last year I traveled with two personal computers, including one new and a used one and I had zero problems getting in or out of any country.
As long as you purchase it for your personal use there's no problem whatsoever. The only way I can think of they will seem suspicious of you is if you decide to buy several computers/gadgets at the time, but with only one computer I really doubt they'll ask you for proof of anything. It's just a matter of money, if it's cheaper there, why not? you ain't stealing nothing, because you'll even pay taxes like everywhere else.
As long as you purchase it for your personal use there's no problem whatsoever. The only way I can think of they will seem suspicious of you is if you decide to buy several computers/gadgets at the time, but with only one computer I really doubt they'll ask you for proof of anything. It's just a matter of money, if it's cheaper there, why not? you ain't stealing nothing, because you'll even pay taxes like everywhere else.
Are you sure you are not overreacting a little bit here? Could you please explain me how is it that it's illegal to buy a product in other country while on vacation?
As far as I know you can spend your money in whatever way you want while visiting another country.He's talking about buying a computer while in the USA, not about going there and steal a computer from an Apple Store. He'll be paying taxes like everyone else does, so, what's the problem? I've even been to places where you can demand to get your taxes reimbursed (although some restrictions apply).
Are you sure you are not overreacting a little bit here? Could you please explain me how is it that it's illegal to buy a product in other country while on vacation?
He's talking about buying a computer while in the USA, not about going there and steal a computer from an Apple Store. He'll be paying taxes like everyone else does, so, what's the problem? I've even been to places where you can demand to get your taxes reimbursed (although some restrictions apply).
Nobody is talking about stealing a Computer. What is being discussed is whether you can get away with bringing that hardware back to Ireland and avoiding paying import duty (tax). Others have raised the issue of whether it is morally ok to dodge paying that duty which some (not me) deem to be tantamount to theft.
I take the more pragmatic view that it's not worth the risk since if caught, you are likely to be fined as well as having your name flag up on any flight list for checking every time you travel henceforth.
End of the day, it's a personal choice. Nobody enjoys paying taxes.
I've probably been through 20-30 different customs inspections on the US side and foreign countries - thanks to my travels and military deployments.
I don't support pirated software so I won't recommend that. I do however know people who have brought Apple products from the US to other countries without claiming it. It can be done it's just a risk to take, worse comes to worse they find out you didn't claim it and you saw oh I forgot or it was a gift.
Are you sure you are not overreacting a little bit here? Could you please explain me how is it that it's illegal to buy a product in other country while on vacation?
It's perfectly legal to buy anything (okay...almost anything) anywhere you want. However, it is illegal to make a false declaration to an Immigration, Customs or (in some countries) Quarantine officer. What some people are encouraging the OP to do is to represent the foreign-purchased computer as a domestic-purchased item...in other words, they're suggesting he/she lie to those officers. That piece of paper you fill out on the plane as it's approaching your destination? It's a legal document you sign, not just a friendly survey.
As I've said in an earlier post, there are some categories of people you should never lie to, and Customs & Immigration officers fall into that category - not because I'm a goody-goody, but because they can make your life extremely miserable on future travels. US Customs & Immigration officers for example have the authority to arbitrarily ban visitors from the country for five years on the spot. Naturally, OP is talking about Ireland which I suspect would be a little more easygoing when it comes to bans, but there are other financial and legal penalties the OP could be subjecting themselves to.
OP is also obliged to pay taxes and/or duties, as required by his local laws, when returning to his country with items obtained elsewhere. The funny thing is that all these people are saying "burn the box" and ignoring the fact that there's a very good chance that even with a full declaration, the OP will just be waived through (and yes, that's "waived").
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So, in other words, as a (presumed) member of a nation's Armed Forces, you are saying you endorse and encourage people making false declarations to government officials?
Perhaps during one of your overseas deployments, someone made a false declaration to some soldiers about being on your side as you travel through...say...the hills of Afghanistan, or perhaps says "oh...there definitely won't be any IEDs along this road...". Would that be okay? According to you it would be, as long as they don't get caught.
Worse comes to worse they seize it and fine you. If you're a frequent traveller, you could lose certain privileges or be subject to more detailed inspections in future.
Is it really worth the consequences if you get caught? I don't think so...that's why I'm happy to pay import taxes when I buy items from other countries, because I'm still saving money.
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Interestingly enough this forum has no rules regarding the discussion of international import tax evasion, or defrauding government entities in similar manners.
This topic's existence otherwise is shady, and if I were a moderator on this forum I would lock and hide this topic to avoid trouble with said government entities. (I am not a moderator for MacRumors, however I am a global moderator on another website.)
This topic's existence otherwise is shady, and if I were a moderator on this forum I would lock and hide this topic to avoid trouble with said government entities. (I am not a moderator for MacRumors, however I am a global moderator on another website.)
I love how everyone is going off the wall about stealing. Yet I'm sure we've all ordered online and not paid sales tax on items on our taxes. It's a way of life and pseudo benefits of traveling.
You can declare it and get your US taxes back, but pay tariffs at the airport. Or visa versa. It's all on your decision and not on the internet/forum. Technically, the gov't wins no matter what, just depends on which one.. (and all EU inspectors knows this.. every time I'm in NYC there's hoards of people from EU going nuts with shopping).
**As a suggestion if you're planning to buy in the States, make sure you take it with you unboxed. That's how you get caught if they did check.
You can declare it and get your US taxes back, but pay tariffs at the airport. Or visa versa. It's all on your decision and not on the internet/forum. Technically, the gov't wins no matter what, just depends on which one.. (and all EU inspectors knows this.. every time I'm in NYC there's hoards of people from EU going nuts with shopping).
**As a suggestion if you're planning to buy in the States, make sure you take it with you unboxed. That's how you get caught if they did check.
Some people around here should chill out a little bit. Closing this discussion? forbidding this kind of questions in the forums? what else? Come on people, we're talking about buying an electronic item while overseas (paying taxes and everything) and then bringing it back home, no one here is trying to commit fraud or anything. Maybe in the USA where everything is overblown out of proportion this is a major issue, but it is not.
If people would get this stressed out about tax evasion-related practices that big companies do the World would be in better financial condition right now...
If people would get this stressed out about tax evasion-related practices that big companies do the World would be in better financial condition right now...
FYI, the more guilty the conscience, the more likely you'll be caught. Also, be a snappy dresser.
I've traveled everywhere and never been caught with anything. We always have electronic items such as laptops, cameras ect... for ourselves or gifts when traveling. Well except one time I had a power drill (in the box!) in Kenya and the customs officials extorted over $100 import duty over it which was infuriating, but other than that, nothing.
Do they really search everyone in Ireland? I've always just use the "nothing to declare line" when in Europe.
I've traveled everywhere and never been caught with anything. We always have electronic items such as laptops, cameras ect... for ourselves or gifts when traveling. Well except one time I had a power drill (in the box!) in Kenya and the customs officials extorted over $100 import duty over it which was infuriating, but other than that, nothing.
Do they really search everyone in Ireland? I've always just use the "nothing to declare line" when in Europe.
HeadGear said:
I don't see anywhere in my post that I said "I endorse and encourage people to make false claims". Nor would I ever say to my fallen brothers and sisters to trust any foreign person about an IED. Obviously you've never fought for your country so you're just throwing premature examples out their attempting to make a point, but you look dumb.
I'll make this clear: If you don't want to claim an item from customs then don't. People do it all the time, doesn't make it right, doesn't make it wrong (depending on your morals & ethics). There was even a lady who brought a iPad to a guy in Fiji on a trip who probably didn't claim it. You can always "gift" the item and avoid taxation on it when traveling abroad. The government doesn't know where you go when you arrive or if someone felt generous enough to hand you something.
Do this at your own free will and risk and best of luck with any option you choose.
It is not worth the risk. I have traveled to Ireland a number of times, sometimes with Irish nationals, most recently in October 2011. They tend to focus on the people carrying the Irish passport, and given the current need for revenue, have focused people bringing in goods from the US and Asia.
It is impossible for any average punter to fool these guys, especially with some of the more common items that are smuggled. So, if you get picked, you are going to lose. Full stop. You are not going to fool them.
So the question is, are you the gambling type? In Ireland, the fine is three-times the regular customs duty and seizure of the goods. Plus you get put on a list. Generally, being on a list sucks. I traveled with a woman on a list (for trying to smuggle in cured meats from Italy), and it sucks.
It is impossible for any average punter to fool these guys, especially with some of the more common items that are smuggled. So, if you get picked, you are going to lose. Full stop. You are not going to fool them.
So the question is, are you the gambling type? In Ireland, the fine is three-times the regular customs duty and seizure of the goods. Plus you get put on a list. Generally, being on a list sucks. I traveled with a woman on a list (for trying to smuggle in cured meats from Italy), and it sucks.