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Buying US iPad for use in UK?

EDIT: Sorry, i had this typed in a few hours ago, but guess I never clicked the post button. Looks like others have chimed in on this issue already....

Canedrive said:
This is a deal-breaker for me, but I can't seem to get a definitive answer.

If my brother flies in from New York with an iPad in his luggage, what's the chances of him getting charged the extra vat?

If he says it's his own what can they do?? :confused:

He's a US citizen by the way.
Click to expand...

Technically, you are legally obliged to declare any goods you are bringing into the the country that is over a certain threshold value. HM Customs and Revenue website should have the details. I think the free allowance is around 400 pounds or so, but I am not 100% sure.

So if you are bringing in any goods that totally value above the free allowance, you are required to pay vat and import tax. Any attempts at evasion (including claiming it to be used, or that it will be taken out of the country with you, etc.) is considered tax evasion and is against the law. Whether it will be enforced or not, is a totally different issue.
 
Hmm, it seems like £390 is the value limit, which is frustrating because I go £4 over the value limit. :(

How much would import duty/tax be on the iPad?
 
Would the iPad and the accessories be separate or would they all add up when you get to customs? Because if not then I will be fine, but if they do then I'll have to sacrifice an accessory.
 
Dude just buy the bloody thing!
Generally speaking, Customs are interested in illegal alcohol and tobacco imports, that type of thing. They won't look twice for an iPad, if they do then say "yes, I got these accessories on my trip (if you get some of those also), but I brought my iPad on the trip from the UK". They don't care. If, by some
miracle, you are talking to a tech-nerd Customs Officer who knows that the iPad isn't officially available in the UK yet, tell him/her that you got it on eBay or whatever.
You are stressing way too much about this.
 
How much is a 16gb and a 32gb Inc the NY vat, I mean total final price?
I just want to see it's that much cheaper. Don't forget, paying by card I have to add 2.75% on the Amex.

Price info In dollars would be great, thank!
 
I bought a 16gb, Apple case and plain dock in New Jersey on Saturday and the total came to $606 inc tax - it shouldn't be that much different in NYC. Came back through T5 on Tuesday with no problems at all.
 
spiralz said:
i believe if you look on customs and excise website, you can bring a portable electronic device (aka ipad / iphone etc...) to value of around £350 (16gb wifi then:rolleyes:) / cant remember the exact amount.

provided it was purchased by you and is for your own use.. + all the usual blurb..... yada yada.......

spoke to mk apple store regards waranty - guy there said once it's launched worlwide u will have no issues with the warranty.

have fun.
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someone else who will be at the mk launch then :)

i was gonna say, if you moved from the us to uk and now lived here, surely apple couldnt refuse to service your apple goods???
 
I have just spoken to a person at Apple and they have told me that the warranty of the iPad is only in the country of purchase :(
 

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Purcase of I Pad in Boston

Just got back from US with a recently purchased I Pad and joined this discussion. Now know why couldn't get UK apps. I paid Mass state tax on it but could have claimed it back. The VAT issue is an interesting one as it may depend on how much you paid as you can bring in a certain amount of goods without being liable.
 
tallyho said:
http://images.apple.com/legal/warranty/docs/NA_iPad_Warranty_v20.pdf
"Apple may restrict service to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the hardware product."

Because reading is hard innit? :rolleyes:
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Technically, Apple could do this, and they may in areas where distribution of parts isn't ideal or could be impossible to get (i.e. Czech Republic unable to get 3G parts designed for AT&T iPads), but I have never had any issues getting my various Apple products serviced outside the country in which they were purchased.
 
Just wondering about Warranty .... If I buy in U.S and want to get it fixed in the U.K - will I have to show proof of VAT being paid? ... I mean they will know it was bought in the U.S based on the serial number I'm assuming? What if it was bought as a present for me and noone gave me a proof of VAT paid?
 
snowydog said:
Just wondering about Warranty .... If I buy in U.S and want to get it fixed in the U.K - will I have to show proof of VAT being paid? ... I mean they will know it was bought in the U.S based on the serial number I'm assuming? What if it was bought as a present for me and noone gave me a proof of VAT paid?
Click to expand...

I have had my Apple products serviced in the UK and they were bought in the US. Specifically, the Apple store in Cambridge. They never asked for proof of VAT. Don't even know why they would care.
 
Mac.World said:
I have had my Apple products serviced in the UK and they were bought in the US. Specifically, the Apple store in Cambridge. They never asked for proof of VAT. Don't even know why they would care.
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Nice - thanks....was just wondering... we only have the one apple store in Northern IReland (well I think so) ... so If I couldn't get it fixed there then I would be stuck,....though it should be fine - could probably find someone I know that works in it anyway lol :)
 
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