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UK Orders

kinster

kinster

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 6, 2006
1,143
531
I'm looking at the 15" MacBook Pro with this spec:

  • 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz
  • 16GB 2133MHz memory
  • 1TB PCIe-based SSD
  • Radeon Pro 460 with 4GB memory
£3,329.00 UK
$3,499.00 US

It worth flying over to the States this time and buying one?
 
No, as the cost of the flight will mean you substantially end up paying more.
 
No, because I believe the US cost is minus sales tax, which will vary depending on where it's bought.

Factor in the tax in say, California which is 7.5% (it varies state to state), and the US machine will cost $3,761 which at todays exchange rate is £3,083. If you get caught bringing it back to the UK you could be hit with significant import duty to recover VAT, and of course you would need to factor in a return flight (so probably around £600 min).

Then you would need a new power cable as it would have the US spec one, and I would be willing to bet the warranty would be unusable over here (though not 100% sure).

It's a nice idea but seldom one that makes sense to actually do
 
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Barnfather said:
No, because I believe the US cost is minus sales tax, which will vary depending on where it's bought.

Factor in the tax in say, California which is 7.5% (it varies state to state), and the US machine will cost $3,761 which at todays exchange rate is £3,083. If you get caught bringing it back to the UK you could be hit with significant import duty to recover VAT, and of course you would need to factor in a return flight (so probably around £600 min).

Then you would need a new power cable as it would have the US spec one, and I would be willing to bet the warranty would be unusable over here (though not 100% sure).

It's a nice idea but seldom one that makes sense to actually do
Click to expand...

Worldwide warranty. But yeah not worth the effort.
 
Barnfather said:
No, because I believe the US cost is minus sales tax, which will vary depending on where it's bought.

Factor in the tax in say, California which is 7.5% (it varies state to state), and the US machine will cost $3,761 which at todays exchange rate is £3,083. If you get caught bringing it back to the UK you could be hit with significant import duty to recover VAT, and of course you would need to factor in a return flight (so probably around £600 min).

Then you would need a new power cable as it would have the US spec one, and I would be willing to bet the warranty would be unusable over here (though not 100% sure).

It's a nice idea but seldom one that makes sense to actually do
Click to expand...

You are allowed to bring a computer back from the states without having to pay import duty, just don't take the piss and bring 20 of them. I brought one back in my checked in luggage, with the box still in the cellophane wrapper and no one said anything. The warranty is world wide so that's not an issue. I'm not sure if it's worth travelling there just for the machine, but if you are going there anyway then picking one up of definitely worth it.
 
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General question for the UK (I asked this on the other MacBook Pro thread, but so far no responses :()

Does anyone know if I can use both my student discount and claim the VAT back? I can't find anything that suggests I can't, but just want to double check before I order (since obviously 20% VAT back is a lot more than the 10% student discount if I have to pick one or the other).
 
Taylor-C said:
General question for the UK (I asked this on the other MacBook Pro thread, but so far no responses :()

Does anyone know if I can use both my student discount and claim the VAT back? I can't find anything that suggests I can't, but just want to double check before I order (since obviously 20% VAT back is a lot more than the 10% student discount if I have to pick one or the other).
Click to expand...
Technically you can. The discount is based on who is buying, not what they're buying for. So if you work in a business, are buying the MacBook Pro as a business expense, and have the ability to claim VAT back, and also happen to be an individual entitled to special pricing, then it is legitimate to claim both.

Back on topic: OP, by my calculations once taking into account taxes in the UK vs. California, the MBP is just £20-40 more here than in the States. We got off lightly.
 
Taylor-C said:
General question for the UK (I asked this on the other MacBook Pro thread, but so far no responses :()

Does anyone know if I can use both my student discount and claim the VAT back? I can't find anything that suggests I can't, but just want to double check before I order (since obviously 20% VAT back is a lot more than the 10% student discount if I have to pick one or the other).
Click to expand...

Your student discount probably won't be accepted over there (already tried that), though it might depend on the store you go to. Even with their full price Apple care it's still cheaper than buying in the uk with student discount
 
Brookzy said:
Technically you can. The discount is based on who is buying, not what they're buying for. So if you work in a business, are buying the MacBook Pro as a business expense, and have the ability to claim VAT back, and also happen to be an individual entitled to special pricing, then it is legitimate to claim both.

Back on topic: OP, by my calculations once taking into account taxes in the UK vs. California, the MBP is just £20-40 more here than in the States. We got off lightly.
Click to expand...

Ah, yes. I am a student (thankfully only for a few more months!) and have a VAT registered business, so I guess I can do both then... Hmm... That might persuade me to get a max'd out 15" then, as it's £3037 with student discount and less the VAT.

matt3526 said:
Your student discount probably won't be accepted over there (already tried that), though it might depend on the store you go to. Even with their full price Apple care it's still cheaper than buying in the uk with student discount
Click to expand...

I'm not 100% sure what you mean I'm afraid, I live in the UK (and am a student at a UK university) so I'm not really sure why my student discount wouldn't be accepted :confused:
 
Taylor-C said:
Ah, yes. I am a student (thankfully only for a few more months!) and have a VAT registered business, so I guess I can do both then... Hmm... That might persuade me to get a max'd out 15" then, as it's £3037 with student discount and less the VAT.
Click to expand...
To clarify - though I think it is clear, but just in case - Apple will not sell you a device with student discount and VAT removed. You will have to buy it with the student discount inc. VAT and claim the VAT back as you would any other business expense at your next tax cycle. :)
 
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Taylor-C said:
Ah, yes. I am a student (thankfully only for a few more months!) and have a VAT registered business, so I guess I can do both then... Hmm... That might persuade me to get a max'd out 15" then, as it's £3037 with student discount and less the VAT.



I'm not 100% sure what you mean I'm afraid, I live in the UK (and am a student at a UK university) so I'm not really sure why my student discount wouldn't be accepted :confused:
Click to expand...

I think the confusion is because the thread is about flying to the states to buy the laptop.
 
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Taylor-C said:
Ah, yes. I am a student (thankfully only for a few more months!) and have a VAT registered business, so I guess I can do both then... Hmm... That might persuade me to get a max'd out 15" then, as it's £3037 with student discount and less the VAT.



I'm not 100% sure what you mean I'm afraid, I live in the UK (and am a student at a UK university) so I'm not really sure why my student discount wouldn't be accepted :confused:
Click to expand...

To get a student discount in the US you need to be a student in a US institution
 
Brookzy said:
To clarify - though I think it is clear, but just in case - Apple will not sell you a device with student discount and VAT removed. You will have to buy it with the student discount inc. VAT and claim the VAT back as you would any other business expense at your next tax cycle. :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, hopefully it will be shipped and I will be charged late November so it works in nicely with my VAT quarter :D
Thanks for your help!

UnluckyXIII said:
I think the confusion is because the thread is about flying to the states to buy the laptop.
Click to expand...

Oh, right... I didn't actually read that :oops: I just read "UK Orders" :facepalm: Thanks :D

matt3526 said:
To get a student discount in the US you need to be a student in a US institution
Click to expand...

Sorry - I got a little mixed up (see above) I just read "UK Orders" and assumed this was a general UK thread... I didn't read the OP about going to the US... :oops:
 
Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB Flash Storage, 13.3" = £999 (about $1215)

Good value for money?
 
matt3526 said:
You are allowed to bring a computer back from the states without having to pay import duty, just don't take the piss and bring 20 of them. I brought one back in my checked in luggage, with the box still in the cellophane wrapper and no one said anything. The warranty is world wide so that's not an issue. I'm not sure if it's worth travelling there just for the machine, but if you are going there anyway then picking one up of definitely worth it.
Click to expand...

That is not correct, you are not 'allowed' to bring a brand new computer back without paying import duty.

You can get away with it sure, just walk through the green channel at the airport - you will probably be fine, which happened with you. You were breaking the law though.

They do sometimes do random checks, and if they did stop you and found the laptop, you would have to pay the import duty, VAT at 17.5% and likely a penalty fine too.

If you do decide to bring one back, it's best to remove all packaging and put in a laptop bag. It's then highly unlikely you would have a problem but not impossible, I guess.
 
One more thing to add, @kinster, is that in the US you'll get a US keyboard layout (unless you special order on Apple.com). This means no £ symbol, and the gross horizontal return key. :p
 
Brookzy said:
One more thing to add, @kinster, is that in the US you'll get a US keyboard layout (unless you special order on Apple.com). This means no £ symbol, and the gross horizontal return key. :p
Click to expand...

Yeah I've noticed that from previous models too.
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Barnfather said:
That is not correct, you are not 'allowed' to bring a brand new computer back without paying import duty.

You can get away with it sure, just walk through the green channel at the airport - you will probably be fine, which happened with you. You were breaking the law though.

They do sometimes do random checks, and if they did stop you and found the laptop, you would have to pay the import duty, VAT at 17.5% and likely a penalty fine too.

If you do decide to bring one back, it's best to remove all packaging and put in a laptop bag. It's then highly unlikely you would have a problem but not impossible, I guess.
Click to expand...

Obviously @matt3526 and others already know not to bring "newly" boxed products back in their suitcases.
 
Brookzy said:
One more thing to add, @kinster, is that in the US you'll get a US keyboard layout (unless you special order on Apple.com). This means no £ symbol, and the gross horizontal return key. :p
Click to expand...

I'm in the UK and specifically ordered by MBP with the US layout because I prefer it.

Then again I'm a programmer so the lack of native hash key annoys the hell out of me. Plus I always hit the bottom of the return key with my little finger (current MBP has a wear mark where I hit it). Longer shift key as well....

 
sn00p said:
I'm in the UK and specifically ordered by MBP with the US layout because I prefer it.

Then again I'm a programmer so the lack of native hash key annoys the hell out of me. Plus I always hit the bottom of the return key with my little finger (current MBP has a wear mark where I hit it). Longer shift key as well....

Click to expand...
It's great they provide the option! :)

(# = Alt+3 on a British layout BTW)
 
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