Do you have to pay import tax when you buy stuff from abroad? I was talking to my mate who told me you can buy a cheap laptop in Singapore and when you return home you dont have to pay any import costs. Doesn't sound right to me.

I once bought a digital camera from America via ebay.
I hadn't even considered import tax which would have whacked the price up no end.

Luckily the seller wrapped it to look like a gift & put on the custome docket 'gift'.

This escaped import tax & was very forward thinking of the seller cause I'd not given it a second thought :rolleyes:

You are correct. I believe that any such item over £18 is liable to import duty. The exceptions are items bought anywhere in the European Union, which are duty free.

I bought laptop and handy cam from dubai .I havent paid customs duty .

You normally have to pay import duty and then VAT (so essentially you are paying VAT on tax!).

The trick is if you're coming home from a holiday, make it look like you already owned it and took it out with you. Don't bring it back in the box!

If you're buying from the internet, ask the seller to mark it as a gift or second hand. It doesn't cost them anything to do so.

However, a lot of companies are not getting wise to these 'grey imports' and may refuse to honour the warranty. Sony are reputed to be doing this with the new portable Playstaion.

My husband bought a computer accessory off E Bay from China, he thought it was a bargain at only £18.00, but he got stung for £57.00 import tax, I think a lot depends what is put on the paperwork so becareful.

Technically you should pay import duty, it's best to stick 'gift' on the box or 'no comercial value' or list a value of under £100. It's still luck of the draw as to wether you get stung, they can't check ever box! I think it also depends on which courier is used but I don't know much more than that. I am currently trying to buy a CD player from China and it's going to be fingers crossed I think!

I bought a womans sex aid from France the only problem was it did not go Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

it went

bourdonnement? bourdonnement? bourdonnement?

so be carefull when purchasing foreign goods!!!!
thats my advice!!!