I am just wondering if anyone has had expericence in buying CD players, Amps etc from the US. I have been looking at a wensite over there and the prices seem silly. They have an amp on it that I bought a few years back in a shop locally for £460 and they have it on special offer at £160!

Does anyone have any idea if I would have to apy duty if I got a friend to bring it into the UK with them as it would be a gift.

I know if I was to do it mail order from the company over there then I would

need to pay duty on it. Any idea what percentage this is?

 

Many thanks,

 

Justin:)

If it is sent as a gift, sample or been sent for repair then no duty will be due.

 

If you get collered i think it`s 27 1/2% (17 1/2 vat 10% duty)

Thanks Bob,

 

I'm sure I could get someone to get it as a gift. And it would certainley save a few more pennies.

 

Anyone know if car audio bought in the states is compatible with cars in the UK? I guess it would be as it is not like different voltages such as home electronics.

 

Cheers,

 

Justin

I don't think you can sent it as a gift and get away with it anymore. You're supposed to pay tax on anything over £36 (I think, it's something low anyways) even if it's a gift. You could ask the sender to lower the value on the paperwork they send but if it gets lost, you wouldn't be insured for the full value. Your best bet would be to get it brought over, that's what my brother does for me when he visits :)

 

Vijay

Thanks Viijay, I know someone who would probably be able to do that for me. I would imagine they would have to declare it at the airport though.

 

Justin

Watch out if your buying a cd player head unit as some of them only have the frequency for american radio stations, but any speakers that are 4ohm (some are 8ohm in the states) are fine and all amps, graphic equalisers, crossovers etc are the same.

 

Olly.

Hi Justin,

 

They only declare it if asked and then you would just bring the value right down ;)

 

Vijay

I've had lots of stuff shipped from the states and all I did was to tell them to put a sicker on the parcel to say that it was a gift.

 

I didn't pay any extra ..