Buying Apple In U S A

[Islay]

Is there any reason that I couldn't buy an apple product in the states whilst I am there on holiday?

[-Talbot-]

You'll pay more tax on that one product than Apple pays full stop


?

[woofgang]

check that your guarantee will work in the Uk as many big companies have guarantees that are not global. Keep in mind that the vat/customs whatever stuff will push the price up.

[EDDIE51]

^^ Yes by the time you have paid import duty and VAT there may not be much if any difference.

[Islay]

so apart from the import duty - which I may or may not declare - my gamble, not really an issue then.

Cheers

[woofgang]

check that the Apple guarantee is global.

[hc4361]

Am I right in thinking that if you don't declare it at customs you can't claim back the tax you paid in the US?

The tax in America varies from state to state.

[woofgang]

I am not sure you can claim it back anyway hc

[tonyav]

I know someone that bought an i phone in Las Vegas a couple of years ago, no problem. About 6 months later he had a problem with the battery, took it to the Apple store in Birmingham and they fixed it for free.

[woofgang]

US Gov.t says no
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/373/~/how-to-obtain-a-refund-of-sales-tax-paid-while-visiting-the-united-states

[hc4361]

Thanks, woofgang

[EDDIE51]

If they check it they can tell from the serial nos if it was sold in the USA. If you fail to declare and they find it, you are fined AND the item is confiscated and destroyed.

[237SJ]

No reason at all. Check that the warranty is worldwide (it should be). Sometimes it is just easier to buy things in the UK though.

[jno]

by and large they're not going to check every passenger to see if they have iPads, as most of them do and life's too short. Even if they find evidence that it was sold in the USA, they can't necessarily prove that you were the original buyer. You might want to throw away the manual (or post it to yourself) as well as the box, but you'll just look like a million other passengers.

[237SJ]

If Customs have any doubt as to where you bought your products, throwing away your receipt will not cut it. Believe me, UKBA know every trick in the book. If I were you though, I wouldn`t lose too much sleep over it

[Islay]

Thanks all