Dear Saintly,
First of all, as you mentioned yourself, there's custom duty, as well
as VAT on any object whose price was more than 18 GBP:
"Customs duty and VAT (if due) is payable on goods that you buy over
the Internet and import into the UK from countries outside the EU
unless their value is below £18, see Notice 143, para.3.3."
(SOURCE: HM Customs and Excise, "Shopping on the Internet",
<http://www.hmce.gov.uk/public/shopping/shopping.htm>).
Notice 143, mentioned in the quote; refer to receiving (and sending)
parcels internationally. You could read it at
Notice 143
<http://www.hmce.gov.uk/forms/notices/143.htm>
In addition to customs and VAT (you would probably not be charged for
excise, which is on alcohol, tobacco, etc.), you might have to pay
Consignia plc for clearing the package at the custom offices.
Notice 143 adds this information:
".4 How do I pay Customs charges?
Consignia plc will normally collect charges on delivery. A charge
label will be affixed to the package at the Customs Postal Depot. This
will show the amount of Customs charges to pay as well as any
clearance fee applicable.
Sometimes you may be sent a declaration form which you must complete
and return to the Depot before a package can be delivered. You should
not send any payment of Customs charges with the form unless you are
asked to do so."
(SOURCE: Notice 143, A guide for international post users,
<http://www.hmce.gov.uk/forms/notices/143.htm>).
If I didn't get you and you plan to buy it in the US and bring it in
with you through the airport, you have to go through the red route in
the airport, declare (fill forms) and pay there. You won't be charged
then for postage, naturally.
VAT and customs rates could change - you could check the current rate
with the HM Customs/Excise - 0845 010 9000.
(Other contact means: http://www.hmce.gov.uk/contact/index.htm)
Voltage conversion must be also considered. Most laptops today are
suitable for dual voltage - 110/120V or 220/240V systems. Some aren't
and you'll have to use an adaptor.
(SEE: "Foreign Voltage Systems" By Christopher Gleize, Boots'n'all,
<http://www.bootsnall.com/oddsnends/apr01voltage.shtml>).
Regarding software, there is no much need to worry: I cannot think of
software that would work in the UK but not in the US or vice versa.
However, back to hardware, keyboard is another thing to consider: U.S.
keyboard is different, does not contain some signs but contain others.
If you type blind, it is not much of an issue; if not - you could buy
stickers to put on your keyboard (or insert one through the USB) but
this makes it a bit cumbersome.
Another point, the last one I could think about regarding the costs
and troubles of international shipping, is insurance. Notebooks and
Laptops are very sensible and expensive, and should be insured when
shipped. However, some e-merchants do not provide insurance for
international shipping, or provide very limited insurance. In
addition, for some problems, the shipping company (UPS, FedEx, etc.),
might claim that they are not caused by their services, or that they
are not covered by the insurance. In other words: read the very fine
letters regarding insurance when buying online.
I hope this answered your question. I mostly searched for words such
as "customs"/"custom duty"/"levies" (and in the HM Customs site) to
answer your question. Please contact me if you need any further
clarification before you rate this answer. |
