fartoomanyusers

Since a 10 year full passport is 80 euro - would it not be worth paying the extra 10 euro (and locking down the cost) to give you the extra flexibility of travelling to non-EU countries ?

I've got two different passports, so don't have to worry about this

irishguy28

Probably just as well; they may have proceeded to confiscate that, too!

chistery

We knew it already, but they are now admitting it's a made up rule.

The airport VAT scam

carrotjuice

“HMRC cannot comment on the pricing policies of individual retailers.”

This is such cop out.

VAT is intended to be consumption tax paid by an eligible consumer of goods and services. VAT was not created to boost the profits of retailers at the expense of consumers.

corporate-wage-slave

I'm surprised this is a surprise actually. And I'm surprised at The Independent's skills at maths - if they got that wrong, what else did they get wrong?

FlipGFlop

I did once have a brief discussion with someone at WH Smith about the fact that I was buying a zero rated item and flying to an EU destination so there was no VAT for them to reclaim.

Now I just tell them my wife has my boarding card; they sometimes ask me where I'm going and I tell them - works almost every time: they'd rather have my money and keep the queue moving.

If they would split the saving with me then I'd be happy to show them.

golfmad

I really don't have a problem with retailers recovering VAT paid by those traveling abroad. If I'm happy with a price in a store I'll pay it, otherwise I won't. The net cost to the retailer doesn't concern me.

Sam Bee

When I was an unaccompanied child a BA Stewardess escorting me through immigration told me i'm not allowed to make jokes to the customs peoples at Heathrow.

Turns out there is no rule against it

But the consequences mean i've never cracked another joke since about what i've got in my luggage

Flythe96flag

Whilst not strictly on BA, I've been told on two individual Finnair flights that the use of Bluetooth headsets is forbidden for the duration of the flight. I find that interesting, since on tens, if not hundreds of other flights on Finnair I've never been told anything. Never been an issue on BA or any other carrier either.

I'm curious what the official stance is on Bluetooth headsets, in terms of BA policy.

chistery

I've wondered this too, as I like to use my bluetooth headset, and found this

Fitch

That's less of a made-up rule and more of a lie-to-children which has probably saved you a lot of grief in your adult life

Dan72

This is not that unusual. Those are internationally recogniseable hazard signs and can lead to items being confiscated, as others above have noted. I often have insect repellant confiscated, as the ones i need to use are often marked as a toxic hazard. If you travel to more exotic locations, I expect you would experience these type of confiscations more often.

As for 2, the US have quite different rules and can see that they would need everyone seated before pushback.

skba1

Not a rule as such, but I did have a stupid situation today at ORD.

Using the machines (serial offender of using ESTA) I tick that I have commercial goods [which I do and have arranged all necessary customs papers/brokerage]. I get a large cross and have to stand in line for 20 mins - only to have my photo taken again and basically no questions asked once I say I have a broker.

Drumroll...

Pick up luggage and see a few hundred yards of queues. Ask an officer if there is a way to go to the red channel as I already have a broker arranged. I am firmly told no - you have to wait in line. Ok, so I wait for another 15-20 mins to get to an officer that is directing bags for random searches only to be told I have to go to the red lane [NO .... SHERLOCK I KNEW THIS OVER AN HOUR AGO]. Once I'm in the red lane I get served immediately and am through in 5-10 mins.

So 1. Why does the machines not allow you to declare goods like the paper form does? (Yes, I have too much money or commercial goods - and am planning on declaring this = RED line, not secondary interview to enter the U.S.)
2. Why are the officers (or for that matter the system) not smart enough to realise that any individuals already looking to go to the red lane do not have to stand in line for a 'random' search lane. It is obvious from my blue form (or white print-out from the machine) that I have to go into the red lane.

carrotjuice

Seems the retailers are reacting to the Independent article.

I was at Fortnum at T5 and when the checkout girl asked for my boarding pass, I asked in return why if the items I purchased were exactly the same price as their Piccadilly store. She kinda glanced knowingly at another checkout girl who stepped in to say that "BA asked them to scan the passes!?"

In the end, when I refused, she took out a piece of paper from under the counter which contained a dummy barcode and scanned that instead!

Worcester

What were you buying? If it was only food items they are zero rated for VAT.