"You can bring in other goods worth up to £390"
Aug 10, 2018, 3:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: flyover country
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"You can bring in other goods worth up to £390"
The quote in the subject line is from <https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-outside-the-eu>. Is that £390 per item or total? If it's total, it seems like many travelers would go over the limit. Even if it's per item, many computers and even some suitcases cost that much by themselves. There does not seem to be any exemption for a non-commercial visitor carrying only items for personal use.
Am I misreading something? How many people bring in other goods worth over £390? How many declare the goods?
Am I misreading something? How many people bring in other goods worth over £390? How many declare the goods?
Aug 10, 2018, 3:48 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
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Firstly, it refers to goods which will stay in the U.K, so the business person need not declare the laptop that will leave with them.
Secondly, of course not many declare when they are over the limit. When the pound was worth 2US$, you were kind of expected to come back from the States with more than that.
As with most countries, it’s a combination of not taking the pee and not getting caught.
Secondly, of course not many declare when they are over the limit. When the pound was worth 2US$, you were kind of expected to come back from the States with more than that.
As with most countries, it’s a combination of not taking the pee and not getting caught.
Last edited by Scots_Al; Aug 10, 2018 at 4:18 pm
Aug 10, 2018, 9:01 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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please use the proper format for links. putting < > around them helps no one.
The allowance is in total, Which is what is says in the link. And that you quote in the thread title.
The allowance is in total, Which is what is says in the link. And that you quote in the thread title.
Aug 11, 2018, 7:30 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2012
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Yes, practically everybody will have goods over £390, but the allowance doesn't apply to goods that were purchased in the UK with tax paid. Technically goods with duty paid should be registered with HMRC before departing the UK, but if everyone did that there wouldn't be enough time or staff to do anything else.
Customs in the UK is intelligence-led.
Aug 11, 2018, 12:24 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: flyover country
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It sounds like I'm reading the wrong web page. I had assumed the limit applied to non-UK citizens visiting the UK; you make it sound like it's for UK citizens returning to the UK.
Aug 12, 2018, 12:50 am
#7
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The limit applies to everyone but it’s only for goods that remain in the UK (i.e. are permanently imported). Obviously in 99.9% of cases, this will apply to UK residents (not citizens) rather than tourists or business visitors.
Aug 12, 2018, 3:52 am
#8
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As mentioned, the limits apply to everybody entering the UK, but a tourist doesn't need to worry about their personal possessions that they will bring home with them.
Aug 13, 2018, 7:49 am
#10
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Aug 17, 2018, 12:28 am
#13
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it still applies to,goods remaining in the Eiropean Union, not only in the UK.
Aug 18, 2018, 3:46 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2009
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It's another over-simplified gov.uk web page which is so dumbed-down that it leaves out essential information.
The essential information is that the limit is for goods that remain in the UK (or rest of EU).
The essential information is that the limit is for goods that remain in the UK (or rest of EU).