hi folks,
im away to florida next month and was just wondering if i were to buy say a rod and reel would i have to pay any extra tax to bring it back to the uk?

I think it would depend on the value of the goods, but I'm sure a rod & reel would attract import duty. I think it would be about 4% of the purchase price but I'm not sure. I think it would also attract VAT at 20% too but I'm not certain of either to be truly honest. If you "google" IMPORT DUTY CALCULATOR I'm sure you'll get a more accurate answer than mine
Hope this helps a little,

Rudolf

I've bought loads of gear in Florida when on my hols and have never had to pay any extra.
I would say though that it all fitted inside the main suitcases.

youre allowed things upto the value of 145quid before you have to pay. but what if i put the rod tube in my case with no tags, would they open my case? anyone past experiance of buying a rod and bringing it back from america?

Theoretically anything you bring in with you is liable for tax, (over the meagre threshold), it all depends on whether you feel confident in walking through the "Nothing to declare" section when you have hundreds of pounds worth of goods in your suitcase! Just make sure you've disposed of all receipts and don't save them in your suitcase, I have heard of cases where they've found them on a search and slammed taxes accordingly on the traveller.
I spent a year back in Oz in 96 and bought a load of Loomis rods there. I got a bit nervous and declared it when coming back in at Heathrow. The shirty customs guy wouldn't have any of it when I said I had been living there for a year and were used and slammed £200 import duty on me!

the personal allowance is roughly 350 pounds for items that you carry back before they incur duty/VAT. If you ship items in the allowance is 18 pounds.

Of course if you don't declare it and they don't check it, then you'll likely not pay anything at all regardless of the value brought back.

Thanks
Rick

Been to California loadsa times and never paid a penny.
Buy all the stuff out there, use it,....tell em you bought it in the UK....an old rod case or bag taken with you wouldn't hurt,.....and post all the receipts/paperwork back home before you leave.
Tell 'em you bought it all at a garage sale,....No tax on second-hand items.
But there again,...I'm a wide boy,...kushty!!!!

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You can bring back £350 worth for personal use. Hence why people go to New York for the weekend shopping.

"What? This? I had this with me when I came here mate"..

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