Buying iPad in the US
I'm going to be working from the US one week a month for the next year - was in the Apple store earlier this week and noticed the iPad Air is working out about £100/£90 less than UK prices. If I were to buy one, there shouldn't be any issues getting it through security/customs at all are there?
Buying iPad in the US
Taking an iPad laptop etc is an every day thing don't see why this would be an issue.
Only issue would be if you get a cellular one I'm sure the IK network ones won't work over there and vice versa
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Buying iPad in the US
Warranty used to be wifi ones were covered but 3G ones weren't I would check that as if goes faulty you may have send back USA
Edit if your there for year won't matter lol
Re: Buying iPad in the US
If they ask you to prove you bought it in the UK then you will get stung for VAT and import duty....
If at first you don't succeed.....redefine success. . . .
Re: Buying iPad in the US
Just ditch the box and packing treat it like you brought it with you if questioned.Originally Posted by blaggard
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Re: Buying iPad in the US
Yeah because customs will believe that. . . .
If at first you don't succeed.....redefine success. . . .
Re: Buying iPad in the US
I don't obviously mean in the airport.
You buy it from an apple store over there then ditch the packaging etc before you travel.
I've been back and forward to New York recently with my iPad and MacBooks never been questioned at all
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Re: Buying iPad in the US
Sounds good, cheers. I was thinking I could put the packaging into my check-in case and take the iPad on with me as hand luggage.
Re: Buying iPad in the US
That doesn't mean you WON'T be pulled out of the queue, presumably they can find out from serial numbers where the purchase was made, if they want to know they'll find out. Anyway, the risk is up to the individual....
If at first you don't succeed.....redefine success. . . .
Re: Buying iPad in the US
Are we talking firearms or ipads here? why on earth would they stop anyone and ask them to prove its been bought in the UK? Just about every single person who flies is handling an Ipad or a smart phone which would fall under the same scrutiny so why would they pull one person over to check? Even if they do pull someone up, who carries any sort of proof of purchase with them every day?
There's a massive amount of people here in China who hop over to HK to buy electronics as they are much cheaper and the advice is to just carry it in hand luggage but ditch the packaging.
Last edited by {{909}}; 30th March 2014 at 02:21 PM.
stevo25 (30th March 2014), TheFincher (30th March 2014)
Re: Buying iPad in the US
As long as you take the labels out they will not know if you bought it in the UK or USA. They are not going to go to the trouble of checking out serial numbers, for fucks sake they have better things to do.
Its better to burn out than to fade away...............
Re: Buying iPad in the US
I've been though customs heaps of times with multiple electronic gadgets, all bought from overseas. never been stopped once. I don't see it as a problem.
Just don't keep the box.
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Re: Buying iPad in the US
I thought you could bring something through customs as long as the value wasn't a over £370?
"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds" - Albert Einstein
Re: Buying iPad in the US
Just buy it - ditch the packaging as said. Mate does it a few items a year. They'd be fucking busy if they stopped everyone with a iPad.
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Re: Buying iPad in the US
Done this several times with new kit, ipads a few times for the family and also camera equipment and a macbook air
Re: Buying iPad in the US
Firstly the US price won't include sales tax so depending on which state you are going to expect to add about 7% to the price seen.
If you're buying the cellular version make sure you get the version that's compatible with UK networks. I think you just need to avoid Verizon basically. The AT&T ones certainly work here and mine works over there with a AT&T or a T-Mobile SIM in it.
As for bringing it back . Technically any goods you bring back if the TOTAL value is more than £390 then you are due to pay the tax. Customs know every trick in the book and could check the serial number anyway so it make bugger all difference really what you do with the packaging.
Realistically it should not be a issue - TECHNICALLY the limit is £390 but I've brought a iPad back a few times and never hit any problems even with other stuff as well. I know several people that have as well as macbooks etc.. that have come back.
Re: Buying iPad in the US
Ok... with the Smart Case allowing 7% sales tax and 3% credit card charge works out about £385 vs £465 in the UK.
Last edited by Brydo666; 30th March 2014 at 09:51 PM.
Re: Buying iPad in the US
The 7% is a typical US State sales tax .. it varies by state. You'll save yourself a few quid.
Don't forget to factor in you'll get a US power adaptor and not a UK one.
Re: Buying iPad in the US
Customs don't really give a fuck about your ipad tax avoidance. They're quite busy trying to stop real contraband and mass avoidance of duty.
Re: Buying iPad in the US
Just keep the iPad in your hand luggage, as everyone has said so many people have them while flying anyway. As for the packaging, post it to your self! Wouldn't cost a lot to post a smallish empty cardboard box back, keeps the value having everything with it and you're less likely to get stung for duty.
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