Paying Duty on imports

Hello all

The mac mini topic has started me worrying about a couple of things.

1) I am taking with me a portable turntable and my laptop, both of which are worth more than £145. While both are obviously my own property, what's to stop a snide customs officer from wanting to charge me duty on them? Take a receipt/other documentation to prove they were bought in the UK?

2) I plan to buy shedloads of used CD's and DVD's in Tokyo - probably above that £145 limit. Would I have to keep receipts for everything and then declare the lot? Would the fact that they might just be a fiver each see them slip under the net? Should I just mail some to myself as a gift before I leave?

3) Anyone paid duty and what kind of costs were incurred, say on 20 CD's and 20 DVD's?

Best wishes

Paul

[Decker]

1) It is recommended you take proof of prior ownership for things that might not normally have accompanied you.
2) Mailing as a gift is still subject to limits beyond which duty becomes payable.
3) Not tried it sorry. The WORST case on non-excise imports is normally 17.5% + 7.5% but do your own research here

Thanks Decker

The CD's/records/games are more important than the cost as I don't plan to buy anything I can find over here. I'll keep receipts for everything as presumably the officer will calculate duty due based on the amount I paid in Japan.

Best wishes

Paul