IMac 27" as baggage?

Hi,

off to Orlando shortly and I had hoped to purchase a 27" IMac while out there...

Question is, what is the best way to get it back home via my Virgin flight - I think the box is too big as hand luggage (online suggests the box is 30" x 24" x 9" with a weight approaching 20Kg).

[mitchja]

There's no way it will be allowed as hand luggage (the newest 27" iMacs are only about ~10kg now, without the box), but due to the size, there's no chance sorry.

You only option is really either a courier or risking it going as checked luggage.

I personally wouldn't want to risk either with something so expensive and fragile like a new iMac.

There's no way it will be allowed as hand luggage.

Not necessarily true, whilst i wouldn't ever want to take the gamble, on my last flight from MCO, someone did bring a MAC 27" on board ! . Can't be sure it was a MAC in the box of course but they defiantly had the box

Thy were travelling in PE so maybe they managed to wing it?

[Neil]

Just remember that buying an iMac will take you wayyyyyyyy over your duty free allowance so not sure walking through customs will a fully boxed up one would be the best idea!

hmmm, good point about customs...
Still not entirely sure best way to do this. Maybe the folks in the Apple Store will advise - I can't be the first Brit to walk in on holiday and buy this particular piece of kit.

any other ideas folks?

hmmm, good point about customs...
Still not entirely sure best way to do this. Maybe the folks in the Apple Store will advise - I can't be the first Brit to walk in on holiday and buy this particular piece of kit.

any other ideas folks?

Hmm not sure. Even if you packed it well and shipped via a reputable courier firm you would still have to pay import duty.
If you packed it well and put in your suitcase? Hmmm I don't think that would be a good plan either.

I too would be interested to hear others opinions.

Having said that I once bought a drumkit in nyack and shipped it home as check in luggage and declared it at customs at LHR. After paying for flight hotel drunk it and duties I paid the same as if I bought in UK but had 3 nights in NYC.

You might consider finding a larger box and 'double' packing the iMac in its box, inside a larger one with great protection. Then mark it fragile etc. This might also make the box anonymous rather than walking through customs with a big flag on your head.

I've brought cases of wine back from the US in the hold, with no problem at all - it all depends on how well things are packed and that they're tagged fragile.

It is then up to you to determine how to handle customs.

I have bought cheap bags to put the box into or wrapped them in towels and put them in a suitcase - although not Apple stuff. There is no way on earth I would put an imac in the hold. Or any sort of mac. Maybe a Big Mac, but not anything made by Apple, there are too many stories of it being stolen.

You might consider finding a larger box and 'double' packing the iMac in its box, inside a larger one with great protection. Then mark it fragile etc. This might also make the box anonymous rather than walking through customs with a big flag on your head.

I've brought cases of wine back from the US in the hold, with no problem at all - it all depends on how well things are packed and that they're tagged fragile.

It is then up to you to determine how to handle customs.

thats a good idea actually.
at LHR do customs check everyone who has a box on their trolley?

No. YMMV.

at LHR do customs check everyone who has a box on their trolley?

No, but always remember customs have seen everything before and know exactly what they're looking for. Including high priced electrical goods from the USA.

Personally I wouldn't risk putting a £1500+ computer in the hold. Too much chance of it being stolen or breaking (have you seen the way baggage handlers chuck stuff around?)

And if you try and take it as hand baggage you run a double risk of it being rejected for being too big, and of being caught by customs. The worry would stress me out for the entire trip so on balance, for peace of mind if nothing else, I think I'd (reluctantly) pay the UK inflated price.

Is it really worth the effort / cost / risk?

You'll pay $1,799 plus sales tax of 6% so $1,906 on a base 27" iMac. The UK price is £1,499 including VAT or (depending on the exchange rate you get) $2,308. So a good saving - and typical of how we get ripped off in this country by retailers.

However, if you declare or run the risk of not declaring and get caught, you'll be liable to a customs fee of 2.5% of the sales price so $47.65 plus VAT at 20% so $360, making a total of $2,313 (the fee and VAT will be calculated in Sterling). I'm not sure if VAT is calculated net of any local sales tax but the overall difference is still relatively marginal.

So you could end up paying more, plus the risk of shipment damage, plus any other incidental costs (for example you'll need a UK power cable at £45.

It would be foolhardy to advise or otherwise on whether to risk bringing it in. I can only share an experience of brining wine over from California - we have an odd allowance of 4 litres per person. Which is ridiculous when you see that most bottles are 750 ml, making 5.33 bottles per person. Whoever dreamt that up, I wonder ?| . When I last brought a dozen bottles between two of us I walked through the red channel, thinking that a big box saying "Wine, Fragile' all over it might get noticed. The customs officer looked at me with a bored expression and waived me through.

McHaggis

How much do you reckon you are saving by buying it in the US?

The reason I ask is because I reckon that if you factor in the hassle of bringing it back, customs charges/duties, and the possible cashback on a UK purchase, I just can't see it being a particularly attractive option.

Another thing I'd be worrying about is what support is available in the event of failures/defective kit etc. Maybe an Apple guru can advise -- there are plenty here.

EDIT slinky beat me to it!

[Neil]

McHaggis

How much do you reckon you are saving by buying it in the US?

The reason I ask is because I reckon that if you factor in the hassle of bringing it back, customs charges/duties, and the possible cashback on a UK purchase, I just can't see it being a particularly attractive option.

Another thing I'd be worrying about is what support is available in the event of failures/defective kit etc. Maybe an Apple guru can advise -- there are plenty here.

EDIT slinky beat me to it!

In terms of aftercare and warranties etc, that is not an issue. A 'friend' :w has bought a number of Apple devices in the US and received support in the UK without any issue as they have a worldwide warranty.

For me it seems to much hassle, okay a MBA/Pro, iPad etc which can be carried in hand luggage with ease it okay, but a huge 27" iMac just seems like too much hard work and risk for the saving.

I've done a few iPad's in my time but I couldn't quite get used to the US layout on a Macbook so decided against buying one. An iMac is a big thing to bring back though!

[mitchja]

All Apple products (excluding iPhones) come with a Worldwide warranty.

I've also purchased MacBooks and WiFi iPads in the US with no issues. An iMac would be a no no as it's just too big and expensive to risk.

The only other things I wont buy in the US are iPhones and cellular iPads (as the US versions are not compatible with the current EE 4G or any of the other soon to launch 4G UK networks).

Thanks folks.

I've brought home tons of stuff well over customs allowances value in the past... Jewellery, ipad, golf clubs etc and never even seen a single person at the desks on my return. I'm more than happy to run that risk.

Warranty is, as others have said, worldwide and I had no problems getting a replacement ipad in Glasgow for one purchased in Orlando.

However, this is a very big item and if hand luggage is a no-no then the hold is the only place for it, and that risk I am much more uncomfortable with. I wonder if I should upgrade to PE or pay for a second hold bag in economy, buy another suitcase and completely surround the machine in its box (which itself contains protection for transport) with towels? Decisions decisions!

The potential savving is marked based on a $1.50 exchange rate. ?|

The potential savving is marked based on a $1.50 exchange rate. ?|

the USD hasnt seen the likes of $1.6 to GBP since the first two weeks of 2013. In the last 3 months the rate has gone from a low of $1.48 to a high of $1.57. The straight average of these two points is around $1.53, $1.5 would be then be a very good tourist rate.

Yup, pounds already exchanged at $1.5009 which isn't bad. Remember the first time I went and it was over $1.90!!

I meant to add,I won't need to pay the sales tax as I have a friend who works for Disney and they get 6% cast member discount in the Apple store, hence my keenness to consider the purchase and transportation issues.

Do you have any friends here who could utilise the Apple Education Link for you. Might reduce the price difference and avoid the hassle?

Consider this ... you can get the base model through the Apple Education store for £1408 and if a member of your family is at university, you can get a bigger discount so it will only cost £1318.80. 3% cashback at Quidco and possibly £70 to spend on apps and I'd question if it's worth the hassle and the risk?

I've brought home tons of stuff well over customs allowances value in the past... Jewellery, ipad, golf clubs etc and never even seen a single person at the desks on my return.

That doesn't mean they're not there! They use one-way glass, plain clothed officers mingling in baggage reclaim and CCTV to track people they suspect from the moment they deplane. Chances are they'll know what's in your case before it arrives on the belt as they can screen luggage as it comes off the plane then use CCTV to track its owner when they claim it. Most customs work is intelligence-led and done behind the scenes, not by random stops in the green channel which are there for show more than anything.

Would they make the effort for a £1500-2000 computer? Chances are no - they'd prefer to save their efforts for big-time smugglers. But hey, it might be a quiet day, they may have targets to meet, who knows - it's a risk.

I wonder if I should upgrade to PE or pay for a second hold bag in economy, buy another suitcase and completely surround the machine in its box (which itself contains protection for transport) with towels?

The former surely wipes out most, if not all, the saving you'd make? I wouldn't want to risk the latter given the way I've seen luggage hurled around but it's your call.

return on the QM2

I've brought home tons of stuff well over customs allowances value in the past... Jewellery, ipad, golf clubs etc and never even seen a single person at the desks on my return.

I was in Orlando when Playstation 3 was launched. At the time, the UK Customs limit was lower than it is now, but even the cheapest PS3 exceeded the limit. Followed a couple through the green channel at MAN who had a brand new boxed up PS3 - the more expensive model too. Oh, they also had 800 cigs each when the limit is 200. They were not stopped.

As gumshoe / others have said, Customs seem to turn a bit of a blind eye to a holidaymaker with an extra bottle / 200 cigs / who has done a bit of shopping while abroad. It's the illegal goods they are trying to stop. That said, the limits are limits & cannot be pooled amongst people / families travelling together. You pays your money & takes your chance in the Green Channel.

Watch any of the various border patrol programmes (usually on Pick TV (channel 11 on freeview) and you'll soon see that customs know who they are looking for and know exactly what the people are carrying even before they have opened the suitcase.

And that applies no matter what country is featured - UK, Ireland (not seen Honey Lamb being stopped - YET!), Australia, New Zealand or Canada.

Don't forget that mail (including sent by couriers) is also scanned on departure and arrival and you won't get your parcel should any duty / vat etc be levied.

Same question was recently asked on BA Flyertalk