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Original poster

How do people go on shopping sprees when in America?

47 replies

S0CKS · 30/06/2019 18:05

So im off to the states shortly and was wanting to go on a shopping spree - ive just read I can only do £390 worth.

How do people go on big shopping hauls in the states? And buy engagement rings etc? How do i declare it etc?

Was planning on doing Christmas shopping!

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 30/06/2019 18:06

I would class £390 as a spree.

applepineapple · 30/06/2019 18:08

I spent much more than that on my trip to Sephora and didn't declare anything at all. No issues coming back into UK

katesxo · 30/06/2019 18:08

this is probably the wrong answer but i just buy whatever (well over £390) and pray they don't stop me at customs - i go to orlando so pretty sure that that's what everyone else does too... it's literally impossible not to spend that at disney

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orangeshoebox · 30/06/2019 18:09

by not declaring it mainly.
removing all labels, outer packaging from toys and tech, not taking receipts.
and hoping not to get caught. fines are really high. and it's unpleasant being grilled by customs.

and of course you can buy more - you just need to declare it and pay duty.

NotYourHolidayDick · 30/06/2019 18:10

Just take the tags off and unbox everything and pack as normal Confused

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 30/06/2019 18:10

I didn't know there was a limit to how much you could spend. I spent $1000 in an hour in apple and Tiffany.

ChangesAt30 · 30/06/2019 18:14

I'm going to the USA in October and didn't realise there was a limit!

DH is wanting to buy lots of clothes at the outlets, do I need to remove the tags before we come home?

redredrobins · 30/06/2019 18:19

Remove tags, wear the clothes.

Original poster
S0CKS · 30/06/2019 18:20

Thanks - such an obvious idea just to take tags off why i didn't think of that i dont know!

OP posts:
DontCallMeShitley · 30/06/2019 18:20

Post the paperwork, tags, receipts etc. to yourself at home, along with any packaging you want to keep.

Unwrap stuff, wear some of it, pack the rest normally. Best not to take too much luggage if you intend to bring a lot back.

Fairylea · 30/06/2019 18:21

I had no idea there was a limit! Dd travels to the USA every summer and brings back tons of stuff. They never question anything at all. She does remove tags I guess though as she usually wears most of what she’s brought when she’s out there before coming back.

DullPortraits · 30/06/2019 18:21

You need to remove the tags and any packaging. Def do not bring receipts back either.

Buddyelf · 30/06/2019 18:21

I didn’t realise there was a limit either and spent at least double that when I went Confused I would say make sure the labels are off and pack the clothes/jewellery etc as normal?

PinkieTuscadero · 30/06/2019 18:25

I seem to remember Colleen Rooney getting caught out a few years ago when she went on a shopping spree to NY and didn't realise she was meant to declare it on her way back. And I'd imagine her spree was a proper spree.

SoyDora · 30/06/2019 18:25

it's literally impossible not to spend that at disney

Impossible how? What do you have to buy at Disney?

PonderingPanda · 30/06/2019 19:52

I went to Florida and NYC this year and didn't buy much at all. Exchange rate isnt that favourable and as I'm not into branded names then l can get cheaper here.

My sister however..... spent a fortune on trainers. She left her old tatty ones behind. Wore some whilst there so the soles were dirty and spread the rest between hand luggage, her cases, her DH,DM and mine
... yes...there were that many!

skippy67 · 30/06/2019 20:03

Smuggling.

Allhailthesun · 30/06/2019 20:10

Just don’t come back looking like the person who might buy loads. Understated not dripping in labels or jewellery.
They target certain flights - more likely to be stopped before a Christmas. School holidays not so much.

negomi90 · 30/06/2019 20:12

I've brought a lot of electronics from there. As long as its personal use its fine.

WalnutCabinet · 30/06/2019 20:13

The exchange rate is so poor that unless the item is unique to the USA it isn't worth it at the moment. back when it was 2 USD to the £ it was a different picture.

With online credit cards there is little point removing tags or not bringing back receipts unless you pay cash.

We have probably been 50 times and never seen anyone stopped at customs. Fly onto a regional airport with bag transfer would be another one.

burnoutbabe · 30/06/2019 20:23

Surely any of these suggestions are encouraging fraud/tax evasion?

NotYourHolidayDick · 30/06/2019 20:25

Probably. But I can count the number of fucks I give on a pinhead ☺

sqeakywheel · 30/06/2019 20:30

When we went the NYC I expected there to be loads of stuff I'd like to buy. I was really disappointed because the clothes were really old fashioned. I didn't look in a lot of shops, but people had said how brilliant it was for shopping.

EdWinchester · 30/06/2019 20:34

I always spend far more than that.

Lastbustowhitehawk · 30/06/2019 20:35

@squeakywheel same!! I was really looking forward to going to Macy's and didn't find a single thing I liked - lots of blingy tops and leopard print :s

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