Engagement Ring- Import Tax in UK?

[Pheebs1201 269]

I was just reading another thread where someone said they always leave their engagement ring in the US after they have visited, as they are concerned about having to pay import tax on it when they return to their home country.

Has anyone travelling back to the UK with their engagement ring had this problem?

[TheCaptain 67]

I would not worry about this at all. Usually you only have to pay import tax on items which are sealed and could possibly be re-sold in the UK market.

There is no way for them to know what you took out of the country so how could they possibly know what you are bringing back in unless you bring it back sealed in a box with receipts etc.

A bit of a myth if you ask me.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

That's crazy! Unless you packed it in your luggage, in a gift box, with the tag still on the band, with a dated receipt and your luggage got searched... how in the heck would anybody know it wasn't something purchased in the UK or belonged to your grandma, or you won in a poker game?

Maybe that person has somebody on the side or doesn't want friends and family to know about the engagement. hmmmm???

[Megan & Luke 93]

I asked about this when I exited the UK and was entering the USA after I received my e-ring. Granted it's going the other way, so take it with a grain of salt. I asked customs before I handed in my slip and they said that an engagement ring did not count as it was meant as a gift and not as a true 'import'. I assume they meant that as selling or possibly an investment piece (ie artwork, sculpture).

[yuna628 9,702]

.

I was just reading another thread where someone said they always leave their engagement ring in the US after they have visited, as they are concerned about having to pay import tax on it when they return to their home country.

Has anyone travelling back to the UK with their engagement ring had this problem?

Well, I hate to say it.. and it's completely ridiculous.. but the little known fact is non-EUs can only bring £390 worth of items into the UK or be subject to having to declare them, which means you'd have to not only pay customs but VAT. That being said, I'm pretty sure millions of people travel through either having no clue and are never bothered about it, myself included. And it'll most likely continue that way, unless you have that one bad day, where the person is also having a bad day and is determined to make your life hell. This has actually happened to several celebrities before at LHR. But if you want to be completely honest and never have a wave of paranoia over your shoulder.. then you should follow the law, however expensive, inane, and draconian it is. You can confirm this on the UK website as well. Or you could walk by and feel slightly naughty every time you've walked through without question, not that I am advocating that in any way shape or form.

Our US allowance is much higher of course, and I tend to think a lot more fair. Never had a single problem there yet. And I also suspect they don't care too much if you're wearing an engagement ring, grandma's ring, or some ring from 1970 either, unless of course they are having the aforementioned bad day.

Edited December 14, 2014 by yuna628

[Transborderwife 4,666]

It happened to George Clooney and his bride

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2638429/GIRL-ABOUT-TOWN-Anything-declare-George-Clooney-faces-100-000-tax-bill-fiancees-415k-ring-wore-Heathrow.html

[Pheebs1201 269]

.

Well, I hate to say it.. and it's completely ridiculous.. but the little known fact is non-EUs can only bring £390 worth of items into the UK or be subject to having to declare them, which means you'd have to not only pay customs but VAT.

I am a UK citizen though, does that make a difference? I have worn other jewellery (inc rings) through customs before and nobody has ever asked me about them.

Thank you for responding!

[mlh 93]

You can also look at it that the ring will eventually "stay" in the US (and was purchased in the US), so nothing to feel naughty about wearing it back and forth between the US and UK. As you're not importing it to the UK, it will eventually leave the UK, and tax has already been paid on it in the US.

Otherwise, anyone with an engagement or wedding ring could be taxed when entering the UK for anything, even if they weren't immigrating to the states...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

It happened to George Clooney and his bride

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2638429/GIRL-ABOUT-TOWN-Anything-declare-George-Clooney-faces-100-000-tax-bill-fiancees-415k-ring-wore-Heathrow.html

Nobody stopped her in Heathrow. It is a Daily Mail reporter who is questioning Clooney's fiance. I guess if Pheebs has a ring that big, and the daily Mail follows her around, then she could have a problem when the reporters start publishing their stories.

Edited December 14, 2014 by Nich-Nick

[Pheebs1201 269]

I would not worry about this at all. Usually you only have to pay import tax on items which are sealed and could possibly be re-sold in the UK market.

There is no way for them to know what you took out of the country so how could they possibly know what you are bringing back in unless you bring it back sealed in a box with receipts etc.

A bit of a myth if you ask me.

Yeah I think I will just wear it and see what happens. I won't have any of the tags, receipts etc because obviously it wasn't me who paid for it so they can't prove I didn't own it already anyway.

That's crazy! Unless you packed it in your luggage, in a gift box, with the tag still on the band, with a dated receipt and your luggage got searched... how in the heck would anybody know it wasn't something purchased in the UK or belonged to your grandma, or you won in a poker game?

Maybe that person has somebody on the side or doesn't want friends and family to know about the engagement. hmmmm???

Yes maybe, but they do regularly blog about how sad they are about leaving it behind, so maybe not

I asked about this when I exited the UK and was entering the USA after I received my e-ring. Granted it's going the other way, so take it with a grain of salt. I asked customs before I handed in my slip and they said that an engagement ring did not count as it was meant as a gift and not as a true 'import'. I assume they meant that as selling or possibly an investment piece (ie artwork, sculpture).

Okay thank you, fingers crossed it'll be ok!

It happened to George Clooney and his bride

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2638429/GIRL-ABOUT-TOWN-Anything-declare-George-Clooney-faces-100-000-tax-bill-fiancees-415k-ring-wore-Heathrow.html

I saw that, my ring isn't quite worth that much though

Nobody stopped her in Heathrow. It is a Daily Mail reporter who is questioning Clooney's fiance. I guess if Pheebs has a ring that big, and the daily Mail follows her around, then she could have a problem when the reporters start publishing their stories.

Oh it's not just the daily mail.... the sun, the guardian, the independent..... they all follow me constantly it's getting to be a real problem

[yuna628 9,702]

I am a UK citizen though, does that make a difference? I have worn other jewellery (inc rings) through customs before and nobody has ever asked me about them.

Thank you for responding!

If you are a UK citizen then you are an EU citizen, there are no restrictions on you entering back in technically. However I have still heard about this happening to British celebs before.. granted the jewels on their person would be extremely expensive. My ring was bought and paid for in the UK, in fact he still carries around the receipt lol, I've never declared it and I've never been questioned about it - so ultimately it's not too much of a problem. I suppose it *could* happen, though there are slim odds. My fiancé says that he doesn't believe as long as the item was purchased in the UK (therefore you have already paid taxes and vat) that it would illegal to charge twice on the item as long as there is proof of purchase, but even if it was the case more likely than not no one is ever going to question you about it.

[Pheebs1201 269]

If you are a UK citizen then you are an EU citizen, there are no restrictions on you entering back in technically. However I have still heard about this happening to British celebs before.. granted the jewels on their person would be extremely expensive. My ring was bought and paid for in the UK, in fact he still carries around the receipt lol, I've never declared it and I've never been questioned about it - so ultimately it's not too much of a problem. I suppose it *could* happen, though there are slim odds. My fiancé says that he doesn't believe as long as the item was purchased in the UK (therefore you have already paid taxes and vat) that it would illegal to charge twice on the item as long as there is proof of purchase, but even if it was the case more likely than not no one is ever going to question you about it.

It was purchased in the US. I think I will just wear it through and see what happens. I will be sure to report back though.

[wbeem 568]

It was purchased in the US. I think I will just wear it through and see what happens. I will be sure to report back though.

Imagine them stopping everyone who was engaged There is no way to tell when you got engaged. It would be crazy. Not unbelievable, given the inconsistencies with customs officials in any country, but crazy, nonetheless.

I would never have even thought about this. My engagement ring is in the US and will remain there until we get married. That was a personal choice, and had nothing to do with this subject (which had never even occurred to me). I'm sure you won't have an issue. It's also the one piece of jewelry you really don't want to ever remove.

Pheebs, what did you do for Christmas, or are you shopping over there? Non USC visitors are only allowed $100 per person in gifts/items to remain in the US.

[yuna628 9,702]

Imagine them stopping everyone who was engaged There is no way to tell when you got engaged. It would be crazy. Not unbelievable, given the inconsistencies with customs officials in any country, but crazy, nonetheless.

I would never have even thought about this. My engagement ring is in the US and will remain there until we get married. That was a personal choice, and had nothing to do with this subject (which had never even occurred to me). I'm sure you won't have an issue. It's also the one piece of jewelry you really don't want to ever remove.

Pheebs, what did you do for Christmas, or are you shopping over there? Non USC visitors are only allowed $100 per person in gifts/items to remain in the US.

$100 is right for non USC... but the US adds in the nice bonus point of all duty is waved on all personal effects over one year. And honestly, I don't ever see an officer struggling to determine what is and isn't over a year.

Now I'm pretty interested to know what's the procedure of customs duty when he arrives at the POE with his K1 and a couple of suitcases of his belongings (clothes, laptop, xbox etc) does the one year provision still apply?

[Pheebs1201 269]

Imagine them stopping everyone who was engaged There is no way to tell when you got engaged. It would be crazy. Not unbelievable, given the inconsistencies with customs officials in any country, but crazy, nonetheless.

I would never have even thought about this. My engagement ring is in the US and will remain there until we get married. That was a personal choice, and had nothing to do with this subject (which had never even occurred to me). I'm sure you won't have an issue. It's also the one piece of jewelry you really don't want to ever remove.

Pheebs, what did you do for Christmas, or are you shopping over there? Non USC visitors are only allowed $100 per person in gifts/items to remain in the US.

I bought and wrapped presents for everyone at home before leaving, and brought presents with me for Dans family with the exception of two people who I've just bought presents for this week