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Buying iPad in US for use in UK

I am planning to get to New York in Feb and buy an iPad. Can anyone advise me as to any problems or issues that I should consider before I go ahead - I don't need a 3G contract.
Many thanks

MacPro,Intel Imac X 6, Pbook, Emacs x 30, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Nov 30, 2010 12:01 PM

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18 replies

Dec 1, 2010 1:41 AM in response to art_ik

You will have no problems. What I would suggest doing is not bringing back the box, as then you could say that you bought the iPad in the UK and took it on holiday with you. Yea, I know you should really tell customs that you have bought an iPad, but I'm not sure how much they would charge you to import it.

If you sign into the iTunes store on the iPad with a UK iTunes account it will switch to allow you to access the UK iTunes store. You will not have a problem here at all.

From the $629.00 price you're obviously looking at the 16GB 3G iPad. As far as I am aware the US 3G iPads are unlocked and can be used on any network, which would say to me they are international and you can pick up a micro-SIM from any UK carrier and everything will be fine. BUT, I would look for further clarification on this. I'm not sure what Apple's policy is on imports and whether you will be able to get support / return it in the UK if you find that the 3G doesn't work. (From a quick Google it seems like you will be fine, but I would recommend doing a bit more research as I wouldn't want to spend £423 on something that might not work over here).

Also, if you want to be fully legit with taxes etc. I'm pretty sure you can claim back the US sales tax if you declare your iPad at customs. You do get so much allowance on tech, so you might not have to pay VAT on it. Again, I would check here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/index.htm

Hope this helps.

Dec 23, 2010 4:31 AM in response to art_ik

The way I see it there are six issues to consider:

*1) Power supply*

You will need to purchase a UK power adaptor

*2) Sales tax in the US*

You can claim this back at the airport when you leave the US

*3) Customs and VAT duty on the arrival back in the UK*

Legally, because the item cost more than £390, you are required to pay 2.5% customs duty, and then 17.5% (20% from 4th Jan) on top of this. Of course, you could bin the box after you've cleared customs in the US, but I obviously can't condone evading taxes.

*4) iTunes and syncing*

No issues.

*5) 3G*

No issues, the iPad is identical and contains both UK and US 3G radio bands (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)

*6) Warranty*

The one year limited warranty offered with the iPad is worldwide, so no issues there.

Dec 23, 2010 11:25 AM in response to Gary Emery

Be advised that you can take that risk if you want however if stopped by customs passing green channel .

You risk Confiscation and/or Fine.

They DO Know the US serial numbers.

Declare the goods and you need to pay 6.4% import duty Plus VAT at what will be 20% from January.

You should however get a local tax rebate at the US airport before departure.

So you need to budget for these taxes on top of the US list price (Apple quoted on line US price) converted to Sterling etc......

Todays price converted for 16GB model $499= £323.75 + 6.4% (20.72) =£344.47 +20% (68.89)
= True price £413.36 So you will save just £15.64 on the high street price . I think the UK warranty is worth that much don't you so is it really worth it ?

As to the technical issues theUS model can be set to UK keyboard and will happily sync with your UK itunes account without any problem.

Buying iPad in US for use in UK

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