Hi

A friend might go to Canada (Vancouver to be exact) and is thinking of buying computer bits, as some are cheaper there, with the intention of building his own computer.

I guess customs and VAT might well be required on re-entry to the UK, and a bit difficult to send faulty bits back, but does anyone know if there are any no-nos that one should be aware of?

This is a bit open-ended, but it's difficult to get the answer you want if you don't know the question

Thanks for any advice

Mo

No vat on second hand items.

Bought a lappie in the US and took it home. Receipts and so on were taken back by the Mrs (who visited me there). I then took the lappie home in its bag, specifically making sure not to have cardboard boxes & other 'new' packaging materials

Less likely to get caught out that way as well. I had to answer a few questions, like 'why do you have two laptops' and they had to scan both for whatever they check for, for the rest no problem

I think there's a

Another alternative is to get your mate to post it to either himself or you or another mate etc and mark it as a gift as there is no v.a.t on gifts iirc.

Laptop worked as described

Same with digital camera (even though it clearly had a US adaptor ) and with some other bits & pieces

Oh dear

I was thinking more whether parts were universal (voltage leads etc) and in sync (i.e. the version would be more advanced than our rigs can take, since it takes a while for things to get from Japan and US to the UK in technology terms.

IOW They might be cheaper over there even after allowing for tax and vat, but will be a waste of money if they don't work over here, if building a computer from parts both internationally purchased as a consumer together with parts purchased in the UK? And anything else?

It's OK, I've got me coat...

Thanks again

Mo

A day late again

Any pc components bought abroad will work fine ie graphics cards processors etc as they all take the same voltages from the psu wherever they are bought,its just things like laptops cameras etc that need a power lead to recharge/power them as obviously these will use cables designed for the localised power supply/socket.(although not usually a problem as you will usually find a suitable cable once back in the uk)

Thank you

Mo