A quote from a
BBC News Site article:
Thousands of Britons are cashing in on exchange rates by shopping in the US for expensive items like iPods, digital cameras, or designer clothes. But many who think they have found bargains are falling foul of the law which requires them to pay duty on any purchase over £145.
Hunting the perfect outfit in NYC? Better remember the import duty
For those used to the duty-free environment of the European Union, it is probably the least understood of the restrictions that also govern imports of items like cigarettes, alcohol and perfume.
Really? I strongly suspect that most people shopping in the US are perfectly well aware that bringing in hundreds of pounds worth of undeclared goods is illegal and are simply chancing their arm on the theory that Customs are more interested in drugs and are unlikely to stop them. The last time I was stopped by Customs was about 15 years ago coming back from Cyprus. Being a bit over the £35 limit (as then was) we got a stern lecture from the Customs officer and were told not to do it again. However, I imagine that some of the shoppers going over to the US are bringing back thousands of pounds worth of goods.