Taking a graphics card on a plane

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Georgehillier

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Nov 26, 2013
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Hey guys, I'm visiting America this summer and plan on buying my graphics card out there as I can save money by doing so.

My question is, will I be able to take the gpu as hand luggage when travelling from the US to UK?

I don't really want to put it in my suitcase as it'll probably get smashed or something knowing my luck.

And I know this may sound like a stupid question but will they try charge me import duty or anything like that?
 
Solution
coozie7
Be aware that neither the Feds nor Her Majesties Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have any sense of humour and neither take smuggling lightly, if you're shipping this to a friend in the UK I'll advise you to let those people know and expect to pay the relevant duties-so yes, you should expect to pay duties or to have it confiscated.
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unknownofprob

unknownofprob

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Oct 3, 2013
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as long as it is in your suit case or something else (the packaging of cards is quite good these days) and they know it's not a weapon or an illegal item, you should be fine.

They shouldn't and won't charge you if it is inside your luggage and you are not over the weight allowance.
 
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Georgehillier

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Nov 26, 2013
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What about if it's in hand luggage? I'd prefer not to put it in my suitcase as it'll probably get damaged or lost. If it's in my hand luggage then at least I know anything that happens to it is my fault.
 
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coozie7

coozie7

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Jun 2, 2007
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Be aware that neither the Feds nor Her Majesties Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have any sense of humour and neither take smuggling lightly, if you're shipping this to a friend in the UK I'll advise you to let those people know and expect to pay the relevant duties-so yes, you should expect to pay duties or to have it confiscated.
 
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Solution
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Georgehillier

Honorable
Nov 26, 2013
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I am buying this for personal use in my PC, not for a friend. I am upgrading the graphics card from a 7850 to R9 290. I am not "smuggling". I have now researched this and am allowed to take up to £390 of goods for personal use into the UK without paying any duties.

I just need to know that it's fine for me to take it on the plane in hand luggage and won't get it confiscated for being a banned item or anything stupid.
 
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coozie7

coozie7

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Jun 2, 2007
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Don't think it's likely to be confiscated but you might want to check with the airline and make sure carrying goods in hand luggage is OK with them.
Like I said, Customs have no sense of humour, perhaps a call to them would also be a good idea, especially given the near paranoia surrounding commercial aviation security these days.
Good to know HMRC aren't going to hammer you with import duties BTW.
 
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Georgehillier

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Nov 26, 2013
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Yes, I've emailed BA to ask if it's okay for me to take it in hand luggage so I'll see what they say. To be honest I don't want to call customs, it'll probably take about 2 hours for them to answer the phone just for them not to be able to give me an answer!
 
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