Dodging Customs (Luggage)?

[Ashe]

Having spent the last yearish studying in the 'States, in a few weeks I'm finally heading back to Blighty. In the first semester, to alleviate boredom, my roommates and I forked out for a Gamecube...

Ten months later, I now find myself with a Gamecube, nine games and three wavebirds to get through customs...what are my chances?
The 'Cube, original controller and games are all bundled up in a G-Pak case (plastic game cases disposed of to save space), whilst the wavebirds are loose in my luggage. The grapevine sprouts rumours that customs are tightening up...?

[Abhisara]

I don't think you'll have any problems. I would guess it'll just be treated as part of your personal belongings (especially since it's all unboxed) in the same way people can bring their laptops, camcorders, etc with them.

[Len]

I really wouldn't worry bout it. I came back from nyc recently with well over $300 worth of software in my bag.

You'd have to be extremely unlucky to get pulled, they've got other and better things to worry about...

Like Abh said, it's not like it's new, it's yr own personal stuff.

Just remember, don't look guilty!

[Crisp_Rapper]

as you're walking past customs scream HOLY F*CK HE'S GOT A BOMB!

and run the **** out of there!

[Pavey]

Youll have no trouble whatsover mate.
They are your own goods/second hand and you arent bringing them to sell in the UK so your fine.
Customs here are useless anyway. I came back from Tokyo with a Q and Tekki and bowled through with no probs.

[Salsa Party Animal]

They will be more interested in cigarette, drugs, and alcohol and weapons not games.

[Londonner]

Another technique for new items you're buying on holiday/short stay etc., especially if the item is pocketable (e.g. iPod), is to post the empty box back to yourself as cheaply as possible using equivelant of 2nd class rating it $0 value. Then you just bring the item back as if it was your own already - very unlikely you'll be asked to produce receipts of your 'original' purchase in the UK on something like an iPod, because as already mentioned, the customs guys have more important things to worry about these days. Even so, a few years ago coming back from a few months studying the USA I brought back a Hifi Another time, a laptop ...

[Lyris]

Yeah, I brought back a whole load of stuff from New York last summer. We could choose to wait in a long line to "declare" what we'd bought and pay for the privelege, or just skip it and walk out of the airport.

Decisions, decisions

[Ashe]

Another technique for new items you're buying on holiday/short stay etc., especially if the item is pocketable (e.g. iPod), is to post the empty box back to yourself as cheaply as possible using equivelant of 2nd class rating it $0 value. Then you just bring the item back as if it was your own already...

Should have done that instead of binning them (the boxes)

Ah well, thanks guys - exactly what I wanted to hear. It'll be good to get back.