<i>VAT is not a protectionist measure; it is how government raises revenue. You are advocating tax evasion, not free trade.</i>

Which I made perfectly clear in the second paragraph of my response. It was you who brought up trade restrictions not me. I've never confused the two.

Good for you that you pay all of your taxes. I'm very happy for you.

Couple years ago when I bought my Dell laptop, they would not give me a warranty if I gave them our Florida address for shipping. At that time, we lived in Indiana, but wintered in Florida. During the time I wanted to buy, we were in Florida.

Explanation, &quot;we do not warranty laptops in some &quot;water-bordered&quot; states!&quot; Ridiculous.

However, if I had it shipped to our Indiana address &amp; then brought it to Florida to use, no problem!

Don't know what their policy is now. After many Dell computers, I don't buy Dell any longer, for many reasons, but that story is too long for here!

Good luck.

<i>After many Dell computers, I don't buy Dell any longer, for many reasons, but that story is too long for here!</i>

I think the general admonition is enough. I, too, have been less than wowed with the Dell products.

&gt;&gt;While I'm normally all for following the rules, I definitely think that customs duties exist to be ignored.&lt;&lt;

So you only obey the laws you agree with? Is that the message you would like to give your children?

At any rate, VAT is not custom duties - it is the equivalent of sales tax.

<i>So you only obey the laws you agree with? Is that the message you would like to give your children?</i>

Since I don't have children, I don't have to worry about what message I am sending them.

That's a relief.

People aren't even remotely aware, that this might end up in court. For little profit, they risk being found guilty (and not be able to get nice jobs anymore). Funny . But it may also be that the British are more forgiving than the germans. In this country, they'll &quot;fry you&quot; financially, should you be cought.

I'm fully aware it could end up in court. I assume most people are. Many are willing to take the (likely miniscule) risk that a) they will be caught and b) that claiming ignorance won't get them off with little more than having to pay the taxes anyway. That some have a higher risk tolerance than you does not make them ignorant.

People also sometimes break the speed limit, drive without an international drivers permit in Italy, and engage in public drunkenness.

Besides, it sounds like the OP is an American. So, I would assume the risk is even lower, as long as they aren't bringing in a caseload of laptops...

And here is what travelgourmet just wrote on another thread about entry into the UK:

&quot;As for customs, it is the only place I have ever had my bags searched. It happened to me on 3 straight trips into the country.

Still, in the grand scheme of things, it really isn't a big deal, as long as you aren't actually doing anything illegal.&quot;

Do you need an adaptor/convertor of some sort to power american laptops in London. If so, what type?

Look on the charger brick, and the specs will probably say: 100-240V 50-60Hz. If so, it can plugged directly into UK electricity. All you will need is a three-pin plug adapter.