I am moving to England in four months and have heard a number of different opinions on whether I can bring/use my telephones there. I have one cordless phone (with answering machine and caller ID) and one regular phone without the bells and whistles as well. I have read on www.americanexpats.com that american made phones work fine there. I have read on other sites that it's actually illegal to bring cordless phones in from the USA and also all american made - imported phones (cordless or not) are not (because the phones have to be approved by some sort of sticker system, by british telecom). does anyone know anything about this?!? any HELP would be greatly appreciated!! thanks in advance!

That's funny because most USA phones are made in Asia these days (probably even the GE phones).

The USA has a similar regulatory requirement of all telephony-based products for the home through the FCC (Fed Communications Commission). That is called "Part 68" in the US (see http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/iatd/part_68.html). OFTEL is the FCC equivalent in the UK.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Call the manufacturer to see if your phone is certified for UK. Most phones are produced for multiple markets these days.

Excerpt from UK doc: http://www.radio.gov.uk/publication/ra_info/ra193.htm

Unapproved Equipment
It is an offence to use, import, manufacture, sell, advertise or possess, without authorisation, non-approved cordless telephones. Use of such apparatus, particularly high power models that are available in some other countries, can cause harmful interference to other authorised radio users. It is also an offence to connect them to the public telephone system.

Where necessary, the Agency will prosecute or take other enforcement action under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts to prevent the harmful interference caused by those who use non-approved apparatus or possess such apparatus without authority to do so. Agency officials can seize apparatus found in unlawful use or possession and the courts can order its forfeiture.

Importation: Travellers intending to purchase cordless telephones abroad for use in this country should beware.
Such telephones are unlikely to meet the relevant performance specification or be approved for connection to the public telephone system in the UK. They are liable to be seized and forfeited by Customs and Excise and their use may not only cause harmful interference but may also be illegal. Even possession may be an offence.

A General Authority has been issued to allow firms to import non-approved cordless telephones on a commercial basis for re-export provided the goods are held in a Customs warehouse while in the UK.

There are various conditions attached to the General Authority, including that certain documents should be kept available for inspection. Failure to comply with the conditions could be a criminal offence. Firms wishing to take advantage of the General Authority are therefore recommended to study its terms and conditions. A copy may be obtained from the RA at the address in the next paragraph.

Firms wishing to import non-approved cordless telephones on a commercial basis for re-export but not to hold them in a Customs warehouse or anyone wishing to import non-approved cordless telephones for research, testing or development should apply to the RA for the necessary specific Authority. For further information on either the General Authority or how to obtain a specific Authority, contact:

Legalities aside, I think you would need an adapter for the plug. I have a feeling US jacks are a different size/shape to UK ones.

Mel.

thanks for your help mel and hendrinatr! sorry for the confusion as when i wrote that "american made phones work fine there"...i really meant "ameriacn bought/purchased phones work fine there!". sorry about that. nonetheless, it sounds like i can use my non-cordless phone from home (the US) but that my 900mhz cordless may not be allowed per the OFTEL regulations?!?! Does anyone know for sure, and does anyone know where I can purchase the jack converters in the US?!? Radio Shack maybe?

Thanks Everyone!

Jules, since you can buy a simple non-cordless phone in the UK for less than 10 pounds, it doesn't seem worth the bother of buying a converter and packing your own phone. Cordless phones with answering machines are quite expensive, but you can get one without the answering machine from about 20 pounds and a non-cordless with answering machine for even less.

These prices are from my Argos catalogue - you may find cheaper if you shop around when you get here.

thanks xenos. i had just assumed that everything there would be much pricier (including phones!!) and was wondering if i could save a few bucks by using waht i already have! apaprently i can buy phones in england for approximately the same cost as in the US. i would need one with an answering machine though...

anyway, thanks again for your thoughts and advice everyone!

thanks xenos. i had just assumed that everything there would be much pricier (including phones!!) and was wondering if i could save a few bucks by using what i already have! apparently i can buy phones in england for approximately the same cost as in the US. i WOULD like a cordless phone with an answering machine though...

anyway, thanks again!! any other thoughts/advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated!!

From What I remember the jacks are different and you need an adaptor. My dad was a phone repair man and could not bring phones to relatives to ireland...not sure why maybe they were not compatible back then. Saying that the wiring is the same as my dad can add new jacks to my place here in Ireland. Why not e-mail BT (british Telecom) and ask them. It couldn't hurt??

Jules,

Got my trusty Argos catalogue out again (honestly, I don't work for them - Index is just as good, I just don't happen to have their current catalogue!). Cheapest cordless with AM is 30 pounds, cheapest digital (?) cordless with AM is 50 pounds, cheapest non-cordless with AM is 18 pounds.

Nah, Argos is better than Index. Better range and lower prices (no, I don't work for them either!)

Anyway, back on-topic! My comment was going to be that, with free voicemail on BT, there's little point buying an answering machine these days -- in my humble opinion.

Mel.

ok, so what exactly is argos then? do they sell electronics? i will go to google and see if i can find anything out! (is there an american counterpart to "argos"?). and then secondly, british telecom has voice mail - FOR FREE?!? tell me more! and does BT have a wesbsite so i could possibly stop bothering you all?!? (again, i will try google to check it out too!)

thanks so much (again) for all of your useful help!

Argos and Index are catalogue shops. You pick up their glossy, thick catalogues and buy goods over the counter. They do mail order as well, within UK. Their on-line shops are: www.argos.co.uk and www.indexshop.com
The only trouble with them is that only a small selection of goods are on display so you can check them out personally till you buy them (they offer no-quibble exchange or refund within 16 days).
BT's main homepage is at www.bt.com
Most electrical retailers have a good selection of phones, as do some mobile phone shops like Link. Perhaps widest selection on display are in large office equipment superstores like Staples in suburban retail parks. Be careful with US phone equipment, as plugs are often differently wired and can't be used here even with an adaptor.

I am an American Expat in the UK for the last three years. My initial shipment was delayed for over 6 weeks because we brought a cordless phone and declared it. Apparently it interferes with the emergency frequencies here.

BE CAREFUL! We did this on the advice of our relocation agent, no less.

I just recently moved over to the UK myself (second time), and I always get rid of my electronic stuff. The only thing I cart back and forth is my dual-format VCR, since it has its own converter.

Never, ever, declare anything on your packing list. All of my many international movers have told me that, and my shipments always went through customs without a problem. Not that I was bringing in stuff I shouldn't, but they all said that no matter what, do not declare anything.