Mary, it doesn't matter what the value of the clothes are, it matters what you paid for them.

You don't have to pay tax on it but it is illegal not to do so. But if you mail the receipts back to a friend in the US so they are not in your luggage (OR ON YOUR PERSON) and you have removed absolutely all labels and worn the clothes so it looks like you took them on holiday then they will never know. A lot of people get busted because they stupidly have the receipts tucked away in their wallet.<BR><BR>I have only done it avoiding tax on IT products in the US (going back to Europe) and have got away fine each time. I think the Americans are stricter about making Europeans pay the tax than we are at making you lot pay it.<BR><BR>But, you really should be a good girl and pay the tax.

Considering what crosses border in most diplomatic packs, I have no qualms about wearing some new clothes home.

Rachel, how do the labels sewn into the clothes reveal in what country you purchased them? The clothes I buy in the US have labels that indicate in what country they were made, and the washing instructions are often in several languages. I have not noticed a difference in clothes I purchase in other countries, except for there being LESS information. Just curious...