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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Shoppers warned over US gift duty | Shoppers warned over US gift duty |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Christmas shoppers heading across the Atlantic to pick up bargains are being warned against bringing too many gifts back to the UK. | Christmas shoppers heading across the Atlantic to pick up bargains are being warned against bringing too many gifts back to the UK. |
| HM Revenue and Customs is reminding travellers they must declare gifts bought in the US totalling over £145. | |
| If shoppers fail to declare their gifts and pay the required duty, they risk prosecution, officials say. | If shoppers fail to declare their gifts and pay the required duty, they risk prosecution, officials say. |
| Bargain hunters are expected to flock to the US to take advantage of the best exchange rate since 1992. | Bargain hunters are expected to flock to the US to take advantage of the best exchange rate since 1992. |
| Rising pound | Rising pound |
| Regulations say duty must be paid on goods, including gifts and souvenirs worth more than £145. Separately duty must be paid on tobacco, alcohol and cosmetic purchases beyond certain amounts. | |
| The dollar is currently trading at $1.98 to the pound and is expected to trigger a rush to make the most of what is being dubbed the "two dollar pound". | The dollar is currently trading at $1.98 to the pound and is expected to trigger a rush to make the most of what is being dubbed the "two dollar pound". |
| Virgin Atlantic said passenger numbers to New York had risen by 20% on last year. | Virgin Atlantic said passenger numbers to New York had risen by 20% on last year. |
| And British Airways added four additional flights to the US this week. | And British Airways added four additional flights to the US this week. |
| "The weak dollar has had a major impact," a Virgin Atlantic spokesman said. | "The weak dollar has had a major impact," a Virgin Atlantic spokesman said. |
| But Customs bosses are warning shoppers not to get carried away. | But Customs bosses are warning shoppers not to get carried away. |
| HM Revenue and Customs is reminding travellers that up to 20% of duty can be levied on goods. On some items an additional VAT at 17.5% must also be paid. | HM Revenue and Customs is reminding travellers that up to 20% of duty can be levied on goods. On some items an additional VAT at 17.5% must also be paid. |
| 'Common sense' | 'Common sense' |
| A Customs spokeswoman said it was the responsibility of passengers to understand import limitations. | A Customs spokeswoman said it was the responsibility of passengers to understand import limitations. |
| She said that it was "business as usual" at airports, where so far officers had not found more passengers arriving with high-value goods. | She said that it was "business as usual" at airports, where so far officers had not found more passengers arriving with high-value goods. |
| She added that a "common sense approach" would be adopted, as there were also other pressing issues for officers to deal with "such as firearms, Class A drugs and other prohibited items". | She added that a "common sense approach" would be adopted, as there were also other pressing issues for officers to deal with "such as firearms, Class A drugs and other prohibited items". |
| The pound last reached the two dollar mark in September 1992. | The pound last reached the two dollar mark in September 1992. |
| This was just before the government withdrew from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism on Black Wednesday. | This was just before the government withdrew from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism on Black Wednesday. |