Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washington'
#1
Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washington'
I phoned up the US embassy in London (before I applied for my ESTA), asked what ESTA entailed and what I'd need to fill out and if CBP needed to know I planned to spend between $6, 000.00 - $9, 000.00 on 2 guitars, and they advised me to "phone Washington" about that.
So.. I guess, I'd do this.
I'm not the first person in history to want to make big purchases in America and export them home with me. I've seen people on TV buy and export to the UK American cars... So...
I'm planning to phone Washington.
Is this CBP I'm phoning?
I'd phone them, and say something like 'The embassy advised me to phone you direct, here's my proposal, what would I need?' or, 'is this legal' 'what are my entitlements and limitations of spend?' 'Would I need to provide CPD with my financial documents to prove the legitimacy of my funds' (Which I can do) 'Can I still spend this much and call it leisure and tourism on a B2 visa?'.
So.. I guess, I'd do this.
I'm not the first person in history to want to make big purchases in America and export them home with me. I've seen people on TV buy and export to the UK American cars... So...
I'm planning to phone Washington.
Is this CBP I'm phoning?
I'd phone them, and say something like 'The embassy advised me to phone you direct, here's my proposal, what would I need?' or, 'is this legal' 'what are my entitlements and limitations of spend?' 'Would I need to provide CPD with my financial documents to prove the legitimacy of my funds' (Which I can do) 'Can I still spend this much and call it leisure and tourism on a B2 visa?'.
Last edited by ilikeitlikethat; Aug 27th 2017 at 10:31 pm.
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,662
Re: Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washing
You can spend what you like in the States - the more the merrier I'm sure all stores/restaurants/resorts would say.
Just be aware that you will have to declare your new guitars and probably pay tax on them when entering the UK.
Who are you phoning in Washington?
Just be aware that you will have to declare your new guitars and probably pay tax on them when entering the UK.
Who are you phoning in Washington?
#3
Re: Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washing
'You'd have to ask Washington about that'.
At the time I thought nothing of it and assumed she meant the branch of US embassy in Washington (but now/days later) - I wonder if she meant CBP/going to try my luck and phone CBP and see if they can answer my questions about what I'd need to declare to them to be able to do that since she just told me to phone Washington/I'm assuming it's CBP.
I like that I can spend as much as I like in the US but the woman at the embassy advised to check about that. but I like what you say that I can since 'trips of lifetime budgets' (in my case), are purposely being saved to be able to afford to go all out and treat myself and still come home with enough money to live off of in England so I don't have to return to work right away (So I'm by no means blowing all my money because 'that would be stupid'/I feel)
It's like... Plan now, save now, budget and prepare = awesome vacation + affording 2 nice guitars.
Last edited by ilikeitlikethat; Aug 27th 2017 at 10:49 pm.
#4
Re: Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washing
Which part of the ESTA form had you concerned enough to call the embassy? Presumably you are planning on using some variety of plastic to pay for this lot, even then you only have to declare carrying more than $10k cash into the US.
Unless some information is missing from your post I can't understand why you wouldn't be eligible for ESTA.
I'd just be prepared to declare the item(s) when entering the UK with it, mr Customs will be likely looking for a wedge if he knows.
Unless some information is missing from your post I can't understand why you wouldn't be eligible for ESTA.
I'd just be prepared to declare the item(s) when entering the UK with it, mr Customs will be likely looking for a wedge if he knows.
#5
Re: Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washing
Which part of the ESTA form had you concerned enough to call the embassy? Presumably you are planning on using some variety of plastic to pay for this lot, even then you only have to declare carrying more than $10k cash into the US.
Unless some information is missing from your post I can't understand why you wouldn't be eligible for ESTA.
I'd just be prepared to declare the item(s) when entering the UK with it, mr Customs will be likely looking for a wedge if he knows.
Unless some information is missing from your post I can't understand why you wouldn't be eligible for ESTA.
I'd just be prepared to declare the item(s) when entering the UK with it, mr Customs will be likely looking for a wedge if he knows.
Hopefully I'm paying hundreds of £ and not thousands in VAT though.
(If I get granted my visa and I do get to go) I'm going to keep all my receipts on everything I buy in America which I bring back with me so they can do quick calculations of how much VAT I pay to enter Britain with it all since it's going to be over the duty free allowance anyway'
Last edited by ilikeitlikethat; Aug 27th 2017 at 11:07 pm.
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washing
I wonder if she meant CBP...
I phoned up the US embassy in London...
... they advised me to "phone Washington" about that.
Ian
#8
Re: Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washing
There is. If you have half an hour to burn, make yourself a nice cup of tea, and take a read of this thread.
#9
Re: Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washing
There is. If you have half an hour to burn, make yourself a nice cup of tea, and take a read of this thread.
I'd order them from Amazon if I were the OP.
cat, hell's chance.
#10
Re: Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washing
It's unlikely. There is no immigration exit control in the US, so no one will care how much you spend or what goods leave the country.
It's unlikely that you spoke with anyone in London. It's more likely that you spoke to one of the 3rd-party contractors at the call center in Scotland.
They gave you an answer because you wanted one.
Ian
It's unlikely that you spoke with anyone in London. It's more likely that you spoke to one of the 3rd-party contractors at the call center in Scotland.
They gave you an answer because you wanted one.
Ian
#11
Re: Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washing
As SanDiegoGirl already told you, you can spend as much as you like. Full stop. There is nothing to "ask about", or "check about", nothing. And as ZzrMark told you, unless you are bringing over $10,000 worth of cash, there is nothing to declare on entering the US. Credit cards issued overseas can be used in the US without limit or restriction by the CBP or any other branch of the US Federal Government.
Last edited by Pulaski; Aug 27th 2017 at 11:15 pm.
#14
Re: Intention of spending large amounts on vacation & being advised to 'phone Washing
As SanDiegoGirl already told you, you can spend as much as you like. Full stop. There is nothing to "ask about", or "check about". Nothing, and as ZzrMark told you, unless you are bringing over $10,000 worth of cash, there is nothing to declare on entering the US. Credit cards issued overseas can be used without limit or restriction by the CBP or any other branch of the US Federal Government.
Last edited by ilikeitlikethat; Aug 27th 2017 at 11:25 pm.