AltCtrlDel:
Hello Elders. I greet the house o!. Pls what's the best way to get items (clothes and apparels precisely) bought from a US sites into the UK without paying neck-breaking duties? A school of thought suggested I get someone in the US to remove the labels/tags and send it as used clothes via DHL or UPS. Another person suggested it can be sent through the post office.

Pls elders what's your advice?

I consulted the oracle's but they have not spoken. Pls how do I get items bought on US websites into the UK without robbing a bank to pay duties?

Lexusgs430
TheGuyFromHR
Ralphlauren
LagosismyHome
Mamtukwas
STENON

AltCtrlDel:


I consulted the oracle's but they have not spoken. Pls how do I get items bought on US websites into the UK without robbing a bank to pay duties?

Lexusgs430
TheGuyFromHR
Ralphlauren
LagosismyHome
Mamtukwas
STENON

The times I tried it , even when I bought , shipped in to my sister and had them ship it to me. ... the tax man was waiting for me in UK so I don't bother again. Instead worse case I target sales in the UK. You can get some really good deals in sales

AltCtrlDel:


I consulted the oracle's but they have not spoken. Pls how do I get items bought on US websites into the UK without robbing a bank to pay duties?

Lexusgs430
TheGuyFromHR
Ralphlauren
LagosismyHome
Mamtukwas
STENON

Get a friend to buy and send it to you . They will take off the labels and fill out the custom card stating gift.

AltCtrlDel:


I consulted the oracle's but they have not spoken. Pls how do I get items bought on US websites into the UK without robbing a bank to pay duties?

Lexusgs430
TheGuyFromHR
Ralphlauren
LagosismyHome
Mamtukwas
STENON

Get on a flight and do the shopping yourself.........

The taxman is fully aware of label removal systems ......

mimilyrics:
I used Express Test last October and I think it was about £50. Tested around 3pm and got the results by noon the next day.

Please do one still need to book for day 2 and 5 test when travelling to the UK?

I will appreciate your response

AltCtrlDel:


I consulted the oracle's but they have not spoken. Pls how do I get items bought on US websites into the UK without robbing a bank to pay duties?

Lexusgs430
TheGuyFromHR
Ralphlauren
LagosismyHome
Mamtukwas
STENON

If you’re not in a hurry buy and ship to Lagos then do Lagos to UK. Otherwise only buy from sites with duties included in the total cost.

If you're fully vaccinated, no. If you're not fully vaccinated, yes.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#if-you-are-fully-vaccinated

Jayjiggy:


Please do one still need to book for day 2 and 5 test when travelling to the UK?

I will appreciate your response

Ancestors with young kids, how do I register my 3year old for nursery school please? Please help.

I tried applying on the council website but they were asking for some details that we don’t have yet.
For context, my partner is a student and I just started full time employment this month(nights, so someone will always be at home with her). thank you.

AltCtrlDel:


I consulted the oracle's but they have not spoken. Pls how do I get items bought on US websites into the UK without robbing a bank to pay duties?

Lexusgs430
TheGuyFromHR
Ralphlauren
LagosismyHome
Mamtukwas
STENON

US to Lagos, then Lagos to UK by cargo if the difference in value of the items is worth enough to you to pay for that.
There are companies that offer forwarding services from the US to UK for Amazon US items like forward2me, MyUS and the rest but that will still leave you with a customs bill. I've bought things from Amazon US and as the previous poster said, I just made sure I paid an all-inclusive price.
Basically finding someone travelling to the US and giving them money to buy for you is the only viable alternative.

gistbite:
Ancestors with young kids, how do I register my 3year old for nursery school please? Please help.

I tried applying on the council website but they were asking for some details that we don’t have yet.
For context, my partner is a student and I just started full time employment this month(nights, so someone will always be at home with her). thank you.

What are the details requested?

TheGuyFromHR:


What are the details requested?

National insurance payment
Tax payment.

Now, my partner is a student and is tax exempt; so on his pay slips, they only remove nin fees.
I’ve been working temporarily before this full time work and my pay slip too, only nin money was removed.
The application is asking for both.

Ralphlauren:


Your child needs to resume school ASAP before the school reports your family to social services. Last thing you want is the police at your door "conducting a welfare check" on your child and social services extending their magnifying glass in your family's affairs.

If you need financial support or assistance with transport costs, speak to the school and/or the council. That said, lack of finances to transport a child to school is not an acceptable legal reason to keep a young child away from school.

Some schools have waiting list of over 2 years and there's no guarantee your child will be offered a place till he/she starts secondary school. Are you saying your child will not attend school if this scenario plays out?

Refusing to take your child to the school that has offered you a place will not force the nearer school to grant your child preferential treatment and allow he/she skip the waiting list.

The thing is there happen to be a school next to the year 2 kids school, they have spaces but require we send include them on the list of schools with the council as we didn't do this before. Omo, the thing is too complex jare, will have the kid start school on Monday..while we appeal with the council/school for the year 2 school. Transport cost not an issue at all, its the fact that both schools close at the same time, leaving one child to have to wait for a while before pickup, most times its just one parent available for school runs. Thanks for all the pointers

gistbite:


National insurance payment
Tax payment.

Now, my partner is a student and is tax exempt; so on his pay slips, they only remove nin fees.
I’ve been working temporarily before this full time work and my pay slip too, only nin money was removed.
The application is asking for both.

Is it an application for 30hrs ? Because that will count as public funds. If you need a space for your the usual 15hrs, just look for nurseries around you and apply for a space and its automatically applied for by the nursery. No need to make a council application.

Meanwhile when does your child turn 4? Cos school application is closed for Sept 2022 and you may need to apply for a primary place asap

Hello all, Mamatukwas, Justwise and other gurus. I really appreciate all the advise on this thread. My son is about to start school this week, anyone with advice, lunch pack ideas, after school care advise etc. I wish we had a thread for parenting immigrant kids in the UK. I’m a bit nervous LOL

fatima04:


Is it an application for 30hrs ? Because that will count as public funds. If you need a space for your the usual 15hrs,
just look for nurseries around you and apply for a space and its automatically applied for by the nursery. No need to make a council application.
Alright thank you. We will go tomorrow.

Meanwhile when does your child turn 4? Cos school application is closed for Sept 2022 and you may need to apply for a primary place asap

It’s an application for 15hrs. She turned 3 in February and we are hoping to get a spot for April term.

gistbite:


National insurance payment
Tax payment.

Now, my partner is a student and is tax exempt; so on his pay slips, they only remove nin fees.
I’ve been working temporarily before this full time work and my pay slip too, only nin money was removed.
The application is asking for both.

This is not needed for 15 hours but what I noticed a lot of schools nolonger know how to process 15hours. They are so use to 30 hours that they confuse the two requirements, even when you are trying to explain they don't get it. You might have to be patient and go through many back and forth till it resolve

Submit what you have and how you have it . .... I am sure they would review and still admit because 15hours is given to all children over 3 regardless of anything

Quick one house, my sons nearest school is over 3 miles away. Is it okay to apply for a free bus pass for him or will it count as use of public funds ?

sweetoma:
Hello all, Mamatukwas, Justwise and other gurus. I really appreciate all the advise on this thread. My son is about to start school this week, anyone with advice, lunch pack ideas, after school care advise etc. I wish we had a thread for parenting immigrant kids in the UK. I’m a bit nervous LOL

You should start a thread!

I'm single but also learning and I'm sure many others out there would benefit from the thread

LagosismyHome:


This is not needed for 15 hours but what I noticed a lot of schools nolonger know how to process 15hours. They are so use to 30 hours that they confuse the two requirements, even when you are trying to explain they don't get it. You might have to be patient and go through many back and forth till it resolve

Submit what you have and how you have it . .... I am sure they would review and still admit because 15hours is given to all children over 3 regardless of anything

Alright thank you.

Hello everyone.

Please I wanted to ask if there’s anyone going to Nigeria this week,

Thank you.

Newbie123:


You should start a thread!

I'm single but also learning and I'm sure many others out there would benefit from the thread

Right ?? I just might LOL

sweetoma:
Hello all, Mamatukwas, Justwise and other gurus. I really appreciate all the advise on this thread. My son is about to start school this week, anyone with advice, lunch pack ideas, after school care advise etc. I wish we had a thread for parenting immigrant kids in the UK. I’m a bit nervous LOL

Are you in Scotland? Most local authorities in Scotland use the parentpay website for processing school dinner payments. You can also view the menu to see what meals are available weekly and plan around it. My daughter uses a combination of school dinners and packed lunch. Packed lunch is usually home made sandwiches with yoghurt and some fruits plus a bag of crisps. Sometimes she likes sausage rolls in her packed lunch.

The school may have a breakfast and after school club which you might be able to access for a fee. You could also ask other working moms at the school what after school options are available.

Nots sure about transport options to school as our home is very close to our local school and my daughter walks to school by herself.

sweetoma:
Hello all, Mamatukwas, Justwise and other gurus. I really appreciate all the advise on this thread. My son is about to start school this week, anyone with advice, lunch pack ideas, after school care advise etc. I wish we had a thread for parenting immigrant kids in the UK. I’m a bit nervous LOL

It's a normal feeling I guess, but you will be fine. For lunch, I don't stress he takes whatever is on the menu asides Pork, ham etc. After school clubs also a way of getting the kids busy and a good idea.

All in all, just pay attention to the kids, talk to them often, stay on top of their homework and try to listen and not react as normal naija parents. If it doesn't feel right it probably isn't, so always be ready to ask the teachers questions as well. Most times they explain a lot to you when you ask

gistbite:


It’s an application for 15hrs. She turned 3 in February and we are hoping to get a spot for April term.

There is no need to make a council claim then, just take them to a nursery or school and they get it automatically.

I always advise nursery instead of schools though because of flexibility. School will be 3hrs session for the week and no holiday period. This can be stressful when combined with work.
But with nurseries, you can always blend/use it how you want and add additional hrs, they open holiday period etc.

fatima04:


There is no need to make a council claim then, just take them to a nursery or school and they get it automatically.

I always advise nursery instead of schools though because of flexibility. School will be 3hrs session for the week and no holiday period. This can be stressful when combined with work.
But with nurseries, you can always blend/use it how you want and add additional hrs, they open holiday period etc.

Thank you so much for this detailed information.

House, people with all electric houses, how is your billing like? I'm looking at a property that uses electricity for heating with a storage heater. EPC rating is C, with no reasonable options to upgrade it.