What to do with jewelry when emigrating

Ancalagon

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Hey guys,

So as some of you know, I am emigrating soon, but I have a bit of a problem. When my mother died, she owned a lot of jewelry. Myself and my older brothers inherited everything from her estate, and jewelry was not explicitly named in the will (nothing was).

So now I own this jewelry, and in theory I would like to take it with me to the UK. But, the problem is, how can I prove ownership? I could get it all valued, but a valuation certificate does not prove ownership, right?

I don't think it is especially valuable - as in, no antiques and no massive diamonds. But still valuable enough that paying customs on it would probably be pretty expensive.

What should I do?
 
How are you sending all your belongings over when you emigrate?

Are you using a container? because you could just add it into the container and guestimate the value of the items for the insurance.
 
How are you sending all your belongings over when you emigrate?

Are you using a container? because you could just add it into the container and guestimate the value of the items for the insurance.

Yes, I can do that, but then I need to prove that I own them. When you move stuff to the UK, you need to apply for a transfer of residence. Part of the transfer of residence involves proving that you own stuff. Now, they won't care whether I can prove that I own a kitchen knife, but they will care if I can prove that I own jewelry.

Which I can't. I have no way of proving the stuff belongs to me.
 
Yes, I can do that, but then I need to prove that I own them. When you move stuff to the UK, you need to apply for a transfer of residence. Part of the transfer of residence involves proving that you own stuff. Now, they won't care whether I can prove that I own a kitchen knife, but they will care if I can prove that I own jewelry.

Which I can't. I have no way of proving the stuff belongs to me.
Just wear them all on your flight over there.
 
Transfer of residence? Not going a British passport huh, what a mission that all sounds like. All online documentation mentions getting it appraised and declaring it all so as to not overpay when arriving in the UK
 
Transfer of residence? Not going a British passport huh, what a mission that all sounds like. All online documentation mentions getting it appraised and declaring it all so as to not overpay when arriving in the UK

This would apply even if I had a British passport. If a British citizen lives overseas and then wants to bring his stuff back, he needs to apply for a ToR. Same rules would apply.

Think about it - if not, that would give Brits the license to import anything they wanted without being subject to import duties.
 
Wear them

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ToR approval when you transfer your normal place of residence to the UK from outside the EU, allows you to import your goods including animals and means of transport into the UK with relief from import duties and charges.

Ah, so it's taking sommer alles from here to there. I'm taking a very little and what is being taken is covered by the moving company .... ditto for the pets
 
Ah, so it's taking sommer alles from here to there. I'm taking a very little and what is being taken is covered by the moving company .... ditto for the pets

I don't know if they didn't tell you, but if you are using a moving company, you have to get a ToR. No exceptions. You then have to prove that you own the big value items you are shipping over, and that you have been living in that current address for more than 12 months.

The moving company will not and cannot sort it out for you.

EDIT: I'm not taking everything either. I am only taking a bed, bedside tables, my braai, desktop computer, and some other junk. Certainly not my whole household and I still need one.
 
When we relocated to Portugal we divided our jewellery between me, my wife and daughter and carried it on the plain in our hand luggage. No problem. We now intend relocating to the UK and will do the same. No problem. Wear as much as you can.
 
When we relocated to Portugal we divided our jewellery between me, my wife and daughter and carried it on the plain in our hand luggage. No problem. We now intend relocating to the UK and will do the same. No problem. Wear as much as you can.

So the first thing I need to do is get a wife and daughter? Okay, will do.

Jokes, I understand your point. I think I will store most of it here somewhere and then take some pieces back with me whenever I visit. I might have to find a girlfriend over there and enlist her help to smuggle some of the stuff, because as a man I cannot wear any of it. It just wouldn't fit! My fingers and wrists are too fat.
 
So the first thing I need to do is get a wife and daughter? Okay, will do.

Jokes, I understand your point. I think I will store most of it here somewhere and then take some pieces back with me whenever I visit. I might have to find a girlfriend over there and enlist her help to smuggle some of the stuff, because as a man I cannot wear any of it. It just wouldn't fit! My fingers and wrists are too fat.

Throw them on a chain around your neck. Who are they to judge your choice of style :P
 
Hey guys,

So as some of you know, I am emigrating soon, but I have a bit of a problem. When my mother died, she owned a lot of jewelry. Myself and my older brothers inherited everything from her estate, and jewelry was not explicitly named in the will (nothing was).

So now I own this jewelry, and in theory I would like to take it with me to the UK. But, the problem is, how can I prove ownership? I could get it all valued, but a valuation certificate does not prove ownership, right?

I don't think it is especially valuable - as in, no antiques and no massive diamonds. But still valuable enough that paying customs on it would probably be pretty expensive.

What should I do?
Pick a few pieces that you like which has sentimental value and sell most of it.

How do you proof ownership of anything, I would suspect just declaring that it is yours would be enough?
 
Just chuck it all in your hand luggage. No problem.
 
Could be worse. You could have to move a dozen high value watches
 
I don't know if they didn't tell you, but if you are using a moving company, you have to get a ToR. No exceptions. You then have to prove that you own the big value items you are shipping over, and that you have been living in that current address for more than 12 months.

The moving company will not and cannot sort it out for you.

EDIT: I'm not taking everything either. I am only taking a bed, bedside tables, my braai, desktop computer, and some other junk. Certainly not my whole household and I still need one.
If you take it in your carry on luggage?

While I am female... I've always taken jewelry as hand luggage as you're always told not to place high value items in you hold storage luggage... I've never been asked about the jewelry.
 
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