They will usually go off the value printed on the package, customs don't know the "actual" value of cigars I don't think (they couldn't really, as who knows if the person sending it as a "gift" has bought them in mass and so, cheap).
I've imported DVDS from the US before that Amazon marked as gifts and were about $30, I didn't get any charges that time - I think they only sometimes bother.
Anyway, thanks for all the happy birthday wishes
AVB : At the moment Bullit Bourbon, or Jack Daniels if I can't get hold of the former. I think my point was that 70% of any alcohol price in the uk is actually tax..
!
Actually wages in England is better but they make up for it with rent, taxes, and cost of every thing else. So in reality is it better? Thats only a question you can decide. I travel to England every time I goto the UK and Europe. I've been to the Davidoff shop in London and its worth it but at a great cost to ones wallet.
Minimum wage in the UK is $7.50/hr at the moment afaik and is what my fiance earns. I'm on my year out in industry at the moment and they pay me $32,146/year but out of this in NI and tax I pay $6,980/year and my rent is $9,636/year (for a very small studio flat [no bedrooms]) ...
(then there is council tax [$1,512], water, electricty, tv licence, gas etc. etc. :s ).. ah well that's life I guess
edit: Forgot to mention, I actually finish this placement next Friday at which point I have to switch back to living on student loans ($7,500/year) - myself and the missus are already in a joint-debt of about $52-53,000 - the trouble with being a student!
I should really stop moaning, I apologise guys.. it's just nice to vent sometimes