How to get an iPad before it's available in the UK

 

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Posted on 12 Mar 2010 at 15:25

Earlier today, Apple started taking iPad pre-orders ahead of its scheduled availability date on 3rd April. Currently though, it's limited to the US and you'll need a US address and credit card to sign up for the pre-order.

It's unclear exactly when the iPad is going to be available in the UK as availability on this side of the pond hasn't been announced, although Apple has said that it'll be available before the end of April.

But why wait until the iPad's UK release at the end of April when there is a way for us Brits to get hold of the iPad before it is eventually released over here - and it may end up being cheaper than getting a UK model. This is one for those of you who just cannot wait any longer to get your hands on the Apple iPad.

Bundle Box, an online transatlantic shopping service founded last year by a former Google executive, has announced that you'll be able to pre-order an iPad from the US by registering for a free US postal address owned by the service.

Once the iPad is released in the US on 3rd April, Apple will ship your order to the registered address and Bundle Box will then send it onto you straight away. Bundle Box says that you'll receive your iPad "within three days of the highly anticipated 3rd April US launch."

Typically, when you order overseas, you get stung with import duty as well as shipping and VAT charges. However, Bundle Box says that it has spent weeks negotiating with UK customs authorities and has managed to convince them that the iPad is an "automatic data processing machine" which means it doesn't qualify for import duty charges under UK customs rules.

Anyone who uses Bundle Box's service to order an iPad from the States could end up saving as much as £35 on the rumoured £499 UK price for the 16GB WiFi version. Instead of the expected £499 asking price, you'll pay £465.20 including shipping and VAT - and you'll get the device a few weeks early too. Of course, Apple could surprise us all and announce much lower than expected UK pricing, but the rumoured price is in line with all other Apple products available in the UK.

Bundle Box founder Andre Schmidt said that "by using Bundle Box, Brits can now get an iPad at the same time as our friends across the pond, without having to actually fly out and buy it."

For those of you who don't have a US-registered credit card, which is required to pre-purchase an iPad in the States, fear not because Bundle Box has you covered. The retailer also provides a 'Buy For Me' service which allows Brits to buy goods from US websites who require a US-registered credit card.

To get your iPad early, you simply need to register for an account on Bundle Box, select the Buy For Me service and then order and pay for your iPad. You should receive your iPad on 6th April if Bundle Box keeps its end of the bargain.

Author: Tim Smalley