Clooney could face R1.6m tax bill for ring

George Clooney could face a hefty bill from the UK taxman after his fiancée arrived at London's Heathrow airport wearing her new engagement ring.

The Hollywood actor, 53, presented human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, 36, with the seven-carat emerald-cut ring when he proposed at his California home in April.

But after the British lawyer was spotted strolling through customs at Heathrow on May 13, questions have been raised about whether her fiancée had paid the tax.

British travellers who arrive from non-EU countries must pay customs duty and import VAT on all goods that exceed stated allowances.

Duty for Alamuddin's ring would be 2.5% of the total value, £10397.50, plus import VAT of 20% of its value.

That would leave the couple owing the taxman £93577 (more than R1.6-million).

Clooney's spokesman refused to disclose whether Amal stopped to pay the tax at the airport, or was planning to pay later.