Importing items from US - customs, tax etc how much to expect?

[neil_cb125t]

So I have got onto the band wagon of importing bits from USA for the new build,

I have checked the old GOVT website to try and work out how much GST and other crappy fees are going to be placed on my items.

Knowning there are guys out there that have done this ( import from the states ) what should i expect and how ( if you can ) can you get 'around' some of these charges.

I am importing a full exhuast sytem and a full motor, both around the 1000 US mark each incl frieght

cheers for you help

chappy

[White trash]

Pay your GST like you should and don't sweat it.

[pritch]

If they charge GST on the value of the goods plus the cost of freight it can seem a bit tough. Them's the breaks though and if you did your sums right you'll be OK.

Importing stuff is like being a virgin. You know what it is and you know how it's done, but until you have the experience...

[Dodgy]

Well, figure into your budget that you are going to have to pay GST and be pleasantly relieved if you do not....

Some exporters will amend the total declared value to be US$300 to keep it under the threshold. However, if customs suspect that you are taking the piss then they will estimate the value.

It can be random if you billed at all. I had a complete 2009 R6 front end sent from the US. It was well over the threshold and declared as so, but I didnt get stung. If you use UPS then it is pretty well guaranteed that you will be charged, USPS sometimes sneaks through.

At least if you are self employed and your road bike is a business vehicle, then you can claim it all as operating expense and also get the GST credited back.. No luck with a racebike

[Toaster]

If they charge GST on the value of the goods plus the cost of freight it can seem a bit tough. Them's the breaks though and if you did your sums right you'll be OK.

Importing stuff is like being a virgin. You know what it is and you know how it's done, but until you have the experience...

GST is charged on the value of the item plus freight and insurance if applicable.

What people buying online forget is that it is no different to buying a product locally, in which you also pay for the item and all it took to get it here. Simple.

GST is a GOODS and SERVICES tax. The freight and insurance are both services. The item is the good.

The Customs website fact sheets explain what you need to know for importing anything.

I hope that helps those that need to know what is payable and understand why it is payable.

[Latte]

$400 NZD inc Freight is the "magic mark" where you should be charged GST on top. May have changed with the new gst rate though.

[neil_cb125t]

Cheers guys

totaly understand GST - good to see our govt gets money when I buy things not from our country or from our retailers - we could have that.

I was more concerned about some stupid import tax i didn't know about.

we'll see how we go - even with GST on top of what im buying its still cheaper than buying anything here.... if you can find it!

[Robert Taylor]

Cheers guys

totaly understand GST - good to see our govt gets money when I buy things not from our country or from our retailers - we could have that.

I was more concerned about some stupid import tax i didn't know about.

we'll see how we go - even with GST on top of what im buying its still cheaper than buying anything here.... if you can find it!

Customs have tightened up a lot and if they find that the declared value is underwritten there are serious penalties for all parties involved. Its not worth the risk!

[Gremlin]

Bring stuff in. If its over the $400 limit (all up, Inc shipping), expect to get charged for GST. Sometimes you might not, be happy :D

Had one package at $404, got stung for GST, but they tacked on the customs processing fee, so $61 of GST became more like $120. Ouch.

Had another package at $520, no charges.

[Usarka]

Get someone to send in some drugs on the same day. Customs will be wetting themselves at the find and might ignore the boring tax stuff.

[jasonu]

Well, figure into your budget that you are going to have to pay GST and be pleasantly relieved if you do not....

It can be random if you billed at all. I had a complete 2009 R6 front end sent from the US. It was well over the threshold and declared as so, but I didnt get stung. If you use UPS then it is pretty well guaranteed that you will be charged, USPS sometimes sneaks through.



UPS is hughly expensive (big rippoff imo) and I believe USPS (yank postoffice) have a 70lb limit as well as some physical size restrictions. Since the USPS stopped sea freight sending bigger things overseas has become pricey as unless you can jack up a sea freight company you have to go airmail.
Have a look at www.usps.com for more info. It is a good, easy to navigate website.
If you get stuck PM me and I will help with local info if I can but it will cost you some beer next time I am in NZ...

[steveyb]

The costs of mailing the exhuast and engine via the normal post will be prohibative or impossible (too big, heavy).
UPS is certainly waaaay too expensive. I have people over there that I get stuff off use USPS. It can be a pain for them as they do not have Post Shops like we do and need to go queue up at the Post Office like we used to do once upon a time, and there will be one Post Office in a good sized town.
When I lived in Michigan, there was one post office in our city of about 100, 000 people!
I just had two packages sent USPS, one took 30 days, one took 5!! Go figure. But it is cheap.

For these items you will really need to contact a freight forwarding company.
If I am not mistooken, that White Trailer Trash fulla knows about this.
Or contact Mainfreight International, they work well for me. John Kennedy at Wellington Airport depot is the man.
There will be GST, customs, MAF fees to pay, but no or only negligible import duties.
Make sure the engine is fully cleaned, I mean spotless and free from oil.

The other option is to contact someone like Kyle Keys dad, forget his name, or Ross Graham in New Plymouth and see if you can get it put in a container with their car and bike parts.

[RDjase]

My Ducati came from San Diego, I bought it here tho

The import and shipping papers have Schuacher Cargo Lines and Main Freight NZ/Owens International on them. Went by sea from Long Beach Ca, to Tauranga. Cant make much sense out of the prices for freight.

The guy I got it off and had a mate there so that would have helped heaps

http://www.schumachercargo.com/

Let us know how you get on Neil

Ps, My Duke got imported April 07

[lukemillar]

$400 NZD inc Freight is the "magic mark" where you should be charged GST on top. May have changed with the new gst rate though.

Since the increase to 15%, that has gone down to about $330

[Latte]

Since the increase to 15%, that has gone down to about $330

Nope still $400. They have raised the amount that they won't collect from $50 (12.5% of $400) to $60 (15% of $400).

http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Private+importers/Customs+charges.htm

[lukemillar]

Nope still $400. They have raised the amount that they won't collect from $50 (12.5% of $400) to $60 (15% of $400).

http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Private+importers/Customs+charges.htm

Ah - I thought it was still $50! Good to know

[Latte]

Ah - I thought it was still $50! Good to know

Surprised they changed it, figured they'd be out for more $$$.

[kiwi cowboy]

Since the increase to 15%, that has gone down to about $330

Negative on that as i checked the other day and told 400 dollars total no gst charged but after that its 15 percent