Bringing back items from overseas?

[Hopeful Bastard]

So. Looking at travelling one of these days soon and was wondering if others have gone through what i am wanting to go through

Have you gone overseas and then found helmets or gear or something for your bike you really want? So you buy it and so be it.

But what i am wanting to know is: Will you get charged tax on stuff when you bring it back into NZ? If so, What is the cost?


Looking at some helmets which cost 500pounds which at the moment, converts to appx $1006. Retail in NZ is $1300

[normajeane]

We brought a helmet back from the states, it was cheaper to buy but the main thing was it was unique. No we did not have to pay any extra taxes. Also have bought lleathers, etc and I guess if it is over a certain dollar, yes there will be something to pay e.g. GST on a car we brought into the country!

[FJRider]

Duty is paid on some things ... on this link, helmets attract 0 % duty ie: NONE required ...

http://www.customs.govt.nz/news/resources/factsheets/Documents/Fact%20Sheet%2028.pdf

[Brian407]

Easy way for me was to post things to myself from whatever country i was in at the time. Saved on all sorts of hassles at airports, and excess baggage charges. (i like to travel light)

Two things to watch out for thought. Write 'gift' on the declaration (no duties) and check various different postage costs, they can be wildly different. USPS was the cheapest in the States, and UPS was the most expensive.

[Harry the Barstard]

I go over to the states every year for work and bring all sorts of stuff back.

One thing worth noting is that you dont have to pay tax on safety equipment, ie leathers, helemts etc (well, that was the case two years ago).

Also postage is very cheap over there and you can have your parcel insured for $1-2 USD in most cases. But as previouslt stated, there is a cap on other items. If the total sum of all the new crap you bring back is below $x, your sweet as.

[RDJ]

I go over to the states every year for work and bring all sorts of stuff back.

One thing worth noting is that you dont have to pay tax on safety equipment, ie leathers, helemts etc (well, that was the case two years ago).

Also postage is very cheap over there and you can have your parcel insured for $1-2 USD in most cases. But as previouslt stated, there is a cap on other items. If the total sum of all the new crap you bring back is below $x, your sweet as.

If what you're bringing back through AKL airport is worth more than $700NZ and is dutiable, Customs will start charging you (usually/only) if the total you have to pay is heading into double figures... as a generalization.

[Harry the Barstard]

If what you're bringing back through AKL airport is worth more than $700NZ and is dutiable, Customs will start charging you (usually/only) if the total you have to pay is heading into double figures... as a generalization.

Thats ineresting,

I brought a husky 350 (chainsaw worth $1299 in NZ). I picked it up in the states for $299USD. Brought it back through customs no prob. I had to remove the bar and bucking spike and put them in a different bag though.

[FJRider]

Easy way for me was to post things to myself from whatever country i was in at the time. Saved on all sorts of hassles at airports, and excess baggage charges. (i like to travel light)

Two things to watch out for thought. Write 'gift' on the declaration (no duties) and check various different postage costs, they can be wildly different. USPS was the cheapest in the States, and UPS was the most expensive.

Check out bottom right on the second page in this link ...

http://www.customs.govt.nz/news/resources/factsheets/Documents/Fact%20Sheet%2028.pdf

[Brian407]

Interesting but i've sent items well in excess of that amount, and in one case over 5k, back and never paid gst or any other duties yet. Have never hidden or misrepresented the value either. Must be just lucky i guess, although once in Cairo I had to unpack a box in the post centre to prove the contents matched the declaration before i could send it. Seems they're a little sensitive about their antiques being taken out of the country.

Been a few years since ive done that mind you.

[FJRider]

In my experience ... the key is USED items .... NEW attracts duties.

[rastuscat]

Brought back a dose of.........well, that's another story.

No trouble with Customs, different story with the wife...........

[Brian407]

was it new or used...

[Chooky]

And if your coming out of Aus,they have a tourist tax rebate scheme [ i think thats what it called] where on items worth more than $400 you get the 10% gst back.
On the arrival card back into NZ you are asked to declare anything that you've claimed tax on.... but how can you remember to do that.....:cool:

[shafty]

We brought back bike gear in Sept from the USA as personal luggage, no questions asked, nor should they be. If posting from there, ask about their fixed rates for various sized boxes - some weight limit applies but good value

HTH

Shafty