Customs, too stupid to be idiots

[98tls]

A bloke buys some parts from the states,$1650 worth to be exact and all is good until he gets an email from the seller advising that they had written the value as $350 there money:weird:they were not asked to do so but the bits are on there way so having had a bad experience with a seller doing similar (again not asked to) in the past the bloke decides to contact customs and tell them whats been done as once customs work out the things undervalued it takes heaps of shagging about to get anything off them.Takes a bit to get hold of someone at customs worth talking to but finally the bloke does,he realises that his parcels just one of a millon but gives the customs guy all the details he can and said customs guy advises him its a good thing he did as theres no way something undervalued like that would get through,bloke again advises the officer he really needed the parts and the reason for calling was simply to avoid a long winded and frustrating hold up all good says the officer someone would be in touch once the parcel arrived in the country:no:not a chance,few days later the blokes bits turn up in a courier van,no hold up and no duty payable:laugh:I hear a lot on here about what damage this does to the locals trying to make a living out of motorcycles and guys that do undervalue stuff tend to get some flak but bloody hell whats a bloke have to do:weird:

[Yow Ling]

Just send them a cheque if it makes you feel better.

[Dodgy]

Personally, I would fine you for being such a punctuation simpleton.

Yes, send them a cheque if that you make you sleep easier. Undervalued items get through customs all of the time.

[breakaway]

The only issue with doing that is if your parts were to get lost or damaged in transit, you can't claim compensation more than the value on the parcel.

[98tls]

Personally, I would fine you for being such a punctuation simpleton.

Yes, send them a cheque if that you make you sleep easier. Undervalued items get through customs all of the time. Punctuation i could give a toss about fella.Sure stuff gets through but i find it very surprising in this case as what was in the box was clearly worth far more than what was written on the ticket,as for sending them a cheque why?you can lead a horse to water but if hes not thirsty then so be it.My point here is ive read countless threads re owners of motorcycle based businesses banging on about imported stuff being cheap and the merits of customs and duty etc but after being informed of incoming stuff well undervalued customs still couldnt pick it up.

[breakaway]

Also, the reason you did not get jacked was because they had no idea what it's worth.

Try importing a macbook or an iPad or some other mainstream electronics shit declared as $200 on the box and let me know how far you get.

[avgas]

If your nice to them - they complain.
If your not nice to them - they complain.

Gotta feel sorry for the customs guys who are nice enough to not charge you more. Seems the only moron in this story is the one who forgot the word "Thankyou".
Hell my son knows that one and he is not even 2.

[MIXONE]

Just send them a cheque if it makes you feel better.

Make it out to Mr. C Ash and send it c/- me...

[The Reibz]

What a good cunt

[98tls]

Also, the reason you did not get jacked was because they had no idea what it's worth.

Try importing a macbook or an iPad or some other mainstream electronics shit declared as $200 on the box and let me know how far you get.

:laugh::laugh:ffs they were told how much it was worth,thats the whole point here.They were given every possible tracking/item number etc etc the point being to avoid a long wait whilst they fucked about sending notices in the mail weeks later.

[jolly_26]

Is it possible somewhere along the line someone couldn't be bothered doing the paperwork of re valuing the items? "Ah well, the guy knows he should be paying tax, so we're not supporting someone intentionally breaking the law, and it won't happen again. Fuck it."

[Woodman]

Your call was probarbly more of an annoyance to them than anything. In the grand scheme of things it probarbly wasn't worth the effort.

Good onya for being straight up with them though, but I do wonder if they have now flagged that supplier as being fraudulent for future reference.

[Berries]

Personally, I would fine you for being such a punctuation simpleton.

Yes, send them a cheque if that you make you sleep easier.
Classic.



10mfc

[Damantis]

What website were the parts bought on then?

[Grizzo]

Personally, I would fine you for being such a punctuation simpleton.

Yes, send them a cheque if that you make you sleep easier. Undervalued items get through customs all of the time.

Christ, another English teacher:motu:

Good score man, tiz good when good stuff happens:niceone:

[98tls]

Your call was probarbly more of an annoyance to them than anything. In the grand scheme of things it probarbly wasn't worth the effort.

Good onya for being straight up with them though, but I do wonder if they have now flagged that supplier as being fraudulent for future reference.

I doubt it as they didnt ask who it was bought off,the companys name was all over the box but as they didnt bother doing anything about it then they wouldnt have a clue.Being straight up with them was purely to avoid the hassle of them keeping it in a warehouse in Auckland until sombody could be bothered sending a letter,the duty owed was an annoyance but not as much as the suspected delay.Having a laugh at the "didnt have a clue what things are worth" comments by some,if they dont then what the fuck are they doing working there?If i paid my mortgage by owning a motorcycle parts related business i would be a tad miffed.

[Robert Taylor]

If the Government ( any Government ) legislated that the banks collected clearance and gst on every overseas monetary transaction that would stop a lot of false declaration fraud in its tracks and streamline the workload for Customs who are struggling to keep up with huge incoming freight.
The Governments overall tax take from gst is substanially down and to not put too fine a ppoint on it much of it must be from offshore internet purchases that have replaced local purchases from local companies who are obliged to charge gst.
Aside from many other politically polarised opinions there is little wonder that we are going to continue to struggle to get into surplus when for varying reasons the Government is failing to collect enough tax from existing taxation streams. As opposed to the creation of new taxes, something most of us dont want.
As I have stated many times the playing field is not level, severely penalising NZ businesses and the people they employ.

[98tls]

Christ, another English teacher:motu:

Good score man, tiz good when good stuff happens:niceone:

I guess mate.As i keep saying the point of contacting them (which wasnt that easy believe me) was to avoid any holdups not on some Crusade to pay duty.Nobody was more surprised than me when the box turned up.:mellow:

[98tls]

If the Government ( any Government ) legislated that the banks collected clearance and gst on every overseas monetary transaction that would stop a lot of false declaration fraud in its tracks and streamline the workload for Customs who are struggling to keep up with huge incoming freight.
The Governments overall tax take from gst is substanially down and to not put too fine a ppoint on it much of it must be from offshore internet purchases that have replaced local purchases from local companies who are obliged to charge gst.
Aside from many other politically polarised opinions there is little wonder that we are going to continue to struggle to get into surplus when for varying reasons the Government is failing to collect enough tax from existing taxation streams. As opposed to the creation of new taxes, something most of us dont want.
As I have stated many times the playing field is not level, severely penalising NZ businesses and the people they employ.

Wondered what you would have to say when i kicked off,believe me for the reason stated everything was done to ensure a smooth end to the parts turning up asap.

[BMWST?]

Punctuation i could give a toss about fella.Sure stuff gets through but i find it very surprising in this case as what was in the box was clearly worth far more than what was written on the ticket,as for sending them a cheque why?you can lead a horse to water but if hes not thirsty then so be it.My point here is ive read countless threads re owners of motorcycle based businesses banging on about imported stuff being cheap and the merits of customs and duty etc but after being informed of incoming stuff well undervalued customs still couldnt pick it up.


Its Karma Bro

[pzkpfw]

I once paid duty to customs for a Belly Pan and Hugger that came from the U.K.

Later realised they'd thought the stuff was clothing - and I shouldn't actually have been charged. (Confirmed with phone call to customs).

The run-around to get a refund made me just leave it in their coffers.

[Jjgres]

The system is not set up to deal with honesty.

[Coldrider]

A few $Million of chrystal meth probably slipped through while they were trying to track your package.

[AllanB]

Good deal and cheers to the customs dude. Thought you might get a $50 import charge or something.

The big question is why is there not a picture of the goodies yet?

[Berries]

If the Government ( any Government ) legislated that the banks collected clearance and gst on every overseas monetary transaction that would stop a lot of false declaration fraud in its tracks and streamline the workload for Customs who are struggling to keep up with huge incoming freight.
The Governments overall tax take from gst is substanially down and to not put too fine a ppoint on it much of it must be from offshore internet purchases that have replaced local purchases from local companies who are obliged to charge gst.
Aside from many other politically polarised opinions there is little wonder that we are going to continue to struggle to get into surplus when for varying reasons the Government is failing to collect enough tax from existing taxation streams. As opposed to the creation of new taxes, something most of us dont want.
As I have stated many times the playing field is not level, severely penalising NZ businesses and the people they employ.
I blame Thatcher.

[ktm84mxc]

If it's your money Robert would your answer be different ? had to buy parts on line for my VMX KTM, NZ can't supply so ordered from a guy in Austria. Needed a apple lap top charger can't get here , Ebay $39nz delivered. A lot of the time parts from overseas will keep a bike going as opposed to being junked here due to cost.

[Dragon]

Another way around duty is to send the parts as a warranty item that way you can put the correct value of the goods for insurance purposes but for customs because its a replacement on the orginal good there is no charges as it has a $0 value.

[98tls]

Another way around duty is to send the parts as a warranty item that way you can put the correct value of the goods for insurance purposes but for customs because its a replacement on the orginal good there is no charges as it has a $0 value.

Interesting though as most of the stuff i buys for a 15 year old bike not sure how that would go.

[Dragon]

Interesting though as most of the stuff i buys for a 15 year old bike not sure how that would go.

Are you buying from an indivdual or a vendor?

[98tls]

Its Karma Bro

Must be,off to the shed i go then,theres bling to be fitted.

[cheshirecat]

Make it out to Mr. C Ash and send it c/- me...

With a bit of luck the punctuation might be out by a couple of zero's

[98tls]

Are you buying from an indivdual or a vendor?

Most of the stuff i buy is off a forum centered on my specific bike,theres plenty of group buys ie a member in the states will deal with a company over there directly and buy a large number of whatever it is guys are after.In this case a bloke managed to get an exhaust outfit to do a run of complete exhausts for an old bike,one that they had stopped making aftermarket exhausts for years ago,as long as we had a decent number they agreed to do it,higher the numbers the lower the price.

[Dragon]

Most of the stuff i buy is off a forum centered on my specific bike,theres plenty of group buys ie a member in the states will deal with a company over there directly and buy a large number of whatever it is guys are after.In this case a bloke managed to get an exhaust outfit to do a run of complete exhausts for an old bike,one that they had stopped making aftermarket exhausts for years ago,as long as we had a decent number they agreed to do it,higher the numbers the lower the price.

Generally the orginal vendor will give you a basic warranty ie welds will last etc

Generally customs wont ask for a copy of the invoice from the orginal item that is being replaced under warranty

The theory is you shouldnt have to pay duty on something youve already paid it on and are getting replaced due to a defect.

Its quite hard to explain and tbh I don't do it i am just aware of how it works, if I were to do it I would only do it for personal items ie a 2 set of leathers for example

The issue the govenment says they are having is that they lose out on gst etc when people buy there own stuff from outside nz however alot of the time its not charged anyway its all the luck of the draw

If the govenment really wanted to stop it they would police it better

[boman]

I bought an exhaust, for my bike, out of the USA. (No NZ dealers, before you slate me for doing so.)

It was labelled correctly, it was priced as I paid for it.

And it took a week to get here. NO extra Customs duty. I assumed it was because it was Motorcycle parts, and therefor exempt from Customs duty.

[Robert Taylor]

Wondered what you would have to say when i kicked off,believe me for the reason stated everything was done to ensure a smooth end to the parts turning up asap.

Its clear you acted properly rather than trying to pull the wool over their eyes. No deceit

[Robert Taylor]

I blame Thatcher.

Thats totally impossible. A lovely woman who loved her country so much she reversed its decline, only for the successive idiots to stuff it all up again

[Robert Taylor]

If it's your money Robert would your answer be different ? had to buy parts on line for my VMX KTM, NZ can't supply so ordered from a guy in Austria. Needed a apple lap top charger can't get here , Ebay $39nz delivered. A lot of the time parts from overseas will keep a bike going as opposed to being junked here due to cost.

Many many times I have stated that I can see ALL sides of the story and yes there is now so much product worldwide you cannot source it all through NZ retailers. I myself occassionally purchase stuff online but not before I check if its first available in NZ. If it is available here I first give the NZ retailer the chance

If a purchase is made online I personally have no issue with paying clearance and gst. Looking at the big picture because so many sales have now ( for many reasons and this is not about justification or otherwise) been displaced away from NZ retailers there is a substanial reduction in tax take ( gst ). We all want social services, good roads etc ad infinitum and because of a failure to tax everything that comes in do we really want Governments to find tax in other areas?

[Robert Taylor]

Another way around duty is to send the parts as a warranty item that way you can put the correct value of the goods for insurance purposes but for customs because its a replacement on the orginal good there is no charges as it has a $0 value.

So you condone declaration fraud?

[Robert Taylor]

I bought an exhaust, for my bike, out of the USA. (No NZ dealers, before you slate me for doing so.)

It was labelled correctly, it was priced as I paid for it.

And it took a week to get here. NO extra Customs duty. I assumed it was because it was Motorcycle parts, and therefor exempt from Customs duty.

Exhausts actually are a very good example, for many reasons;

1) Every man and his dog makes the damn things, there are just so many it would be impossible for every brand to be represented in this tiny country and many others

2) Because of the above its economic suicide on that count to stock a range that with many of the items you will die with. Remember that exhaust systems are very model specific so if you have something that is not current your chances of selling it without making a loss becomes extremely negligible. So the profit you may have made on a few sales is swallowed by the dead stock you cannot sell. In fact one of the major accessory distributors here in NZ had quite a high profile with a leading brand of exhaust over the last few years. They ended up ( excuse the pun ) canning it. In part for the reasons above but also because of lead times to forward order product that has to be manufactured. In deference to the ( Im sorry ) uninformed reading this thread manufacturers dont have endless inventory of product nor do they have the capacity to make something at the click of ones fingers. Production of successive and different lines is planned through a year and also has to be timed with raw material deliveries and also assembly components from sub vendors. There is only so much production capacity and sometimes production can be several months out. So when you complain that its not available straight away then there is a very solid reason why.

3) Imagine having to crystal ball product that you should stock when serving a VERY tiny market. The size of this market exacerbates that whole issue, BIGTIME

4)Youve also answered a BIG part of the problem, you paid no clearance fees or gst and really should have been for there to be a level playing field. That places commercial operators who have to pay custom brokers fees, clearances ( at a higher rate than private individuals ) and gst on EVERY link of the transcation ( including freight ) at a serious disadvantage. Rather akin to a rower losing an arm.

So given all ( but not restricted to ) the above reasons would you become a commercial motorcycle exhaust distributor?

[98tls]

I bought an exhaust, for my bike, out of the USA. (No NZ dealers, before you slate me for doing so.)

It was labelled correctly, it was priced as I paid for it.

And it took a week to get here. NO extra Customs duty. I assumed it was because it was Motorcycle parts, and therefor exempt from Customs duty.

Been buying motorcycle parts for years from the states and been charged duty for most of it if valued over $400 NZ.

[boman]

Been buying motorcycle parts for years from the states and been charged duty for most of it if valued over $400 NZ.

I guess I was lucky then. I did expect to pay extra, and I was surprised I did not have too.

[98tls]

Exhausts actually are a very good example, for many reasons;

1) Every man and his dog makes the damn things, there are just so many it would be impossible for every brand to be represented in this tiny country and many others

2) Because of the above its economic suicide on that count to stock a range that with many of the items you will die with. Remember that exhaust systems are very model specific so if you have something that is not current your chances of selling it without making a loss becomes extremely negligible. So the profit you may have made on a few sales is swallowed by the dead stock you cannot sell. In fact one of the major accessory distributors here in NZ had quite a high profile with a leading brand of exhaust over the last few years. They ended up ( excuse the pun ) canning it. In part for the reasons above but also because of lead times to forward order product that has to be manufactured. In deference to the ( Im sorry ) uninformed reading this thread manufacturers dont have endless inventory of product nor do they have the capacity to make something at the click of ones fingers. Production of successive and different lines is planned through a year and also has to be timed with raw material deliveries and also assembly components from sub vendors. There is only so much production capacity and sometimes production can be several months out. So when you complain that its not available straight away then there is a very solid reason why.

So given all ( but not restricted to ) the above reasons would you become a commercial motorcycle exhaust distributor?

The process of getting this M4 system was indeed bloody lengthy,after 1st agreeing to make the things if we got the numbers to make it worthwhile they then had to fit it in to there schedule,was at one stage put on hold due to them running out of carbon but all in all well worth the wait,quality stuff and the sound:Punk:A pic fwiw.

[PeeJay]

4)Youve also answered a BIG part of the problem, you paid no clearance fees or gst and really should have been for there to be a level playing field. That places commercial operators who have to pay custom brokers fees, clearances ( at a higher rate than private individuals ) and gst on EVERY link of the transcation ( including freight ) at a serious disadvantage. Rather akin to a rower losing an arm.

So given all ( but not restricted to ) the above reasons would you become a commercial motorcycle exhaust distributor?

BS is still BS, no matter how many times you say it and hope that it changes.

1) The gst free threshhold is the same for private and commercial importers.
2) Commercial importers have an advantage in that all expenses, eg brokerage fees, etc are tax deductible
3) gst paid to customs is refunded to commercial importers via the IRD
4) Clearance fees are the same for private and commercial importers.

I have sympathy for NZ manufacturers who are undercut by imports, both commercial and private, this actually costs kiwi jobs.
But commercial importers ? no sympathy at all.
Its actually commercial importers who have cost NZ manufacturing and kiwi jobs
Look around you, its commercial importers who have stuffed our clothing industry, shut car assy plants and associated industries, electronics manufacture and assy, we even used to make motorcycle helmets here, etc etc etc

So before slagging off private importers, look in the mirror.
All that money you send overseas supports Swedish, Japanese, Korean and Chinese workers not Kiwi workers
Dont throw stones if you are in a glass house, and get off your high horse before you fall off.

[Arronduke]

I buy from the USA ... generally that parts are 50% cheaper.
I also tell the bike shop what I can get the bits for and they have the opportunity to match the price.

Most of the time they don't, yea yea yea tell me all the shit about trying to run a business etc, don't wash with me.

Don't get me wrong I will support the local shop but if they are ripping me blind then no thanks.

example.. Kick stand for a dirt bike.. in NZ $94, landed from USA $48.. don't know about you but when I look in the shitter there is not heaps of used $100 notes
Sorry but that's the way life is now.

How many of you buy NZ made tee shirts?

[98tls]

How many of you buy NZ made tee shirts?

I only buy NZ made tee shirts,the sizings always wrong and there made of shit so virtually see through so i pass them on to the Mrs.;)

[nosebleed]

...A pic fwiw.

Meke. Would love to hear them.

[Robert Taylor]

BS is still BS, no matter how many times you say it and hope that it changes.

1) The gst free threshhold is the same for private and commercial importers.
2) Commercial importers have an advantage in that all expenses, eg brokerage fees, etc are tax deductible
3) gst paid to customs is refunded to commercial importers via the IRD
4) Clearance fees are the same for private and commercial importers.

I have sympathy for NZ manufacturers who are undercut by imports, both commercial and private, this actually costs kiwi jobs.
But commercial importers ? no sympathy at all.
Its actually commercial importers who have cost NZ manufacturing and kiwi jobs
Look around you, its commercial importers who have stuffed our clothing industry, shut car assy plants and associated industries, electronics manufacture and assy, we even used to make motorcycle helmets here, etc etc etc

So before slagging off private importers, look in the mirror.
All that money you send overseas supports Swedish, Japanese, Korean and Chinese workers not Kiwi workers
Dont throw stones if you are in a glass house, and get off your high horse before you fall off.

Here we go again, I have copies of invoices for ''private clearances'' and commercial clearances. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN BROKERAGE FEES, commercial operators pay more, full stop. What you also conveniently overlook is yes there is a gst money go round but the commercial operator has to have the funding in place to pay that gst in the first place, often by bank overdraft facilities and the fees paid for that ( not tiny ) There is also the substanial cost of managing that money go round via accountancy fees etc etc. And then we will get started on ACC levies and many other compounding business costs shall we??????

You also conveniently overlook that many purchasers are now escaping gst that they would otherwise pay if the goods were purchased locally ( and in fairness thats not always possible and I have stated many times that ( unlike you ) I can see all sides of the story ) So, this is one of my main salient points, the Government is losing out on a lot of tax revenue and the insidious thing is that because it seems to be in ''the hard basket'' to not collect fully from existing taxation streams they will inevitably look at creating new taxes or raising in other areas, such as the proposed and forthcoming hikes in petrol tax.

Its all about balance and a sense of fairplay. Although I am an importer employing locals ( and subcontracting to locals ) and providing a service to locals I would much prefer to see a much weaker $NZ. The bigger picture of whats good for the country at large should always come before self interest.

BTW, in deference to your emotional outburst I am not slagging off private importers, Im highlighting defects in the way NZ customs operate, as have others in this thread. Ive also provided some not irrelevant insight into timelines for manufacturing that a number of readers may have been unaware of. And As I also have stated I occassionally purchase some items offshore myself and would not consider it an affront to pay clearance and gst on such purchases, no matter how small the TRUE value of the goods purchased. 98TLS has admirably made light of that.

[Robert Taylor]

I buy from the USA ... generally that parts are 50% cheaper.
I also tell the bike shop what I can get the bits for and they have the opportunity to match the price.

Most of the time they don't, yea yea yea tell me all the shit about trying to run a business etc, don't wash with me.

Don't get me wrong I will support the local shop but if they are ripping me blind then no thanks.

example.. Kick stand for a dirt bike.. in NZ $94, landed from USA $48.. don't know about you but when I look in the shitter there is not heaps of used $100 notes
Sorry but that's the way life is now.

How many of you buy NZ made tee shirts?

Best you start your own motorcycle shop then and recieve a rude awakening.

[Erelyes]

What you also conveniently overlook is yes there is a gst money go round but the commercial operator has to have the funding in place to pay that gst in the first place, often by bank overdraft facilities and the fees paid for that ( not tiny )

What? A business has to go into overdraft to pay GST on customs? You overlook that the GST a business collects in its sales (on behalf of the government, so not even their money), they get to keep hold of until 20 days after the end of the taxable period. Offsetting this GST paid to customs.

GST is pretty simple: you have a net profit, you pay the GST you collect; if you have a loss, you claim.

Any business turning a profit has the fabulous advantage of free money (not theirs) which they can do whatever the fuck they want with (i.e. deposit to earn interest) as long as they pay it back by X date.

The only way you would go into overdraft to pay customs GST is if A) your expenses are higher than sales, AND, B) you don't have a sufficient cash balance in the business to absorb that until the end of the taxable period, or C) you use the hybrid accounting basis.

A) is simply a demonstration of the fact that business is a risk, some win some lose. B) is a lapse of common sense. C) is a dangerous lack of common sense.


There is also the substantial cost of managing that money go round via accountancy fees etc etc. And then we will get started on ACC levies and many other compounding business costs shall we??????

What do you propose - that accountants work for free? That the govt pays for the overheads because some random decides to get into business? As a taxpayer I prefer supporting the businesses I like voluntarily (i.e. buying their stuff) rather than involuntarily funding every Joe Blow that thinks he can cut it. We do that already (free advice various Govt Departments give, start up grants, etc etc).

Sorry but business costs simply aren't that big a deal for those who understand they game they're playing. I'm not criticizing your personal business as I have no idea what you do, but I am criticizing your argument. If someone doesn't know what they're getting themselves in for, it's their own fucking fault. Caveat venditor (sort of). There are plenty of bankrupts that look back and say 'What the fuck happened', which demonstrates exactly why they bankrupted in the first place. I used to talk to people on a daily basis whose businesses were in danger, or in the process of being flushed down the shitter.


So, this is one of my main salient points, the Government is losing out on a lot of tax revenue and the insidious thing is that because it seems to be in ''the hard basket'' to not collect fully from existing taxation streams they will inevitably look at creating new taxes or raising in other areas, such as the proposed and forthcoming hikes in petrol tax.

Yes they're losing revenue and of course it's in the too hard basket. To be honest, since you have to deal with each individual case (contacting that any importing member of the public trying to defraud, is going to fight you over it for hours etc), the $$$ investment in each case to collect a hundred bucks of GST would probably mean a net loss. Sad state of affairs yes, can it be fixed, probably not without breaking several other things.

Back to the OP...

few days later the blokes bits turn up in a courier van,no hold up and no duty payable:laugh:

I feel like the guy hung up the phone, thought 'this guy has the right attitude, is doing the right thing, and I'm gonna see to it that we don't fuck him around by way of thanks' and just fast-tracked ya. Probably false but that's what I hope happened.

[Katman]

Most of the time they don't, yea yea yea tell me all the shit about trying to run a business etc, don't wash with me.

Don't get me wrong I will support the local shop but if they are ripping me blind then no thanks.



Let me guess - you don't have your own business, right?

[pete-blen]

How many of you buy NZ made tee shirts?


think you miss the point...
Not where they are made..but where you bought it..
If it's bought in NZ then duty / GST was payed on them...
but NZ made is even better...

Robert is correct....
But most people look for the best bang for there $.... thats the prob...
I just imported a bike part from Germany..should have been charged near $200 GST.. but
it ended up on my door step with no contact from customs....
They detracted 19% VAT/GST off it at there end because it went outside europe..
talk about win win...
But I don't see why NZ customs didn't put GST on it as it came though..

[Hacking]

Not looking forward coming home next week, im use to prices in california .
Things are cheaper here in most cases but there is 20million in los Angeles. I do feel for bike shops that need to buy through a distributor in N.Z to do business than bringing in there own imports but that is like with all business's in a small country it is a struggle but top it off motorcycles are a hobbie now days not a form off transport for the masses so everyone wants a deal or free advice from qualified people.
Now days anyone can search for problems retaining to there motorcyle , motorcycle shops are coming obsolete.
Robert taylor is not part for this trend as he specialized in suspension or ray clee, dave cole.these guys provide a service/ experience that your P.C won't .
I've looked at new bike prices in N.Z before shipping my bikes back,There is no need to even buy a new bike from a dealer as dealerships in the U.S will sell you a model for ex: zx10r 12-13k us and 800 for shipping, by law it has to be covered by the local dist if you push hard within the manufacturers time limts.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I've looked at new bike prices in N.Z before shipping my bikes back,There is no need to even buy a new bike from a dealer as dealerships in the U.S will sell you a model for ex: zx10r 12-13k us and 800 for shipping, by law it has to be covered by the local dist if you push hard within the manufacturers time limts.

Yeah but to try and buy one from NZ and import it...that turns into $19800 landed. Thenyou have to pay $$$$$ to swap the headlight etc etc...then get it vinned etc etc...so is it cheaper? Nope.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I once paid duty to customs for a Belly Pan and Hugger that came from the U.K.

Later realised they'd thought the stuff was clothing - and I shouldn't actually have been charged. (Confirmed with phone call to customs).

The run-around to get a refund made me just leave it in their coffers.


I bought an exhaust, for my bike, out of the USA. (No NZ dealers, before you slate me for doing so.)

It was labelled correctly, it was priced as I paid for it.

And it took a week to get here. NO extra Customs duty. I assumed it was because it was Motorcycle parts, and therefor exempt from Customs duty.

Matters not if they're motorcycle parts or sex toys. Still have to pay if the value of 'em is over $400.00.

[Robert Taylor]

What? A business has to go into overdraft to pay GST on customs? You overlook that the GST a business collects in its sales (on behalf of the government, so not even their money), they get to keep hold of until 20 days after the end of the taxable period. Offsetting this GST paid to customs.

GST is pretty simple: you have a net profit, you pay the GST you collect; if you have a loss, you claim.

Any business turning a profit has the fabulous advantage of free money (not theirs) which they can do whatever the fuck they want with (i.e. deposit to earn interest) as long as they pay it back by X date.

The only way you would go into overdraft to pay customs GST is if A) your expenses are higher than sales, AND, B) you don't have a sufficient cash balance in the business to absorb that until the end of the taxable period, or C) you use the hybrid accounting basis.

A) is simply a demonstration of the fact that business is a risk, some win some lose. B) is a lapse of common sense. C) is a dangerous lack of common sense.



What do you propose - that accountants work for free? That the govt pays for the overheads because some random decides to get into business? As a taxpayer I prefer supporting the businesses I like voluntarily (i.e. buying their stuff) rather than involuntarily funding every Joe Blow that thinks he can cut it. We do that already (free advice various Govt Departments give, start up grants, etc etc).

Sorry but business costs simply aren't that big a deal for those who understand they game they're playing. I'm not criticizing your personal business as I have no idea what you do, but I am criticizing your argument. If someone doesn't know what they're getting themselves in for, it's their own fucking fault. Caveat venditor (sort of). There are plenty of bankrupts that look back and say 'What the fuck happened', which demonstrates exactly why they bankrupted in the first place. I used to talk to people on a daily basis whose businesses were in danger, or in the process of being flushed down the shitter.



Yes they're losing revenue and of course it's in the too hard basket. To be honest, since you have to deal with each individual case (contacting that any importing member of the public trying to defraud, is going to fight you over it for hours etc), the $$$ investment in each case to collect a hundred bucks of GST would probably mean a net loss. Sad state of affairs yes, can it be fixed, probably not without breaking several other things.

Back to the OP...


I feel like the guy hung up the phone, thought 'this guy has the right attitude, is doing the right thing, and I'm gonna see to it that we don't fuck him around by way of thanks' and just fast-tracked ya. Probably false but that's what I hope happened.

I did not say that business has to go into overdraft just to pay customs gst. Its clear that so many that frequent this forum just have no idea whatsoever how the cards are increasingly stacked against small NZ businesses. Care to deny that?

How do we put up the minimum wage when business profits are getting increasingly squeezed? ( and Im not meaning BIG businesses )

[Erelyes]

What you also conveniently overlook is yes there is a gst money go round but the commercial operator has to have the funding in place to pay that gst in the first place, often by bank overdraft facilities


I did not say that business has to go into overdraft just to pay customs gst.

If that's not what you're saying, then I have no idea what you are saying, and will leave it there.

Edit: although on further consideration if you're saying that some businesses do have to go into overdraft to pay GST and others don't - then I argue that 'those that do' DON'T have to, because they can use common sense instead and avoid getting themselves in that situation.

[Robert Taylor]

If that's not what you're saying, then I have no idea what you are saying, and will leave it there.

Edit: although on further consideration if you're saying that some businesses do have to go into overdraft to pay GST and others don't - then I argue that 'those that do' DON'T have to, because they can use common sense instead and avoid getting themselves in that situation.

Suffice to say many will understand the core issue of what I am driving at, i.e there is not a level playing field and the Government is failing to collect a lot of gst. We all want services, somehow that has to be paid for.

[Madness]

Edit: although on further consideration if you're saying that some businesses do have to go into overdraft to pay GST and others don't - then I argue that 'those that do' DON'T have to, because they can use common sense instead and avoid getting themselves in that situation.

It's a pity all those unpaid Mainzeal subbies didn't know about this eh? That's an extreme example, of course, but a common reality of business in New Zealand. You'd know this already though, eh?

[jasonu]

Having a laugh at the "didnt have a clue what things are worth" comments by some,if they dont then what the fuck are they doing working there?.

I am pretty sure I could send a box of Titanium nuts and bolts worth $2000 to NZ, call it zinc plated nuts and bolts worth $50 and customs would be non the wiser to its actual value.

[Motig]

If you think that customs has the time to research the price of every item that is imported your dreaming and remember their not sitting at home waiting for that one package that was ordered last week theres 1000's every day.
I actually question the sanity of the thread starter- why, if you obviously import lots of bling for your bike would you start a thread complaining about customs not charging? Be careful what you wish for.

[FROSTY]

I buy from the USA ... generally that parts are 50% cheaper.
I also tell the bike shop what I can get the bits for and they have the opportunity to match the price.

Most of the time they don't, yea yea yea tell me all the shit about trying to run a business etc, don't wash with me.

Don't get me wrong I will support the local shop but if they are ripping me blind then no thanks.

example.. Kick stand for a dirt bike.. in NZ $94, landed from USA $48.. don't know about you but when I look in the shitter there is not heaps of used $100 notes
Sorry but that's the way life is now.

How many of you buy NZ made tee shirts?
You don't run a bike shop in NZ do you.?
$48 from the us so you were under the value for the 15% gst to be applied. The LBS even if they could source the part for you for the $48 would be forced to charge you 15% gst on that -pushing the price up to $55.
NZ supply chains are based on volume.
Ohh look I could go on all day to explain it to you.
But think about this -why are so many NZ bike dealers going bankrupt? Do you think its because they are robbing their customers blind?
NOW the NZ$ is just flying against the US -Crikey its not far off dollar for dollar. Wait and see how things look when the Us bounces back

[Robert Taylor]

You don't run a bike shop in NZ do you.?
$48 from the us so you were under the value for the 15% gst to be applied. The LBS even if they could source the part for you for the $48 would be forced to charge you 15% gst on that -pushing the price up to $55.
NZ supply chains are based on volume.
Ohh look I could go on all day to explain it to you.
But think about this -why are so many NZ bike dealers going bankrupt? Do you think its because they are robbing their customers blind?
NOW the NZ$ is just flying against the US -Crikey its not far off dollar for dollar. Wait and see how things look when the Us bounces back

Frosty if this guy (and others who loosely use that tired and simplistic old ''rip off '' cliche ) loses his job because the industry he is in gets severely undercut by US resellers ( and all the other factors he doesnt want to hear about ) then he really will have something to grizzle about. This is not only a motorcycle industry problem, unless I came down in the last shower?

[Digitdion]

Robert Taylor has a valid point. The question I have for Robert is with the super strong Nz dollar is why here in New Zealand we have not seen a reduction in price of imported Motorcycles and parts and accessories. Is this an example of the importer lining his pockets. High NZ exchange rate, Equals cheap imports does it not? That's how it should work ah?

[pzkpfw]

Matters not if they're motorcycle parts or sex toys. Still have to pay if the value of 'em is over $400.00.

Yeah, but even under $400 (yes, the belly pan and hugger were) you do get charged duty for clothes, which is what customs thought the items were.

http://www.whatsmyduty.org.nz/

(Technically it was GST+duty; but I wouldn't have been charged either if the Duty hadn't bumped the GST+Duty total over the minimum.)

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah, but even under $400 (yes, the belly pan and hugger were) you do get charged duty for clothes, which is what customs thought the items were.

http://www.whatsmyduty.org.nz/

(Technically it was GST+duty; but I wouldn't have been charged either if the Duty hadn't bumped the GST+Duty total over the minimum.)

Aye. Agreed 100%.

[FROSTY]

Robert Taylor has a valid point. The question I have for Robert is with the super strong Nz dollar is why here in New Zealand we have not seen a reduction in price of imported Motorcycles and parts and accessories. Is this an example of the importer lining his pockets. High NZ exchange rate, Equals cheap imports does it not? That's how it should work ah?
The dollar is strong NOW.But that kick stand used as the example I bet wasn't purchased in the last few months.
"New" bikes were purchased months ago. Wait a few months and see what happens with the new model releases.

[imdying]

The dollar is strong NOW.But that kick stand used as the example I bet wasn't purchased in the last few months.
"New" bikes were purchased months ago. Wait a few months and see what happens with the new model releases.This is the NZD vs USD history.

<img src="http://www.google.com/finance/chart?&q=CURRENCY:USDNZD&tkr=1&p=5Y&chst=vkc&chs=229x94&chsc=1" />

[Robert Taylor]

Robert Taylor has a valid point. The question I have for Robert is with the super strong Nz dollar is why here in New Zealand we have not seen a reduction in price of imported Motorcycles and parts and accessories. Is this an example of the importer lining his pockets. High NZ exchange rate, Equals cheap imports does it not? That's how it should work ah?

Frosty has answered one small part of the equation. The reality is many or most prices have come down. What we must all remember is that not everything is based against North Mexico dollars. If you go dredging through countless posts I have done on this subject you will find answers.
Im an importer and I can assure you its no walk in the park, working longer hours for smaller returns. Certainly I am not lining my pockets.

[imdying]

What we must all remember is that not everything is based against North Mexico dollars.Quite right, we should look at the Swedish Krona you buy Ohlins in:
<img src="http://www.google.com/finance/chart?&q=CURRENCY:SEKNZD&tkr=1&p=5Y&chst=vkc&chs=229x94&chsc=1" />

Of course GBP is worth seeing too...
<img src="http://www.google.com/finance/chart?biw=999&bih=944&q=CURRENCY:GBPNZD&tkr=1&p=5Y&chst=vkc&chs=229x94&chsc=1" />

[Robert Taylor]

Quite right, we should look at the Swedish Krona you buy Ohlins in:
<img src="http://www.google.com/finance/chart?&q=CURRENCY:SEKNZD&tkr=1&p=5Y&chst=vkc&chs=229x94&chsc=1" />

Of course GBP is worth seeing too...
<img src="http://www.google.com/finance/chart?biw=999&bih=944&q=CURRENCY:GBPNZD&tkr=1&p=5Y&chst=vkc&chs=229x94&chsc=1" />

Yes quite static over the last 18 months or so, certainty with pricing and indexed to the exchange rate.