Customs Rant

[Voltaire]

I've bought a Back and Chest Protector from Revzilla.
It took 4 days to get to NZ.
Been held by Customs for a week pending them getting off their arses and doing an invoice.
They have not notified me, only found out by ringing NZ Post.
I have no issues paying the GST, just get pissed off with there additional charges, slothfullness and
the latest ...a "convenience charge" by Wespac of $2.30 total of $118.00

What a cosy little deal the Govt and Westpac have going.

24% worth of additional costs.

Revzilla do a flat rate of $35 US ( $48.00)

Clearly to avoid all the services on offer probably best next time to split the order to avoid the $400 threshold

Beer opened,rant over.

[Jeff Sichoe]

Back and Chest protector are safety equipment not clothing so you shouldn't have to pay any duty?

[Jeff Sichoe]

https://www.whatsmyduty.org.nz/personal/duty-and-gst/whats-my-duty-estimator/

chuck in the $'s but select 'Sport -> Helmet (crash)' for an idea.

complain and get a refund from customs, thieving shits.

[Gremlin]

https://www.whatsmyduty.org.nz/personal/duty-and-gst/whats-my-duty-estimator/

chuck in the $'s but select 'Sport -> Helmet (crash)' for an idea.

complain and get a refund from customs, thieving shits.
a) there may not be any duty
b) good luck ever trying to get anything back. I fought Fedex once for 6 months when they took a package, doubled its value, then charged me on that value because they couldn't read the numbers on the parcel
c) when your goods go over the threshold, if they do pick you up, you don't just pay GST. You pay processing, clearance fees, tax on all that, then probably some credit card fees etc. I've had a $405 parcel cost about $100 more.

[eldog]

Clearly to avoid all the services on offer probably best next time to split the order to avoid the $400 threshold

Beer opened,rant over.

split the order, send them a week+ apart. Otherwise they will be added together, even if 2 separate parcels. Trust me I know.:bash:

generally I haven’t had a problem with getting notification.

you should check out the charges in shipping whole containers:whistle:

[jasonu]

split the order, send them a week+ apart. Otherwise they will be added together, even if 2 separate parcels. Trust me I know.:bash:

generally I haven’t had a problem with getting notification.

you should check out the charges in shipping whole containers:whistle:

or send one parcel to your mates house.

[Voltaire]

:niceone:

Yes, its not a Duty is just Customs tax/charge

I didn't know they would combine to packages

[F5 Dave]

I've often thought they need some competition to sharpen their game. Maybe sic the Commerce Commission on them for their monopoly?

That will open the path for alternative providers. Heck I might enter the market with cut rate gst charges and ask no questions, they tell no lies policy, but I get to steal anything cool that takes my fancy from time to time. A bit like an anti lottery. Will be in the fine print.

[pritch]

The retail industry here have been lobbying government to charge GST on everything to create "a level playing field". Custom's Parcels in Auckland can't even handle the volume of business they have now in n efficient manner. God help us if they had to charge GST on everything.

[Voltaire]

The retail industry here have been lobbying government to charge GST on everything to create "a level playing field". Custom's Parcels in Auckland can't even handle the volume of business they have now in n efficient manner. God help us if they had to charge GST on everything.

I get the impression from the phone call I made to Customs here that NZ Post do it for them?

I would not have an issue with paying GST on top of what ever tax I paid in the UK/US/EU if it did not attract more ticket clipping from Customs.
God.....he's overworked in the Middle East.

[Jeeper]

Clearance work is done by the brokers. Broker files the paperwork on behalf of the customer and Customs tell them what the charge is. Paperwork is not the responsibility of the Customs. You should ask NZ Post for the delay. But to be fair, NZ Post informs the customer that they have a choice to appoint any broker they like. You don't have to stick with NZ Post for clearance.

I normally get an email from the carrier, including NZ Post. A phone call with credit card details and everything is done. I import parts for my hobbies (mostly Jeeps), I am not a corporate customer.

[Jeeper]

A good supplier out of US or Europe, even Australia, can do tax free export. So no need to pay GST or VAT overseas.

[pritch]

I get the impression from the phone call I made to Customs here that NZ Post do it for them?

I would not have an issue with paying GST on top of what ever tax I paid in the UK/US/EU if it did not attract more ticket clipping from Customs.
God.....he's overworked in the Middle East.

I don't know what they are doing now, but it used to be that parcels were done on Post Office property that was staffed by both Customs and Post. Although waaay back I seem to recall it being done at Customs in Wellington.

Any regular Brit or Euro exporter will normally remove their local taxes - VAT etc.

Customs here charge you GST but they don't get to keep that money, it goes to the IRD. So Customs charge you for charging you GST then add GST to that charge too - so you get to pay GST on the charge they charged you for charging you GST.

Then there are other sundry charges which are not large but are annoying. Like the agricultural inspection, although in the normal run of events there won't be one.

And it is normal for the goods to spend less time getting to NZ than it takes to get through Customs. I've had email address and phone number put on the parcel but still they write. And they lie about the date the parcel arrived, it's like they don't know we are well aware of the arrival date from the tracking.

But we know all this so....

[Gremlin]

Never mind that, it can take 3 days to move between the airport and the East Tamaki processing area. Lets be generous and say it's an hour in bad traffic. I'd like to know if the truckie delivers his pallets, and says, nah, don't worry about those, I only loaded them today, so they can come off tomorrow. Yeah right.

I was urgently trying to track one parcel (hence being given the 3 days). CourierPost said you have to speak to NZ Post as it hasn't arrived for processing. NZ Post said it hadn't cleared the International Mail Centre, and they said it's left. When I pushed the IMC on what truck, no, they outsource their trucks.... to CourierPost. Welcome to the Auckland Triangle of parcel loss... It goes into a black hole for 3 days, but usually comes out the other side.

[Owl]

Clearly to avoid all the services on offer probably best next time to split the order to avoid the $400 threshold

It's not a $400 threshold, it's a $60 minimum collection. So with clothing duty at 10%, your threshold is lowered to $226 + 10% + GST = $59.89, whereas $227 + 10% + GST = $60.16 + $49.24 = total $109.40 to pay.

A freight component will of course affect those figures.

[jellywrestler]

I've often thought they need some competition to sharpen their game. Maybe sic the Commerce Commission on them for their monopoly?
.
can you explain to me why there is only one monopolies commision?

[FROSTY]

its easy--buy local-no more issues

[Voltaire]

its easy--buy local-no more issues

I went up to local lawnmower shop before Xmas to buy a new ignition coil.

" be here later in the week, I'll call you"

left $10 deposit and no call came.

Went in after Xmas and he could not find it.

Went in the other day and he still could not find it.

Briggsandstratton.com would have been about a week.

Buy local they say...

[Owl]

its easy--buy local-no more issues

Ha!
I can't even buy my work boots here in my size and have to import them from Oz.

[jasonu]

its easy--buy local-no more issues

Except for the higher prices, slow delivery and shit customer service.

[PistonBlown]

Personally I would just prefer GST always be charged at source (i.e. by the retailer abroad) just like it already is for things like software downloads etc.

Two reasons for this:

I am sick of NZ retailers pointing the finger at GST not being charged and saying that's why they can't compete. That's rubbish, 15% doesn't explain why goods here can be two or three times the price - even when you factor in shipping
It would stop Customs adding the extra admin charges etc, plus the delay it causes

[Gremlin]

its easy--buy local-no more issues

And when its not available locally? The vast majority of the stuff I bring in can't be bought here.

[Voltaire]

Got a reply from Customs

See they do care :msn-wink:


Thank you for your enquiry.



There may have been a delay in the producing of the Customs invoice due to multiple evacuations of the International Mail Centre in the past weeks.





Regards, Andrew Southgate

National Contact Centre

[eldog]

I went up to local lawnmower shop before Xmas to buy a new ignition coil.

" be here later in the week, I'll call you"

left $10 deposit and no call came.

Went in after Xmas and he could not find it.

Went in the other day and he still could not find it.

Briggsandstratton.com would have been about a week.

Buy local they say...

Shoulda brought a Honda:whistle:

[scumdog]

its easy--buy local-no more issues


Ignition part in Christchurch - $300:weep:

Same part ex-USA - $85 US dollars:crazy:

[george formby]

Ignition part in Christchurch - $300:weep:

Same part ex-USA - $85 US dollars:crazy:

Yup. OE Honda 2t exhaust seal ex Japan $6
Honda NZ....... $21

Delivery time. Same.

Summit whiffs.

[Jeeper]

Shoulda brought a Honda:whistle:How could he bring a Honda for repairs when he has a B&S engine?

[Jeeper]

Buying local would be workable if mark up wasn't so high.

[eldog]

How could he bring a Honda for repairs when he has a B&S engine?

If he brought a Honda, it wouldn’t need repairs:sunny:

apart from the rear flap that rusts out, replaced with stainless steel one:done:

[Jeeper]

If he brought a Honda, it wouldn’t need repairs:sunny:

apart from the rear flap that rusts out, replaced with stainless steel one:done:Bought vs brought... ;-)

[YellowDog]

I've bought a Back and Chest Protector from Revzilla.
It took 4 days to get to NZ.
Been held by Customs for a week pending them getting off their arses and doing an invoice.
They have not notified me, only found out by ringing NZ Post.
I have no issues paying the GST, just get pissed off with there additional charges, slothfullness and
the latest ...a "convenience charge" by Wespac of $2.30 total of $118.00

What a cosy little deal the Govt and Westpac have going.

24% worth of additional costs.

Revzilla do a flat rate of $35 US ( $48.00)

Clearly to avoid all the services on offer probably best next time to split the order to avoid the $400 threshold

Beer opened,rant over.

Yes, it is indeed a piss-take. I'm happy to pay GST too, but not the extras they load on, like it's an exception. Made that mistake once only in 2007. Now everything costs less than NZ$400 including shipping :yes:

[eldog]

Buying local would be workable if mark up wasn't so high.

Yes and a lot of things still go through intermediaries.
there is a lot of hidden costs as well as stocking, delivery etc etc we all forget about.

i still buy stuff from local merchants when it’s available.
but they seem to be stocking the cheaper brands not the more costly well built items.

it must be a real pita to be a spare parts seller, so little turn over.

[Jeeper]

Yes and a lot of things still go through intermediaries.
there is a lot of hidden costs as well as stocking, delivery etc etc we all forget about.

i still buy stuff from local merchants when it’s available.
but they seem to be stocking the cheaper brands not the more costly well built items.That is true, I get Mopar original parts from US. Local shops charge a premium for them because it's a novelty thing. Jeep filters and stuff are all Mopar from factory. $10 from US for Mopar oil filter. Locally, $40+ for a Repco or Fram. I just buy in bulk and save on freight.

[SpankMe]

All this does not bode well for the brake kit I ordered which arrived in NZ 4 days ago. I guess I'll see it in a week or two :( You'd think customs could at least have a tracking page you could check to see what stage its at with an ETA. That way I could see if its actually progressing.

[Voltaire]

Shoulda brought a Honda:whistle:

I had a brand new ryobi with a Subaru engine.... my Son borrowed it and I got a side valve B and S in exchange to fix.... the joys of parenting🙄

[Jeeper]

All this does not bode well for the brake kit I ordered which arrived in NZ 4 days ago. I guess I'll see it in a week or two :( You'd think customs could at least have a tracking page you could check to see what stage its at with an ETA. That way I could see if its actually progressing.Most carriers have tracking available. What mode is it traveling.

[SpankMe]

Most carriers have tracking available. What mode is it traveling.

The tracking just says its arrived in NZ. :confused:

[george formby]

Dunno if I'm just lucky or have stumbled on summit. I have had 3 orders from Japan in the last couple of years, my most recent being an FMF pipe with bits and bobs. Not an insignificant parcel or price but the cheapest of the 3.
All have been well over the customs threshold in value, minimum $650, see above. All orders have been placed on a Thursday or Friday and have been delivered on the following Monday or Tuesday by NZ post. No customs cost..

I'm wondering if customs run a skeleton crew at weekends..... :shifty:

Just a thought, I don't have many so you're all lucky I shared.

I filled in a customer survey from the pipe supplier and one of the questions was how much duty did I pay? Wonder where they are going with that?

[Kickaha]

I've bought a Back and Chest Protector from Revzilla.
Is there enough room under your leathers for them to fit?


I went up to local lawnmower shop before Xmas to buy a new ignition coil.

For the BMW, Ducati or Norton?

[Grumph]

I went up to local lawnmower shop before Xmas to buy a new ignition coil.



For the BMW, Ducati or Norton?

Dun't matter - would have been better than OE on all of them....

[Voltaire]

Is there enough room under your leathers for them to fit?

I can stop breathing for 4 laps.

For the BMW, Ducati or Norton?

They have flux capacitors

[Swoop]

Back and Chest protector are safety equipment not clothing so you shouldn't have to pay any duty?
There isn't any duty applicable on safety equipment. You will pay GST though.

And when its not available locally? The vast majority of the stuff I bring in can't be bought here.
Yup. Especially when the "official" importer of a product refuses to import one of their product lines, available in the rest of the world. I want to purchase items here in NZ. Another reason why I don't go along with whiney-arsed retailers bitching about internet sales.

[Voltaire]

Paid last Friday and still held at Customs..... several calls later....

Looks like I might be spectating at Pukekoke on the weekend :facepalm:

[Paulo]

useless bastards have had my rearsets held for 2 weeks now still waiting for them to send the fucking Letter by snail mail as that now how they do it now apparently
then I can pay them and they will release the parcel, been getting the run around big time.
fucking useless, it took no time getting them from the states and they are sitting in a pile in an Auckland warehouse while some fucker who couldn't even make it into the police force has a long lunch or something., we really are a third world country.

[Voltaire]

useless bastards have had my rearsets held for 2 weeks now still waiting for them to send the fucking Letter by snail mail as that now how they do it now apparently
then I can pay them and they will release the parcel, been getting the run around big time.
fucking useless, it took no time getting them from the states and they are sitting in a pile in an Auckland warehouse while some fucker who couldn't even make it into the police force has a long lunch or something., we really are a third world country.

Most excellent rant.
I got mine after many pleading calls and a trip out to the airport.
The letter arrived about 3 days later.
Letter....really....its 2018 not 1918.
Unfortunately you have to grin and bear it as there is no option.

Next time I do Revzilla I'll pay another $35 flat rate ( its a big box) just to avoid a: the charges and b: the Soviet Era service on offer.

Probably part of the cunning plan to get Public to say " yeah paying the GST at source would make it quicker"

[Paulo]

Most excellent rant.
I got mine after many pleading calls and a trip out to the airport.
The letter arrived about 3 days later.
Letter....really....its 2018 not 1918.
Unfortunately you have to grin and bear it as there is no option.

Next time I do Revzilla I'll pay another $35 flat rate ( its a big box) just to avoid a: the charges and b: the Soviet Era service on offer.

Probably part of the cunning plan to get Public to say " yeah paying the GST at source would make it quicker"

Yes I feel better now, The thing is the last time I paid for faster shipping the same thing happened (and I missed the rally I had wanted to go to because customs had my parts)

sigh ....

anyway I'm glad you got yours , I'm a bit far from the Auckland airport to annoy them in person

[jasonu]

useless bastards have had my rearsets held for 2 weeks now still waiting for them to send the fucking Letter by snail mail as that now how they do it now apparently
then I can pay them and they will release the parcel, been getting the run around big time.
fucking useless, it took no time getting them from the states and they are sitting in a pile in an Auckland warehouse while some fucker who couldn't even make it into the police force has a long lunch or something., we really are a third world country.

You should add this to the backwater shithole thread.

[Kickaha]

9 days from Holland to NZ, 14 days from Auckland to Chch

[Voltaire]

You should add this to the backwater shithole thread.

appears NZ needs to work harder to achieve that....

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/richest-happiest-healthiest-countries-world-new-zealand-norway-finland-switzerland-canada-travel-a8206711.html

[Paulo]

FFS rearsets finally arrived,
5 days from middle of nowhere America to Auckland
17 days from Auckland to Wellington
and the lovely Irony was the package was $6.95 over the $400 limit. :(

first world problem I know :mad:

[Danger Dave]

so far i'm 2 days from Aussie to Auckland and we are at 9 days and counting that it has been sitting in auckland with no contact :nono:

[Cosmik de Bris]

so far i'm 2 days from Aussie to Auckland and we are at 9 days and counting that it has been sitting in auckland with no contact :nono:

Yes, customs has certainly gone downhill lately. I wonder if it's just cost cutting with the number of staff? Imagine if they were to start charging GST on under $400 items.

Cheers

[F5 Dave]

Jacinda announces govt initiative to decrease unemployment by employing bulk more customs staff after amazon legislation. Of course the improvements are bigger of there is a hiring freeze for a year before.
Check back here in a year.

[malcy25]

Similar problem, purchASE SITTING SOMEWHERE DOING NOTHING.

ultimately it seems like NZ post who were swamped trough the clearance process. Not customs directly.

[Cosmik de Bris]

Similar problem, purchASE SITTING SOMEWHERE DOING NOTHING.

ultimately it seems like NZ post who were swamped trough the clearance process. Not customs directly.

Oh right, I guess I was blaming customs for the whole thing, maybe not entirely their failt.

Cheers

[Voltaire]

Oh right, I guess I was blaming customs for the whole thing, maybe not entirely their failt.

Cheers

Hmmmm..... finger pointing back and forth.

I gather parcel arrives, scanned then some paperwork has to go to Customs.

Rather than do it electronically they send you a letter which seems to take days.

If you ring them all up you can get your item a bit quicker, but why should you have to.

I'm happy to pay the GST just annoyed at all the ticket clipping and delays.

And as for Ebay Global Snail Shipping....

[Danger Dave]

I've tried calling both customs and NZ post and have got no where with either of them.

[Voltaire]

I've tried calling both customs and NZ post and have got no where with either of them.

Useful Phrases:

" Hi, my name is Danger Dave and I have a race meeting coming up in 5 days and I'm desperately trying to get some safety items cleared that I ordered some weeks prior to the event but unfortunately they appear to be in country but for reasons unknown are held up.
If I don't get them I will be unable to participate in the event. Is there anyone I can talk to who may be able to help me?"

I tried both as each was saying its the other.
Avoid urge to rant and that gets you no where.
I was lucky and the lady I spoke to followed up and made it happen.

[Conquiztador]

Try buying KTM bits from a KTM dealer...

In the past:
Day 1: I email my order
Day 2: I get a reply from dealer telling me KTM NZ does not have in stock, will be 14 days before my order will be here. Do I still want it? (This is 75% of times on items that has high turn over... If a low turn over item standard is 28 days). I used to say "yes, we need it for racing!"
Day 16 - 20 (30 - 34) I get email stating part is here.
Day 17 - 21 (31 - 32) I get part.

This is reason we run two bikes...

Today:
Day 1: I email a KTM dealer in US with my request, I have a reply inside 8 hours (often same hour)
Day 5: Part arrives at my address with courier.

And here the sugar at the bottom:
I now pay 1/2 price compared to before (often even less) total.

I lke to supportr local shops. But when it takes bread of my kids table I have to make a decision that is best for my family. (I also like that we can be back out racing the next w/e...)

Need to also mention that never has my bits got stuck at a courier/customs even if more than $400...

[Owl]

I email a KTM dealer in US with my request,

May I ask what dealer you use in the US?

[Cosmik de Bris]

I lke to supportr local shops. But when it takes bread of my kids table I have to make a decision that is best for my family. (I also like that we can be back out racing the next w/e...)

Need to also mention that never has my bits got stuck at a courier/customs even if more than $400...

I agree, I like to support local dealers too, but when their service is sub-standard and they charge twice as much I quickly lose my altruism. If the parts were in stock I might even be prepared to pay a little more. The retailers always justify high prices by saying we are are a small market, high overheads etc.

Cheers

[rastuscat]

I agree, I like to support local dealers too, but when their service is sub-standard and they charge twice as much I quickly lose my altruism. If the parts were in stock I might even be prepared to pay a little more. The retailers always justify high prices by saying we are are a small market, high overheads etc.

Cheers

I'm with you. Though it's not always the fault of the local retailers.

I had cause a few months back to contact a local bicycle retailer to ask if he could match an online price I had found. His response is that the manufacturer charged him more than the online retail price, so he recommended I buy online.

The fact that we consume feck all makes the supply chain slow and expensive.

[Hubris]

So what I gather from reading this thread is that my fork cartridges and rear shock with current status "Held for clearance" - probably aren't going anywhere soon :(