Import Duty on a new lid?

[Bytor]

Do I have to pay import duty/gst if i buy a helmet from the states?

Seen a Blue Graphic Suomy Ventura for $149.95 USD with a shipping cost of $60 USD working out at roughly $310 NZD. Cycletreads sell the plain one's for $450. Reckon I could try it on here and if all is ok then order it from Uncle Sam whilst saving a bit of dough - unless I have to pay duty on it.

Anyone done this b4?

[The_Dover]

you'll pay gst I think but as it is safety equipment there should be no import duty.

check the customs website.

[Cajun]

wife has imported two helmets one shoei and one suomy and never been stung by gst or duty.

She needs xs so its like a 3 month wait to get one in nz, the landed a suomy race rep helmet(hodgson) + mirror visor for NZ$500(landed) the same helmet here alone sells for $1000.

If possible see if they can put the customs declration for alot lower than what you paided eg US$50

eg 1 shipment we sent across was for helmet, two piece alpine star suit, joe rocket gortex jacket, and joe rocket gloves.
No duty was worth in range of about US$800 worth of kit

[Bytor]

wife has imported two helmets one shoei and one suomy and never been stung by gst or duty.

She needs xs so its like a 3 month wait to get one in nz, the landed a suomy race rep helmet(hodgson) + mirror visor for NZ$500(landed) the same helmet here alone sells for $1000.

If possible see if they can put the customs duty for alot lower than what you paided eg US$50

Where did she get them from?

[Bytor]

Checked customs site and don't pay any duty on helmets just GST!

[Cajun]

ebay - dude called flyingBrian
http://stores.ebay.com/Flyin-Brians-Deals_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm

[Swoop]

With that price you probably will not pay GST on it. I believe there is a threshold that has to be broken (around $700nz?) before customs will start charging.

[Titanium]

Just the GST if the GST value is $50.00 or more .....

Imported a Schuberth from Germany and got pinged the GST.

You might squeek in at around $42.00 GST .....

[Spyked]

You will not get stung for gst with a landed value of NZ$310.
$400 is usually the price point that Customs work at, although depending on the Customs Officer you may get away with quite a lot more.

[Fatjim]

When importing the threshold is $400. You are liable (but necessarily likely) to be charged GST.

If you bring it in yourself they don't as a RULE start collecting GST until the amount owed is $50. This means a value of $700 before GST.

Got it?

[MotoGirl]

wife has imported two helmets one shoei and one suomy and never been stung by gst or duty... eg 1 shipment we sent across was for helmet, two piece alpine star suit, joe rocket gortex jacket, and joe rocket gloves.
I am "wife"... I spent $800 (USD) and never got stung for GST. The guy who posted it said it was a helmet $25, jacket $10, and suit $50!!!
If you buy anything from overseas, make sure you measure your head to get the correct fit. You'll notice a small here might be slightly different to a small in the states.

[Cajun]

I am "wife"... I spent $800 (USD) and never got stung for GST. The guy who posted it said it was a helmet $25, jacket $10, and suit $50!!!
If you buy anything from overseas, make sure you measure your head to get the correct fit. You'll notice a small here might be slightly different to a small in the states.

pfffttt get back to work woman

[Bartman10]

Depends on the customs officer.

Didn't pay duty on my leathers but did pay GST

Bought in a Mac iBook in worth about $3200 and didn't pay GST or Duty.

All depends on who processes your stuff..

Normally they won't charge if the total tax bill (GST + duty) is under $50. If you start brining in more than one helmet you'll probably get stung.


NZ bike shops and importers sometimes charge a lot so it can be worthwhile importing stuff. Other times it's not worth the hassle. I'd be a bit wary about a helmet because it's possible that it will get damaged in transit.


Good luck!

[DonaldH]

Do I have to pay import duty/gst if i buy a helmet from the states?

Seen a Blue Graphic Suomy Ventura for $149.95 USD with a shipping cost of $60 USD working out at roughly $310 NZD. Cycletreads sell the plain one's for $450. Reckon I could try it on here and if all is ok then order it from Uncle Sam whilst saving a bit of dough - unless I have to pay duty on it.

Anyone done this b4?
Used Chicagoperformance on EBay moters. Good guy and sent the goods marked as a "present". No import tax or GST.

[Bytor]

thanx for the replies. It was just interesting seeing the price differences and variety of choice that you get in the states and UK. To be fair if you pay full retail then add shipping then there's not much in it for a top line lid, but the advantage of the states and UK is the Sales/Clearance sections with last years colour schemes etc - then you can save a bundle. There's also (due to the larger markets) more of a range in products and price levels rather than the cheap/expensive divide that we seem to have in NZ. Sure there are a few mid range lids, but I've already got an HJC AC-11 that is now too big and would be seen as a mid range helmet, but top end HJC. That leaves Arai and Shoei which are too expensive for me, Sharks and AGV don't fit me, so that leaves Suomy which are still too expensive here but cheaper overseas.

[MotoGirl]

If you're buying online, don't forget to ask for a discount and SHOP AROUND! I found my Alpinestars suit listed with another seller, went back to the guy I normally deal with an he reduced it $120 US to match! I get at least $30 off everything I buy just by asking for discount...

[Bytor]

If you buy anything from overseas, make sure you measure your head to get the correct fit. You'll notice a small here might be slightly different to a small in the states.

Eh? surely a small is a small or a large 58-60cm is the same in the USA or NZ :scratch: Or do the factory's use different thickness inserts to 'adjust' the sizing for the various markets?

[dawnrazor]

Eh? surely a small is a small or a large 58-60cm is the same in the USA or NZ :scratch: Or do the factory's use different thickness inserts to 'adjust' the sizing for the various markets?

believe it or not but some helmet manufactures (Shoei and Arai for sure) make helmets not only for different sized heads (S-L etc.) but also different shaped heads. So a japanese medium in japan will have a different fit to an european medium in europe. I have this on first hand experience from a bloke who worked at colemans, who worked in Toyko and never used a Shoei, 'cus they never gave him a comfortable fit, he tried one on in Toyko and what do ya know, perfect fit. When he arrived here he tried on the same helmet in the shop and it was a different shape.

Its kinda a round head V's pointy head thing LOL

[simonnn]

Cycletreadsn have better prices than that.
I was in there on the weekend and they have some keen deals on Suomy.
No need to import when you can buy at home and get backup.

[Lou Girardin]

you'll pay gst I think but as it is safety equipment there should be no import duty.

check the customs website.

Helmets are not classed as safety equipment by customs. As we've discovered.

[dawnrazor]

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

you can see from the customs list above that crash helmets are not subject to duty, they make no such dispensation for motorcycle safety clothing though...bastards

[popelli]

With that price you probably will not pay GST on it. I believe there is a threshold that has to be broken (around $700nz?) before customs will start charging.


it is around $240, it used to be $300 but when the GST went up from 10% to 12.5% they lowered the threshold

the $240 includes freight / postage etc

[Forest]

When importing the threshold is $400. You are liable (but necessarily likely) to be charged GST.

If you bring it in yourself they don't as a RULE start collecting GST until the amount owed is $50. This means a value of $700 before GST.

Got it?

You're right about $50 being the collection threshold.

But $50 is 12.5% of $400. This means that (provided no other duties are owing) the duty-free threshold is $400 before GST (not $700).

------------------------------

One other thing to watch (if you're importing privately) is that the postage cost gets added to the value of the import when they do the tax calculations. If the sum exceeds $400 then you will have to pay GST on the total cost. This catches a lot of people out.

[Russty]

When importing the threshold is $400. You are liable (but necessarily likely) to be charged GST.

If you bring it in yourself they don't as a RULE start collecting GST until the amount owed is $50. This means a value of $700 before GST.

Got it?

What he said. If it comes by post or courier, the threshold for GST payment is NZD400.

If the goods accompany you through the arrival process (i.e. the goods are in your checked or carryon luggage) the threshold is $700.

[WINJA]

you'll pay gst I think but as it is safety equipment there should be no import duty.

check the customs website.

FFM HAVE BEEN FUCKING IT UP FOR US FOR AGES ,AS LONG AS THE CONTINUE TO PRETEND TO MAKE HELMETS IMPORTED HELMETS HAVE A %30 DUTY , ACTUALLY ARE FFM HELMETS STILL AROUND , GOD THEY WERE FUCKEN SHIT HELMETS

[slowpoke]

That leaves Arai and Shoei which are too expensive for me, Sharks and AGV don't fit me, so that leaves Suomy which are still too expensive here but cheaper overseas.

Something to think about: if you import a helmet from overseas does it have the relevant New Zealand Standard sticker affixed. I'd hate for someone to be brain injured in a crash and have their ACC compromised by a helmet that wasn't appropriately marked.

Isn't it funny how we'll usually stretch our budgets waaaay beyond what we'd originally planned to spend on a bike, buying yoshie this, ohlins that, tinted screens etc etc but when it comes to safety gear (even blingy stuff like helmets) we'll scrimp and scrape to save money. No offense meant Bytor, we've pretty much all done it at some stage.

[k14]

Do whatever possible to get the sender to write a value that equates to less than $400NZD. Having spent approx 5 hours on the phone over the last 3 days trying to sort out some bike bits that came in from Japan you want to avoid having to deal with customs at all costs. There are alot of incompetent people out there who don't give a rats arse about helping you.

If however you do end up getting caught by customs, flick me a PM. I have a bit of experience now so might be able to lend you a hand.

[Bytor]

If however you do end up getting caught by customs, flick me a PM. I have a bit of experience now so might be able to lend you a hand.

Cheers for the offer, but as of last night I'm now the owner of a Shoei Raid2 - just couldn't be assed with all the fuckin around with overseas stuff. Ended up paying retail but got a dark visor thrown in free!!

[Bytor]

Isn't it funny how we'll usually stretch our budgets waaaay beyond what we'd originally planned to spend on a bike, buying yoshie this, ohlins that, tinted screens etc etc but when it comes to safety gear (even blingy stuff like helmets) we'll scrimp and scrape to save money. No offense meant Bytor, we've pretty much all done it at some stage.

Non taken Slowie - got myself a Shoei from Motomail - Lou's goin to kill me - guess the bike 'bling' will just have to wait.

[Big Dog]

NZ has some funny standards re helmets.
I am after a american 66 or a european 67 or 68.
My current 65 was the biggest I could source. It's a bit small for the long rides.
the american is up to 2 cm smaller requirement depending on the make because the american shells have a bigger jaw.

Even approaching importers, or bike shops that are already placing a shipment they cannot get a 66a landed.

I am looking again because, much to my glee yet another helmet is nearing the end of its life cycle undamaged. Had it 25 months today. If I find the right helmet anytime in the next 18 months if I don't have the cash it will be going on layby, no matter the cost.
No such thing as too much money for a well fitting egg basket.