Importing gear from the USA?

[Aero165]

I'm looking at buying some gear from the states. Could anyone give me some links to some good websites? Thanks

[TerminalAddict]

http://newenough.com

[Cajun]

we use ebay, mostly a guy called Flying Brian.

We have brought tons of $$$ worth of gear, over past few years, never had an issue with customs/gst/duty or such, and often have gear from the USA, here with in 7 working days (don't understand, why it takes shops here 2 months for same thing)

[Aero165]

we use ebay, mostly a guy called Flying Brian.

We have brought tons of $$$ worth of gear, over past few years, never had an issue with customs/gst/duty or such, and often have gear from the USA, here with in 7 working days (don't understand, why it takes shops here 2 months for same thing)

Oh I'm so dumb! I bought all my MX gear from ebay. I didn't even think about it. Thanks for the help

[Sparky Bills]

(don't understand, why it takes shops here 2 months for same thing)


Because Shops order through nz wholesalers, and they dont do special one time orders. They wait and do one bulk order.
Its not the shops fault that it takes ages to get products.

[yachtie10]

Customs wont bother you if the value is under 400
but over that you may get GST plus brokerage fee
Just get the supplier to put a label on saying value under (nz $400)
and you should be OK (may muck up insurance if lost though)

[dickytoo]

if you do run into problems, a phone call to the nice people at customs may surprise you. they were very helpful in my case.

i bought a second hand tank from the US through ebay. plonker of a vendor puts the full (new) replacement cost for part on declaration form. he did this so he was covered if the item got lost. the result was that customs assessed me for an extra $150 duty/gst etc.

I rang up customs and sent them copies of the ebay auction including the actual amount i paid. they released my item without further ado and cancelled the duty/gst demand.

[LilSel]

Try google... :)

[YellowDog]

http://www.buyusa.co.nz will give you a US postal address, plus you save a packet on postage. It gets around the problem of some vendors not shipping abroad.

[civil]

Have you talked to Sam????

[ajc]

Customs will only charge Duty and GST when the combined amount of both exeeds $50. http://www.buyusa.co.nz FAQ page explains in more detail.
The value that customs use is the transaction value (what you paid) plus the freight charges. Customs may ask you provide evidence of the payment amount if they suspect the shipper has under declared the value on the customs declaration. Any used parts may also cause issue with MAF as well.
BuyUSA does not ship used parts for that reason.

[dickytoo]

in practice though you would be very unlucky to get hammered by customs. i have managed to get a spare set of zx10r wheels, a couple of fuel tanks, a swingarm and rear sub frame at different times and never been charged. the declared amount was always correct and i always asked the shippers to declare the parts as used motorcycle parts, which they were. i've even managed to get new bits in as well. i think that they have a threshold of around $700NZ before they start thinking about hitting you with duty etc.

[dickytoo]

Customs may ask you provide evidence of the payment amount if they suspect the shipper has under declared the value on the customs declaration.

good point though, which is why i've never asked the shippers to under declare.

[Pogo2]

Just get the supplier to put a label on saying value under (nz $400))[/QUOTE]

This is otherwise known as erroneous declarations and defrauding the revenue of customs. Slightly more expensive than paying any duty that maybe due, especially if you lose the goods as well.

[Squiggles]

Just pay the customs fees if you're going that way, dont bother undervaluing and so forth. I for some reason, didnt pay for a motor i brought in, even though the value after shipping exceeded $700. That was a month and a bit ago. I dont mind if they want there $100 though, its still a grand and a half cheaper than a high milage one here.

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

I had to get it seafreighted here, which meant i had to get clearance from both them and maf, maf charged $33 in all (including inspection).

If you're sea/airfreighting, do customs and maf yourself, the logistics company that recieved it on this side of transit wanted near to $400 to sort what i did in 30minutes for that $33

Lighter items can be sent in their mail, i had rearsets sent from the states, and was looking at a set of forks, $36US will get get you anything thats under 20 pounds (thats Priority Mail International Flate Rate, no insurance) via USPS (http://www.usps.com)

I'm an ebay user :whistle:

[rustys]

Have imported lots gear over the years, only got caught once with duty,when value of goods was over $400.00 US. Just imported a portable manual tire changer and bead breaker, we broke it down into two packages under the value of the $400.00 limit, ie; each package became a $200.00 package,total combined weight was 62lb,and delivered to door in 7 working days. I would'nt under value the goods though if you got found out it might be more of a hassel than its worth.
Been waiting for a parcel from Christchurch for 10 days, is it any wonder we are buying off shore.:rockon:

[Vapor]

After reading through the customs website, it appears that on their list of duty charges, Motorcycle parts are free of duty charges. Although it is obviously still liable for GST charges.

On the table down the page -
http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Private+Importers/Customs+Charges.htm#top7

[Dino]

Some good information there. :niceone:


Do you guys buy through e-bay and just make sure the seller will ship to NZ before you bid?

Does the BUYUSA address work well, as I have struck it in the past where shops over there will not ship to an address which is different from your credit card mailing address.

Thanks

[ajc]

Some good information there. :niceone:


Do you guys buy through e-bay and just make sure the seller will ship to NZ before you bid?

Does the BUYUSA address work well, as I have struck it in the past where shops over there will not ship to an address which is different from your credit card mailing address.

Thanks
The credit card address not matching can be a problem. One way around it is to use 3rd party payment methods like google checkout and paypal. look for stores that offer this.

[YellowDog]

I'm looking at buying some gear from the states. Could anyone give me some links to some good websites? Thanks
Some vendors will not ship to NZ. http://www.buyusa.co.nz give you a USA shipping address and then forward ship to you in NZ with other NZ buyers goods.

You need to look at the Ts&Cs to make sure they are not ripping you off on duty etc. I bought a helmet through these guys and saved a lot in shipping costs.

[Crowdog]

http://starcycle.com