Customs duties on leathers??

[Geeman]

Well, after months of saving I am about to order some leathers from Tiger Angel in Australia and was checking on customs duties and GST on the customs website - if leathers are classified as apparel I'm going to be paying over $500 duties and GST on $1800 leathers - does anyone else think that's daylight robbery????

Any chance that they might be considered safety gear rather than apparell?

[Usarka]

I think the law says that motorcycle safety apparel is duty free, but it needs armour in shoulders and elbows to be classified as such.

could be wrong, happy to be corrected....

[James Deuce]

http://www.customs.govt.nz

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

Tyres helmets and parts are exempt. I would be surprised if you were charged for Leathers. You may also be exempt GST.

I've checked the prohibitions as well and there is no prohibition on importing treated leather.

I know where you are going with the "rip off" comment. but I think you should think very carefully about why the charges are there.

Your best bet is to ring up and ask. You may be surprised to hear it but Customs, MAF and Immigration are actually staffed by humans who will go the extra mile for you if you are polite. I've seen people just rip Customs receptionists to bits and then wonder why the uniformed guy comes up with a whole bunch of extra charges and then starts investigating other imports they've made and retrospectively charges people for things they weren't charged for at the time.

[slimjim]

fuck yea however i could be wrong , but if you fly over there , pick them and while coming back through the aussie custom's i think you can get a rebate on the gst tax docket that you would recieve when you pay for your leather's, as well you having your leather's as personal luagge in a carry bag no kiwi tax , christ for $500 buck's plus frieght, plus a saving of rebate in auss is a cheap airticket cheaper ?

[LukeChCh]

If you bring it in by post, you will have to pay the GST for sure (anything over $300 from memory). Customs duty would depend on how the class it - you are right that apparall has a 15% duty, so that would hurt. I think you could class it as safety gear - but I cant see that being exempt on the web site.

If you go over, pick it up in OZ and bring it back there is no GST in NZ (since it's a personal use item their is just a "reasonable limit" policy - I often bring back $1000s of clothes from China in a big shop up and they never blink an eye). Also no duty. PLUS you can get the GST back on the OZ side of the purchase (you do this at the airport in OZ).

So maybe worth a flight?



Richard


http://www.customs.govt.nz

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

Tyres helmets and parts are exempt. I would be surprised if you were charged for Leathers. You may also be exempt GST.

I've checked the prohibitions as well and there is no prohibition on importing treated leather.

I know where you are going with the "rip off" comment. but I think you should think very carefully about why the charges are there.

Your best bet is to ring up and ask. You may be surprised to hear it but Customs, MAF and Immigration are actually staffed by humans who will go the extra mile for you if you are polite. I've seen people just rip Customs receptionists to bits and then wonder why the uniformed guy comes up with a whole bunch of extra charges and then starts investigating other imports they've made and retrospectively charges people for things they weren't charged for at the time.

[James Deuce]

The site doesn't list all the exemptions. I speak from both experience and working closely with Customs.

But of course actual experience and knowing people means nothing on KB.

[Quasievil]

Well, after months of saving I am about to order some leathers from Tiger Angel in Australia and was checking on customs duties and GST on the customs website - if leathers are classified as apparel I'm going to be paying over $500 duties and GST on $1800 leathers - does anyone else think that's daylight robbery????

Any chance that they might be considered safety gear rather than apparell?

No Duties on imports from Aussy, CER agreement. GST is only 12.5% if they post it you will likely get away with it.

[Geeman]

Thank you everyone for your replies - I do know that politeness goes a long way as I deal with the Courts every day - be nice to the gatekeeper...

I did think about flying over there as if I had to pay duty and GST it would seem cost effective.

Anyway, gonna order away and see what happens.

thanks again for your suggestions/experiences.

[sefer]

As said, no duty, but 12.5% gst on anything over $400 (nz, including shipping). However you will likely get away with it if posted through regular post, really it comes down to whether they happen to check it or not.

BUT

if you get it sent through any courier type company (DSL etc) you will defiantly be charged the gst as they act as agents and collect it.

[breakaway]

How come helmets etc are excluded from GST?

[YellowDog]

Under $400 = No GST.

Helmets are safty gear.

[YellowDog]

You can get hand made, tailored to fit, armoured, kiwi leather, leathers for around $1500. You don't need to import from AUS?

[Quasievil]

You can get hand made, tailored to fit, armoured, kiwi leather, leathers for around $1500. You don't need to import from AUS?

What Like QUASiMOTO Leathers ??:yes:

[YellowDog]

What Like QUASiMOTO Leathers ??:yes:
OK - Fair comment.

I'm not really comparing like with like.

[sefer]

How come helmets etc are excluded from GST?

They're not. Duty free yes. GST free no. Everything in New Zealand has GST added, they simply don't collect any GST under $50 on privately imported products.

[heyjoe]

Some very useful info here guys. Thanks.

[Swoop]

Under $400 = No GST.

Helmets are safty gear.
Dosen't matter. Safety gear still attracts GST. I import an electronic safety device and get hit with gst.

[goodguy8]

Dosen't matter. Safety gear still attracts GST. I import an electronic safety device and get hit with gst.

I am an ex-Customs officer(quit coz i got bored saying 'Welcome to New Zealand to ppl hu cudnt speak a word of english:Playnice:.. not being rude,just stating a fact).. With Customs, :spanking: have loopholes in the system, you actually can get around duty and gst no matter wat ure bringing.:devil2:. legal stuff i meant..:doctor:

[Ripperjon]

I got charged duty on my helmet, despite it being listed as exempt on the customs website.
It was sent in a box with my jacket, gloves, jeans and riding shoes but they were all listed individually on the invoice customs sent me.
That sucked a bit.

And, i'm not going to tar everyone with the same brush, but...

Both times i've dealt with customs i have had the misfortune to talk to the two most miserable, rude assholes ever:Pokey:

[HornetBoy]

Have imported in a few items of motorbike gear (helmet,joe rocket leather jacket,boot and gloves.) and never been hit with gst or any additional costs :niceone: must just be lucky i guess

my jacket i got in was about $750 nz still no additional costs ....

[JimBob]

As said, no duty, but 12.5% gst on anything over $400 (nz, including shipping). However you will likely get away with it if posted through regular post, really it comes down to whether they happen to check it or not.

BUT

if you get it sent through any courier type company (DSL etc) you will defiantly be charged the gst as they act as agents and collect it.

pretty much EVERYTHING is liable for gst irrespective of value, BUT customs has discretion as whether they charge it or not. GENERALLY speaking they dont bother if the gst is $50 or less. They quite often dont charge gst on one off expensive imports, eg your leathers, but bring two sets in and you will probably get walloped.
It doesnt matter how you get it sent in. The courier companies and the post office only act as agents if customs decide to charge gst or duty. You can save the brokerage fees by sorting it yourself but usually not worth the trouble.
Has anyone advised you to do the really tricky thing guaranteed to fool customs? ask the seller to make an invoice for $100. Customs have never seen this trick before. They fall for it everytime.

[YellowDog]

I can't believe that. Sounds like negative propaganda to stop you importing!

[Renegade]

interesting, i just ordered a caberg v2r helmet from the UK, $355 NZ, hope i dont get stung cos that will suck, guess ill wait and see.