Importing goods?

[Kflasher]

Hey guys any info on buying goods and bring them back into the country?

I will be buying a helmet in US and bringing it back to NZ, does anyone know if I will be landed with additional costs etc.

I believe I can bring in up to $700ish without any charges/ taxes.

Helmet cost approx. $350NZD in US and not on shelves here and est. cost in NZ will be around $750-$800 (and not until 2009) :eek5:

My time is limited on net so if you wanna PM me or normal broardcast, sweet as.

[Headbanger]

Anything over $400 can be grabbed and held until the appropriate tax is paid.

[Kflasher]

as in they will hold until i pay for the tax on it?

[alanzs]

Hey guys any info on buying goods and bring them back into the country?

I will be buying a helmet in US and bringing it back to NZ, does anyone know if I will be landed with additional costs etc.

I believe I can bring in up to $700ish without any charges/ taxes.

Helmet cost approx. $350NZD in US and not on shelves here and est. cost in NZ will be around $750-$800 (and not until 2009) :eek5:

My time is limited on net so if you wanna PM me or normal broardcast, sweet as.

I go there frequently. I'm going tomorrow as a matter of fact. Get the reciept to be cheaper on the item if it's really expensive. I have never been questioned as to what I am bringing back or why.
I have brought back helmets, gloves, tyres, radar detectors, lights, ipods and suitcases full of clothing for me and the family. It seems that as long as it's for personal use, I have never had a problem. Do declare it though on the customs form. Even IF you pay duty on it (which I have never had to do), it'll still be a hell of a lot cheaper than getting it here, in general. Don't worry. :calm:
Have fun, where you going?

[Kflasher]

I go there frequently. I'm going tomorrow as a matter of fact. Get the reciept to be cheaper on the item if it's really expensive. I have never been questioned as to what I am bringing back or why.
I have brought back helmets, gloves, tyres, radar detectors, lights, ipods and suitcases full of clothing for me and the family. It seems that as long as it's for personal use, I have never had a problem. Do declare it though on the customs form. Even IF you pay duty on it (which I have never had to do), it'll still be a hell of a lot cheaper than getting it here, in general. Don't worry. :calm:
Have fun, where you going?


Cheers dude, first time in US and I am/was a little worried how customs might react to me taking a helmet on board... hehe.

[James Deuce]

http://www.customs.govt.nz

It's all there. Don't listen to the bollocks that everyone spreads about duty and GST. Motorcycle gear for personal use, including helmets is exempt duty. If they don't like the way you look at them you'll get to pay GST, so be polite. Most stuff is SUPPOSED to attract GST, but if you have a go at the Customs people they may also chose to charge an Import Entry Transaction Fee of $28.75.

[alanzs]

http://www.customs.govt.nz

It's all there. Don't listen to the bollocks that everyone spreads about duty and GST. Motorcycle gear for personal use, including helmets is exempt duty. If they don't like the way you look at them you'll get to pay GST, so be polite. Most stuff is SUPPOSED to attract GST, but if you have a go at the Customs people they may also chose to charge an Import Entry Transaction Fee of $28.75.

Exactly. Smile and always be polite. Answer the questions they ask as politely as possible. Every question they ask, while it may seem informal to you, is not. They have a job and some take it really seriously. Don't joke around, don't give them more information than they ask. They are not looking to bust you for anything, but they are looking for people who are trying to smuggle in goods illegally. That is not you. This is especially true when entering the US. All that said, don't worry, relax, have fun and go shopping and get some amazing bargains. You're gonna love the stuff you can buy there for a fraction of the cost here. :eek:

[TLMAN]

Cheers dude, first time in US and I am/was a little worried how customs might react to me taking a helmet on board... hehe.

Just wear it:doh:

[alanzs]

Cheers dude, first time in US and I am/was a little worried how customs might react to me taking a helmet on board... hehe.

To break in your helmet wear it everywhere you go. They especially love it when you go into the bank and when you are waiting in line at the airport. You'll get the best service imaginable. Trust me on this one! :niceone:

[Stromble]

Cant you just take it as hand luggage?, get rid of the box, and tell customs its your own helmet that you took cos you were hiring a bike in the states?

[alanzs]

Cant you just take it as hand luggage?, get rid of the box, and tell customs its your own helmet that you took cos you were hiring a bike in the states?

Hand luggage is the way to go. Just take it out of the box, put it in the cloth bag they usually come with (just so it won't get scratched) and don't sweat it. Never had a problem.

Bringing tyres was a little more challenging, but I just cable tied them together, put a luggage tag on them and there was no problem. Checked them in as luggage. I also saved over $250 buying them in the US, as opposed to here. :msn-wink:

[TLDV8]

About the only problem might be (if it was checked) a standards sticker. ?
In saying that i have a Arai XD3 on the way from the US which will not have a AS sticker (DOT) but the AUS$899 cost here verses AUS$472 for the same helmet from the US was the decider.

[cs363]

Just regarding helmets from the US, you should be aware of this (cut & pasted from 'what helmet is best thread):

" http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/road-user-sa...g-helmets.html
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regul...DLM303630.html
You will note that DOT approved helmets are only legal if manufactured AND purchased in the USA, so for instance the AGV Stealth mentioned above is technically illegal for road use in this country, whereas a Simpson would be legal. Not saying the helmet is unsafe as such, but approved to a different standard than most local market helmets and more importantly not legal. I haven't seen an MNZ rule book for a couple of years now but I would imagine they are still basing their helmet rulings on what LTSA considers legal to import into NZ. "

Whether this worries you or not is up to you, but it does pay to be informed. I guess this could have an effect regarding ACC or insurance if you are involved in an accident, and regardless - you are breaking the law. This only applies to DOT/FMVSS helmets, Snell 2000 and higher are fine.
Hand luggage is definitely the go for helmets, and gear is ok if you remove the packaging/tags etc and as someone said just say you used it in the US.
Helmets aren't dutiable, neither are race suits or textile gear with armour. Leather jackets & pants are dutiable however supposedly to protect the local industry (which amounts to one manufacturer making outdated gear...)
As long as you don't go crazy you probably won't need to declare, but if you have any doubts just declare it, worst case is you'll get charged GST but half the time they just tell you to carry on through.
Make sure everything fits and has no faults before you buy as warranty/sizing issues are hard to fix when you get back home.

Spend some of the money you save at your local dealer when you get back home, because the local industry supports your sport and local riders etc. Most of the reason we pay higher prices here has more to do with the government than any profiteering by local businesses.

[TLDV8]

I can not remember what it looked like on NZ helmets but here in Australia they simply apply this decal to a rest of the world helmet.
I thought back home it might be ASNZ rated.


<img src= http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/manurewa/DSC07542Medium.jpg>

[cs363]

From what I understand from mates in the industry over there, the 'powers that be' are even more anal about helmet imports that we used to be over here. I think you can only have AS approved helmets imported into Aussie - though I'm not sure what the deal is on private/personal imports is. Might be worth doing some homework on :)

[Renegade]

I ordered one from the UK over the net and it cost me $350nz and it got delivered straight tomy door step with no extra fees etc.

[cs363]

I ordered one from the UK over the net and it cost me $350nz and it got delivered straight tomy door step with no extra fees etc.

That's the issue the shops/importers etc have....private imports are hit and miss as to whether Customs intercepts them and charges you all the appropriate $$. Whereas all the businesses have to comply with all the Customs, IRD etc rules and charges.
Its great on a personal level when you can have a 'win' like yours but it sucks that businesses have to pay all these charges on the same products - not exactly a level playing field. Especially when the unenlightened turn round and accuse shops of profiteering.
It's like the fuel price thing - everyone slags the fuel companies for making all this money and forget that the government take a HUGE slice of every dollar you spend at the pumps with taxes on taxes on taxes.

[Tumbles]

PM Pogo2. He works for customs and should be able to hook you up from the horse's mouth.

[alanzs]

Spend some of the money you save at your local dealer when you get back home, because the local industry supports your sport and local riders etc. Most of the reason we pay higher prices here has more to do with the government than any profiteering by local businesses.

I agree wholeheartedly that buying from a local merchant is generally the best thing to do. I just happen to go to the US frequently, so for some purchases, I buy there, but almost everything else, out of necessity, I buy here.

I purchased an Aerostich riding suit on a trip back to the US because there is nothing I have found here of the same quality available, at any cost, anywhere. I also purchased a pair of boots a while ago in LA and they were $89US. Here, where I could find them (one shop in Auckland and not my size and they said it would take a month to get, if they could get it at all), the exact same boots were $320 NZ. OUCH!

What is hard to justify is buying a book at Whitcoulls and it costs $40NZ when I can buy it on www.amazon.com for $12US. Even with shipping and currency exchange, I still end up paying $25 NZ. Sorry Whitcoulls.

I understand why prices are so high here; economies of scale, increased taxation, less competition, but money is money and my money tree isn't bearing fruit these days. :shit:

[alanzs]

Especially when the unenlightened turn round and accuse shops of profiteering.

I have nothing against businesses making a profit at all. I don't work for free and either do they.

I will go to the businesses that provide a better quality of service, even if the price is higher than other local shops for the same item, within reason.

The relationship is important to me. I bought some tyres a while ago from a local Honda shop, even though the price was higher than a place across town as they have always treated me extremely well and they are really great folks. I hope they continue in business and prosper.

I've heard good things about Quasi's stuff and if I need what he sells, I'd go there first. Seeing him post the stuff he does about trying to help the customer is what "customer service" is all about. :hug:

[cs363]

Well said alanzs - I hope you don't think I was having a go at you on those points, just trying to make the point that the grass isn't neccessarily greener when buying overseas.
NZ has certainly suffered a number of rip-off merchants in the motorcycle trade over the years but most of that was back in the 70's & 80's (and probably earlier as well!). I think that the majority of people in the industry now do it because they enjoy motorcycling and the people involved in the sport. If you wanted to make oodles of cash there are far better businesses to be in!
I just get a bit pissed off with all the comments about this and that being cheaper here and there and the attitude that some people seem to have towards the local industry, when most of these people are just trying to provide a service and make an honest buck.

As I said earlier, the real pricks thrusting their hands into the far reaches of our pockets are the government.

[sefer]

Basically anything you import is meant to have GST charged on it, but anything that works out to under $50 worth isn't collected (so as mentioned, around NZ$400 including shipping). With anything over that amount it'll be hit and miss as to whether you get charged on it if you send it normal post, if just comes down to whether they happen to check your package or not (and what's noted as the value on the customs declaration will affect this a bit too). No duty on helmets, so that's a non-issue.

Note that if you get it sent by a courier (DHL etc) you WILL get charged the gst if it's over the limit (as declared), as they act as an agent for customs and collect the cash.

[Forest]

Basically anything you import is meant to have GST charged on it, but anything that works out to under $50 worth isn't collected (so as mentioned, around NZ$400 including shipping). With anything over that amount it'll be hit and miss as to whether you get charged on it if you send it normal post, if just comes down to whether they happen to check your package or not (and what's noted as the value on the customs declaration will affect this a bit too). No duty on helmets, so that's a non-issue.


This is true for imports.

Though if you are travelling overseas and bring back goods which are purchased offshore, you can carry up to $700 worth of goods without penalty.

http://www.customs.govt.nz/travellers/Arriving+in+New+Zealand/Allowances/Other+Accompanied+Goods.htm

However if you acquire goods overseas for personal use and there is no intent to sell them in NZ, then you can bring through any reasonable quantity with no penalty.

http://www.customs.govt.nz/travellers/Arriving+in+New+Zealand/Allowances/Personal+Effects.htm

[Kflasher]

Hey guys thanks for all the good info, much appreciated :).
Feel a lot better about buying some gear.
Will post some of my goodies when I return... till then :Punk:

[alanzs]

Well said alanzs - I hope you don't think I was having a go at you on those points, just trying to make the point that the grass isn't neccessarily greener when buying overseas.
NZ has certainly suffered a number of rip-off merchants in the motorcycle trade over the years but most of that was back in the 70's & 80's (and probably earlier as well!). I think that the majority of people in the industry now do it because they enjoy motorcycling and the people involved in the sport. If you wanted to make oodles of cash there are far better businesses to be in!
I just get a bit pissed off with all the comments about this and that being cheaper here and there and the attitude that some people seem to have towards the local industry, when most of these people are just trying to provide a service and make an honest buck.

As I said earlier, the real pricks thrusting their hands into the far reaches of our pockets are the government.

I didn't take anything you said as a poke at me. I've been in the business world a long time and know that it's about making a profit. If a business doesn't make a profit, they eventually cease to operate. The market, the great equalizer, usually sorts out the rip off's and they go away.
When it comes to getting my bike serviced, I want the EXPERTS to do it and will pay what it costs. My life depends on their knowledge and skill. Like going to the doctor. When my life is on the line, I want the best and will pay for it. Toilet paper, well, that's different, I go for the lowest price I can find... :cool:

[cs363]

I didn't take anything you said as a poke at me. I've been in the business world a long time and know that it's about making a profit. If a business doesn't make a profit, they eventually cease to operate. The market, the great equalizer, usually sorts out the rip off's and they go away.
When it comes to getting my bike serviced, I want the EXPERTS to do it and will pay what it costs. My life depends on their knowledge and skill. Like going to the doctor. When my life is on the line, I want the best and will pay for it. Toilet paper, well, that's different, I go for the lowest price I can find... :cool:


Glad to hear it :)
Pretty good summation of the saying 'Caveat Emptor' in your post, shame more people don't see the big picture like you obviously do. There seems to be an underlying feeling in NZ from a lot of people that any business that makes a profit is somehow ripping them off.
You know there are some quite nice toilet papers in the higher price ranges....so soft and comforting... :laugh: