Customs taking it to me...

**Toast** · 9th June 2005, 16:00

Hey all,
has anyone here had experience importing stuff? I got sent an AGV Valentino special from the US for a mate. Customs jsut sent me a letter saying that I've gotta pay them $105 to get it though.

What's the deal? Can I get out of this?

**wildcat_lgf** · 9th June 2005, 16:07

Get them to be a little more specific about why you are being charged $105...is it for GST? duty? quarenteen?

GST is only payable for goods over $400, and duty is only payable if you intend to on-sell, or if its not a personal import.

Could be handling fees and quaranteen (bad spelling) but couldn't imagine why?

I recently imported a whole lot of leathers and customs were good about it...

(check the value they put on it when they sent it)

Get them to explain exactly why you need to pay the $105 then maybe we can help...good luck

**vifferman** · 9th June 2005, 16:12

According to their website, crash helmets attract 17% duty plus GST.

http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers...ms+Charges.htm

However (BUT!) I'd heard that FFM were no longer manufacturing helmets here, so the 17% duty was wiped.

**v.ros`** · 9th June 2005, 16:12

A helmet if im not mistaken... then i dont think u gotta pay any duty unless they put the value high...

I just bought two helmet from US and both of them without any charges from the customs...

**TwoSeven** · 9th June 2005, 16:15

Originally Posted by Toast

Hey all,
has anyone here had experience importing stuff? I got sent an AGV Valentino special from the US for a mate. Customs jsut sent me a letter saying that I've gotta pay them $105 to get it though.

What's the deal? Can I get out of this?

Nope. Phone em up and give em a credit card number - parcel turns up a couple of days later. Or get your "mate" to phone up and pay the charges.

They are just charging you gst on the goods so for $105 they've valued your lid at about $900 (probably off the value printed on the customs declaration).

**Biff** · 9th June 2005, 16:35

When I spoke with customs recently (I import 'stuff') I was told that everything to be imported incurrs GST. But I thought I'd read here recently that helmts are now exempt?! I suggest you ring the national customs helpline for advice: 0800 4 CUSTOMS (0800 428 786).

So, the deal I have with the people I buy the 'stuff' I import is that they state on the customs form that the goods have a value of $1 per item. As I import about 100 items at a time, well, do the maths youself.

What I actually pay is between myself and the person I buy my good from, and my accountant, Ms Biff.

No I don't import drugs, porn, animals or helmets before anyone asks. Or horny, stoned, animals wearing helmets for that matter.

**Slim** · 9th June 2005, 16:39

I brought a Shoei helmet from Aussie 10 years ago & had to pay customs the GST.

I buy books & DVDs from Amazon in the States all the time & never get charged anything. Go figure. Maybe that $400 value statement above is true? Check out the customs site and/or call them for further details.

**Ixion** · 9th June 2005, 16:41

Originally Posted by Biff

When I spoke with customs recently (I import 'stuff') I was told that everything to be imported incurrs GST. But I thought I'd read here recently that helmts are now exempt?! I suggest you ring the national customs helpline for advice: 0800 4 CUSTOMS (0800 428 786).

So, the deal I have with the people I buy the 'stuff' I import is that they state on the customs form that the goods have a value of $1 per item. As I import about 100 items at a time, well, do the maths youself.

What I actually pay is between myself and the person I buy my good from, and my accountant, Ms Biff.

No I don't import drugs, porn, animals or helmets before anyone asks. Or horny, stoned, animals wearing helmets for that matter.

Yes, everything that is a physical thing incurs GST. But as a matter of (their) convenience Customs won't bother to collect any amount of GST less than $50 - which is equivalent to $400. BUT - this concession only applies if there are no other duties. Any other duty at all and you cop the lot.

Other (obvious ) exemption is something that you took out of the country and are bringing back (ie your baggage). And up to $700 (I think) of personal type effects for your own personal use. Which MIGHT cover helmets - but not if it is for a mate.

If some expert says I'm wrong, believe them. I'm familiar with the rules for trade imports, but personal stuff is a bit different.

**Biff** · 9th June 2005, 16:44

Originally Posted by Slim

I brought a Shoei helmet from Aussie 10 years ago & had to pay customs the GST.

I buy books & DVDs from Amazon in the States all the time & never get charged anything. Go figure. Maybe that $400 value statement above is true? Check out the customs site and/or call them for further details.

Isn't there a bi-lateral trade agreement in place with Oz these days, relating to the payment, or should I say non-payment of GST?

I've bought loads of stuff from Oz over the last few months, some of it quite expensive, and I've never been hit with any additional charges.

**NhuanH** · 9th June 2005, 16:51

Originally Posted by wildcat_lgf

Get them to be a little more specific about why you are being charged $105...is it for GST? duty? quarenteen?

GST is only payable for goods over $400, and duty is only payable if you intend to on-sell, or if its not a personal import.

Could be handling fees and quaranteen (bad spelling) but couldn't imagine why?

I recently imported a whole lot of leathers and customs were good about it...

(check the value they put on it when they sent it)

Get them to explain exactly why you need to pay the $105 then maybe we can help...good luck

how far does that "personal stuff" argument work? Because the stupid customs brokers that handled my last internet purchase of riding gear hit me hard with duty and then GST on top of that. Amongst a few other balls-ups....

I never thought about declaring it was for personal use and not for on-selling (which was the case) because I didn't think that changed the cirumstances to avoid duty.

On that battle, I decided to retreat early and save my sanity rather than engage the wheels of bureaucracy in a running street battle....

<--- never a truer emoticon!

**HDTboy** · 9th June 2005, 16:57

I bought a set of pistons at $700US and got charged about $70 at customs, It still worked out heaps cheaper than buying the pistons here

**Toast** · 9th June 2005, 17:00

Just checked the statement again, and yeah, it's for GST.

Shit, shoulda told the cuz in US to declare it for less. Though, it was insured for US$600, so that may have screwed things up a little if it were declared for $1 or so.

I guess the helmet just got a touch more expensive.

Cheers all for your help.

**vifferman** · 9th June 2005, 17:03

Originally Posted by HDTboy

I bought a set of pistons at $700US and got charged about $70 at customs, It still worked out heaps cheaper than buying the pistons here

According to their web page, that would be GST only (no import durty).

Originally Posted by Biff

Isn't there a bi-lateral trade agreement in place with Oz these days, relating to the payment, or should I say non-payment of GST?

Not exactly. If you go there, and keep receipts, you can claim GST back at the airport when you leave (for some items). Dunno about imports etc.; I don't think Customs cares too much of the source of the item.

**Lou Girardin** · 9th June 2005, 17:23

Originally Posted by vifferman

According to their web page, that would be GST only (no import durty).

Not exactly. If you go there, and keep receipts, you can claim GST back at the airport when you leave (for some items). Dunno about imports etc.; I don't think Customs cares too much of the source of the item.

You can claim back GST in Aust on single invoices over $300.00AUD. That's how my darling wife got a ring AND earings in Port Douglas
Our Govt doesn't offer the same concession.