How often do people get stung with GST?

[jaymzw]

Out of interest how often do people get charged with GST by customs? Just wondering as I got a letter today. I've brought parts in before and havent had it.

James

[duckonin]

Out of interest how often do people get charged with GST by customs? Just wondering as I got a letter today. I've brought parts in before and havent had it.

James

Were the parts valued at more than $400 ? if so that is reason no 1..

[Mully]

Were the parts valued at more than $400 ? if so that is reason no 1..

Yep - that.

Or undeclared value on the parcel.

[Harvd]

Or undeclared value on the parcel.

then how do they know how much to tax you?

[duckonin]

then how do they know how much to tax you?

They would open item and put their own value on it, they are not fools ..

[baptist]

Were the parts valued at more than $400 ? if so that is reason no 1..

Didn't know that myself, I used to get a lot of stuff sent over from the UK and the USA but never got any GST invoices, everything sent though was in packages of a lesser value than $400.

[Mully]

then how do they know how much to tax you?

They would open item and put their own value on it, they are not fools ..

Yeah, that.

Customs have valuation guys who pretty much make up a value.

Also, if there's no declared value, NZC will stop it until you have a clearance. You can't get a clearance without an invoice.

[Yow Ling]

gst amount is calculated on the item plus the freight

[jaymzw]

gst amount is calculated on the item plus the freight

Yep, plus the import fee (plus GST on that) plus a biosecurity fee (plus GST on that too)
Came to $133 although it is still worth the hassle.

[DEATH_INC.]

Most of the stuff I've brought in has just gone through. But I have had to pay it a couple of times.

[pzkpfw]

I got a parcel containing a "Hugger" and "Belly Pan".

They figured it was clothing and charged me for it.

By the time I found out I shouldn't have had to pay for motorcycle parts (was less than $xyz) and found out I had to front up at the customs office down town to pursue I refund I just left it.

Bastards do get stuff wrong.

(There were other clues on the label.)

[bogan]

got a 1100usd laptop last year, was obviously a laptop as the sender just stuck a label onto the box with packing tape. Was very surprised to see it sitting outside my front door, in plain view from the street and without GST charges! However my view is always expect to pay it (and always make sure they take off the VAT from purchase price!) but it's a bonus if you don't

[MarkH]

Came to $133 although it is still worth the hassle.

Basically if they can't charge at least $50 then it isn't worth their time to stop the package. In your case they consider it worthwhile since they were able to squeeze $133 out of you.

The last time I had a package stopped and had to pay GST was about 7 years ago. I bought a good flash for my camera - in NZ the cheapest price I could find was $875 and the dearest price was $1200. I paid for the flash + freight + GST and the total cost was $600 once I had it in my hand - $275 saved compared to the cheapest price that I could find here! Totally worth it.

[jaymzw]

got a 1100usd laptop last year, was obviously a laptop as the sender just stuck a label onto the box with packing tape. Was very surprised to see it sitting outside my front door, in plain view from the street and without GST charges! However my view is always expect to pay it (and always make sure they take off the VAT from purchase price!) but it's a bonus if you don't

No VAT in the US though right?

[Owl]

Yeah copped gst a couple of times on imported items.

One of those times, I had to return an item wrongly sent and it was going to be a PITA to claim back the gst. Interestingly, the US company agreed to pay the freight charges as long as I supplied the receipt. They re-imbursed me in US$, which more than covered the lost gst.