What are the duty or customs charges for buying parts from the US?

[nodrog:Me]

seven dollars twenty

[Mad-V2]

So as long as the value on the package is listed as $400 or less by the seller then there will be no fees this end is that correct?

Can't imagine that the package is actually opened to identify the true value of the goods inside is it?

I've had most of my international parcels rummaged through, I reckon they look for undeclared items so they can take them home and sell them
Any new big ticket items over $400 should also be removed from the original package before it's sent so it looks second hand, just in case.

[DrunkenMistake]

I skim read the other replies and they are all about the same,

you have a 50/50 shot of having to pay GST or not,
I have brought in over a grands worth of stuff in one go, and didnt have to pay a cent, my recent purchase was fairings which were marked as Motorcycle race sample products, with a total value of $100 not sure how they figured that one out, but anything over $500 you run the gst risk

[Drtylilman]

Thanks guys did a bit of ringing around for Yoshi and 2 Bro exhausts and regardless of whether I get pinged GST Its still going to be a whole lot cheaper.

I'd love to buy local and help out businesses that no doubt will be hurting from the quake but the difference in price is nearly double . A bit like the AB jerseys

[steve_t]

Sometimes going into a bike shop and talking face to face with one of the good people there can make the difference between buying overseas and buying locally more favourable considering you'll still have Consumer's Guarantee protection etc. Just thought I'd mention it in case you wanted to see what they could do for you

[Robert Taylor]

Ive bought up to $400 worth of bike parts from USA and have paid no duty on it.
Dont know what the limit is though.It was heaps cheaper than buying from the Stealerships here.

The ''stealerships'' you so scathingly refer to have to pay clearance and gst when you dont. Is that fair?

[gwigs]

The ''stealerships'' you so scathingly refer to have to pay clearance and gst when you dont. Is that fair?

When I have to pay double the price here,yeah its fair.If prices werent so ridiculous here I,d be glad to spend my money here.

[Robert Taylor]

When I have to pay double the price here,yeah its fair.If prices werent so ridiculous here I,d be glad to spend my money here.

Its part but not all of the reason prices are more expensive here. The reasons are way more complex than many are prepared to realise, if there were quick and foolproof answers it would be sorted!
I think anything that helps to put ordinary kiwis out of work is something we should ALL be very concerned about. Every offshore purchase threatens everyones job security and Im certain that a good many kiwis have lost their jobs because of this.

[Road kill]

So as long as the value on the package is listed as $400 or less by the seller then there will be no fees this end is that correct?

Can't imagine that the package is actually opened to identify the true value of the goods inside is it?

I have about 3-4 of the 12 or so packages I've bought in opened.
I think most of the time it's to find just what the goods really are rather than their actual value.
Plus they must keep indervidual records because the first of a couple of lots I bought in were opened,an then nothing since.

[flyingcrocodile46]

if there were quick and foolproof answers it would be sorted!

That's exactly how I look at it, but I already pay taxes to do my bit for the community and what's left isn't enough to cover all I need so I have to get the very best value for money with all of my purchases. I reckon I save an average of around 35% by buying from retail traders overseas. That's my quick and easy answer, none are foolproof, but it is sorted.

I simply can't afford to support NZ traders through their inequity problems. Sorry if you don't like it but we all have to do what we have to.

[Mad-V2]

Its part but not all of the reason prices are more expensive here. The reasons are way more complex than many are prepared to realise, if there were quick and foolproof answers it would be sorted!
I think anything that helps to put ordinary kiwis out of work is something we should ALL be very concerned about. Every offshore purchase threatens everyones job security and Im certain that a good many kiwis have lost their jobs because of this.

But duties and tax don't explain the ridiculous labour charges N.Z bike shops charge, ya have to start looking after customers somewhere.
I had a rear shock put in years ago which cost me $1200 in labour, if I knew then what I know now I would have laughed in the guys face and done the job myself.
I bet if their was some sort of motorcycle superstore like the warehouse that imported large amounts of stock and put cheap prices on it, everyone would sharpen their pencils a bit.
Then again I'm no expert on the subject, I'm just on the receiving end

[BMWST?]

So as long as the value on the package is listed as $400 or less by the seller then there will be no fees this end is that correct?

Can't imagine that the package is actually opened to identify the true value of the goods inside is it?

customs are a law unto themselves,they have powers the police dont have.They can asses the value of the package themselves if they think the value of the invoice does not reflect the actual value of the goods

[Robert Taylor]

That's exactly how I look at it, but I already pay taxes to do my bit for the community and what's left isn't enough to cover all I need so I have to get the very best value for money with all of my purchases. I reckon I save an average of around 35% by buying from retail traders overseas. That's my quick and easy answer, none are foolproof, but it is sorted.

I simply can't afford to support NZ traders through their inequity problems. Sorry if you don't like it but we all have to do what we have to.

But its an inequity when many private imports dont accrue clearance charges and gst. That further disadvantages businesses and the ordinary everyday kiwis they employ. Bear in mind that this is an issue across the board, not just with the motorcycle industry.

[Robert Taylor]

customs are a law unto themselves,they have powers the police dont have.They can asses the value of the package themselves if they think the value of the invoice does not reflect the actual value of the goods

If they pay particular attention to shipments where the value is falsified downwards then all power to them

[Robert Taylor]

But duties and tax don't explain the ridiculous labour charges N.Z bike shops charge, ya have to start looking after customers somewhere.
I had a rear shock put in years ago which cost me $1200 in labour, if I knew then what I know now I would have laughed in the guys face and done the job myself.
I bet if their was some sort of motorcycle superstore like the warehouse that imported large amounts of stock and put cheap prices on it, everyone would sharpen their pencils a bit.
Then again I'm no expert on the subject, I'm just on the receiving end

So what is a ridiculous labour charge? Ive worked overseas and its no different, maybe in real terms more expensive in other localities. If you are paying the going rate and get an average job from a mechanic that doesnt care then yes it is ridiculous. But a good experienced, qualified and dedicated motorcycle mechanic is worth their weight in gold. There are a few of them

There are a few professions that need their charges scrutinised well before the motorcycle service industry

Please elaborate on the $1200 for shock installation?