Importing goods from overseas and import tax

**rapid van cleef** · 31st August 2012, 20:07

HI

Im looking at buying a suit from the usa, sportbike trackgear.com. the suit costs inc shipping come to 1500 nzd.

does anyone have any experience of this buying a similar item from this company or from somewhere else and if so, what import duties were payable here in nz?

ive heard that protective clothing does not carry some import charges, however, i want to see it in writing before (if) i order from overseas.

thanks

**demerits** · 31st August 2012, 20:57

10% duty fee
15% gst of the nz value
$42ish maf/customs fee.
theres a chance it will get through without having to pay anything though, all depends on how customs are feeling on the day.
The rationale behind it is to force us to purchase locally. but you will probably still get your suit quicker and cheaper if you buy from sportsbiketrackgear, ive got heaps of shit off them and it's here within 10 days.

**steve_t** · 31st August 2012, 21:00

Don't forget the biosecurity fee, the GST on the biosecurity fee, GST on the customs fee, general butt raping fee

**mossy1200** · 31st August 2012, 21:01

I only managed to get one item over 400 without paying tax etc.

I looked at a bunch of helmets online and found the local bike shop gave me a cheaper deal than importing the same helmet.

I think 1500-2k gets a custom suit made from the guy that does winter series rounds. i cant remember his name.

**demerits** · 31st August 2012, 21:06

if you wait out until december, customs will be getting slammed, so better chances of getting it through unchecked.

**steve_t** · 31st August 2012, 21:07

$1900 for a custom made one-piece race suit with armour

http://www.celtic-leathers.com/news.php

**scott411** · 31st August 2012, 21:08

Originally Posted by demerits

The rationale behind it is to force us to purchase locally. but you will probably still get your suit quicker and cheaper if you buy from sportsbiketrackgear, ive got heaps of shit off them and it's here within 10 days.

its more like to charge you the same fees they charge retailers in NZ, and they have got better at picking up on everything so the fees you state are right,

**rapid van cleef** · 31st August 2012, 22:03

are these payable even if the item is sent from a private residential address as a gift?

**mossy1200** · 31st August 2012, 22:27

Originally Posted by rapid van cleef

are these payable even if the item is sent from a private residential address as a gift?

Most likely it will get stopped and take you a while to retrieve after giving up the cost etc and paying the tax. they dont even contact you to say they have your goods.

Celtic leathers is the best value. Plus if you damage the then you will get great follow up repair prices.

**Ntoxcated** · 31st August 2012, 23:53

Originally Posted by demerits

10% duty fee
15% gst of the nz value
$42ish maf/customs fee.
theres a chance it will get through without having to pay anything though, all depends on how customs are feeling on the day.
The rationale behind it is to force us to purchase locally. but you will probably still get your suit quicker and cheaper if you buy from sportsbiketrackgear, ive got heaps of shit off them and it's here within 10 days.

I thought it was 0% duty for protective gear - it's not counted as apparel as such.

15% GST on value + shipping.

**rapid van cleef** · 31st August 2012, 23:54

that makes sense. how can they charge a shipping fee when its already paid?

**demerits** · 1st September 2012, 07:23

I havn't heard of this protective gear 0% and i can't see it on customs website. I got stung on a helmet and jacket that I assume are protective gear. and yes if you have contacts over there who label it as a gift then there are no charges, however when you do it that way you then have to pay state tax as it's getting shipped to residential us first.

**bsasuper** · 1st September 2012, 07:30

0% on safety glases,safety boots etc, not motorcycle riding gear, if you can get them to down mark the value you might be ok.

**demerits** · 1st September 2012, 07:51

Originally Posted by bsasuper

0% on safety glases,safety boots etc, not motorcycle riding gear, if you can get them to down mark the value you might be ok.

I see, I wasn't thinking of protective equipment in that aspect. problem with down marking the value is if it gets lost in transit, the insurance will only pay out on the listed figure.

At the end of the day even if you do get nailed with the maximum fees, chances are it will still be a hell of alot cheaper than buying here.