Import Duty on a new lid?

[Bytor]

Do I have to pay import duty/gst if i buy a helmet from the states?

Seen a Blue Graphic Suomy Ventura for $149.95 USD with a shipping cost of $60 USD working out at roughly $310 NZD. Cycletreads sell the plain one's for $450. Reckon I could try it on here and if all is ok then order it from Uncle Sam whilst saving a bit of dough - unless I have to pay duty on it.

Anyone done this b4?

[The_Dover]

you'll pay gst I think but as it is safety equipment there should be no import duty.

check the customs website.

[Cajun]

wife has imported two helmets one shoei and one suomy and never been stung by gst or duty.

She needs xs so its like a 3 month wait to get one in nz, the landed a suomy race rep helmet(hodgson) + mirror visor for NZ$500(landed) the same helmet here alone sells for $1000.

If possible see if they can put the customs declration for alot lower than what you paided eg US$50

eg 1 shipment we sent across was for helmet, two piece alpine star suit, joe rocket gortex jacket, and joe rocket gloves.
No duty was worth in range of about US$800 worth of kit

[Bytor]

wife has imported two helmets one shoei and one suomy and never been stung by gst or duty.

She needs xs so its like a 3 month wait to get one in nz, the landed a suomy race rep helmet(hodgson) + mirror visor for NZ$500(landed) the same helmet here alone sells for $1000.

If possible see if they can put the customs duty for alot lower than what you paided eg US$50

Where did she get them from?

[Bytor]

Checked customs site and don't pay any duty on helmets just GST!

[Cajun]

ebay - dude called flyingBrian
http://stores.ebay.com/Flyin-Brians-...Q3amesstQQtZkm

[Swoop]

With that price you probably will not pay GST on it. I believe there is a threshold that has to be broken (around $700nz?) before customs will start charging.

[Titanium]

Just the GST if the GST value is $50.00 or more .....

Imported a Schuberth from Germany and got pinged the GST.

You might squeek in at around $42.00 GST .....

[Spyked]

You will not get stung for gst with a landed value of NZ$310.
$400 is usually the price point that Customs work at, although depending on the Customs Officer you may get away with quite a lot more.

[Fatjim]

When importing the threshold is $400. You are liable (but necessarily likely) to be charged GST.

If you bring it in yourself they don't as a RULE start collecting GST until the amount owed is $50. This means a value of $700 before GST.

Got it?

[MotoGirl]

wife has imported two helmets one shoei and one suomy and never been stung by gst or duty... eg 1 shipment we sent across was for helmet, two piece alpine star suit, joe rocket gortex jacket, and joe rocket gloves.

I am "wife"... I spent $800 (USD) and never got stung for GST. The guy who posted it said it was a helmet $25, jacket $10, and suit $50!!!
If you buy anything from overseas, make sure you measure your head to get the correct fit. You'll notice a small here might be slightly different to a small in the states.

[Cajun]

I am "wife"... I spent $800 (USD) and never got stung for GST. The guy who posted it said it was a helmet $25, jacket $10, and suit $50!!!
If you buy anything from overseas, make sure you measure your head to get the correct fit. You'll notice a small here might be slightly different to a small in the states.

pfffttt get back to work woman

[Bartman10]

Depends on the customs officer.

Didn't pay duty on my leathers but did pay GST

Bought in a Mac iBook in worth about $3200 and didn't pay GST or Duty.

All depends on who processes your stuff..

Normally they won't charge if the total tax bill (GST + duty) is under $50. If you start brining in more than one helmet you'll probably get stung.


NZ bike shops and importers sometimes charge a lot so it can be worthwhile importing stuff. Other times it's not worth the hassle. I'd be a bit wary about a helmet because it's possible that it will get damaged in transit.


Good luck!

[DonaldH]

Do I have to pay import duty/gst if i buy a helmet from the states?

Seen a Blue Graphic Suomy Ventura for $149.95 USD with a shipping cost of $60 USD working out at roughly $310 NZD. Cycletreads sell the plain one's for $450. Reckon I could try it on here and if all is ok then order it from Uncle Sam whilst saving a bit of dough - unless I have to pay duty on it.

Anyone done this b4?

Used Chicagoperformance on EBay moters. Good guy and sent the goods marked as a "present". No import tax or GST.

[Bytor]

thanx for the replies. It was just interesting seeing the price differences and variety of choice that you get in the states and UK. To be fair if you pay full retail then add shipping then there's not much in it for a top line lid, but the advantage of the states and UK is the Sales/Clearance sections with last years colour schemes etc - then you can save a bundle. There's also (due to the larger markets) more of a range in products and price levels rather than the cheap/expensive divide that we seem to have in NZ. Sure there are a few mid range lids, but I've already got an HJC AC-11 that is now too big and would be seen as a mid range helmet, but top end HJC. That leaves Arai and Shoei which are too expensive for me, Sharks and AGV don't fit me, so that leaves Suomy which are still too expensive here but cheaper overseas.