Privately importing a helmet

[tracyprier]

Hi all

Am looking to replace my existing HJC with a new one. The CL-SP looks the business but Darbi only import black and I'm after silver.

Anywhoo, I checked a USA eBay trader I've dealt with before (flyin Brians Deals) and through him I can get (including shipping) a higher-spec HJC AC-12 for the same cost as an SP here (about $310.00nz)

Question is, can I do this? privately import a helmet? Obviously it is the same thing we get here and has all the relevant safety specs.

Thanks
Tracy

[Mully]

Yep, provided it meets the safety specs. (Don't think you will even need documents to that effect as it's for personal use).

And needs the relevant safety sticker on it.

Check out www.ltsa.govt.nz for more info.

Oh, and no Import Duty on motorcycle helmets either.

[Slingshot]

I imported an AGV from the States not long ago, as mentioned there's no duty on Helmets and I didn't get stung the GST either.

[tracyprier]

Thanks guys

Man we pay too much for helmets down this way! The $310 price for this AC also includes $60 US for shipping... remove that and YIKES! velly cheep

Tracy

[James Deuce]

Most important thing about a helmet is fit.

Not brand, colour, marketing, or implied coolness.

If it doesn't fit right it can hurt you. Hurt you worse than if you weren't wearing one.

Make sure the company you import it through will take returns. There are three different generic shapes for helmets due to generic differences in human skull shapes in different regions and the same model helmet for one market may not be the same shape for another market.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Most important thing about a helmet is fit.

Not brand, colour, marketing, or implied coolness.

If it doesn't fit right it can hurt you. Hurt you worse than if you weren't wearing one.

Make sure the company you import it through will take returns. There are three different generic shapes for helmets due to generic differences in human skull shapes in different regions and the same model helmet for one market may not be the same shape for another market.

fo shizzle ma nizzle.

I was trying on helmets on Saturday and the differences are amazing.

[Mully]

I imported an AGV from the States not long ago, as mentioned there's no duty on Helmets and I didn't get stung the GST either.

You wouldn't as long as the payable amount was less than NZ$50.

If the clearance agent (probably DHL) want to charge you GST and it's less than $50, tell them to go shove it and do a Write Off Entry. Don't listen to their excuses. PM me if you need any more info.

If anyone wants you to pay for a clearance (i.e. not DHL, TNT, UPS who should all be free), send me a PM and I'll give you the Customs tariff code to go to Customs and do the entry yourself.

Alternatively, make sure the sender/seller gives you an invoice (Customs will require this, as will any Customs Broker) with the terms "DDU" or "DDP".

Heh, pays to be in the industry. Finally it comes in useful.

[James Deuce]

Privately imported motorcycle gear incurs no duty and is usually exempted from GST.

Check the schedule on the Customs website.

You don't need a Customs Broker for a private import.

[Hitcher]

You're lucky you don't live in Australia. The regulators there have deemed that unless a helmet has the requisite Australian Standards sticker, wearing said is illegal. Mrs H and I discovered this "useful" fact after having completed our tour wearing our Shoeis that we had taken with us and which lacked the requisite compliance decal. One way of keeping the local importers in business, I guess. I can't see any other reason for such a requirement.

[Forest]

Privately imported motorcycle gear incurs no duty and is usually exempted from GST.

It is only exempted if the GST owing (on the item and shipping) is less than $50.

This is where the $400 limit comes from (as $50 is 12.5% of $400).

[Mully]

It is only exempted if the GST owing (on the item and shipping) is less than $50.

This is where the $400 limit comes from (as $50 is 12.5% of $400).

I concur.

Not all motorcycle gear is Duty Free either. PM if you want any specific details.