Importing goods?

[Kflasher]

Hey guys any info on buying goods and bring them back into the country?

I will be buying a helmet in US and bringing it back to NZ, does anyone know if I will be landed with additional costs etc.

I believe I can bring in up to $700ish without any charges/ taxes.

Helmet cost approx. $350NZD in US and not on shelves here and est. cost in NZ will be around $750-$800 (and not until 2009)

My time is limited on net so if you wanna PM me or normal broardcast, sweet as.

[Headbanger]

Anything over $400 can be grabbed and held until the appropriate tax is paid.

[Kflasher]

as in they will hold until i pay for the tax on it?

[alanzs]

Hey guys any info on buying goods and bring them back into the country?

I will be buying a helmet in US and bringing it back to NZ, does anyone know if I will be landed with additional costs etc.

I believe I can bring in up to $700ish without any charges/ taxes.

Helmet cost approx. $350NZD in US and not on shelves here and est. cost in NZ will be around $750-$800 (and not until 2009)

My time is limited on net so if you wanna PM me or normal broardcast, sweet as.

I go there frequently. I'm going tomorrow as a matter of fact. Get the reciept to be cheaper on the item if it's really expensive. I have never been questioned as to what I am bringing back or why.
I have brought back helmets, gloves, tyres, radar detectors, lights, ipods and suitcases full of clothing for me and the family. It seems that as long as it's for personal use, I have never had a problem. Do declare it though on the customs form. Even IF you pay duty on it (which I have never had to do), it'll still be a hell of a lot cheaper than getting it here, in general. Don't worry.
Have fun, where you going?

[Kflasher]

I go there frequently. I'm going tomorrow as a matter of fact. Get the reciept to be cheaper on the item if it's really expensive. I have never been questioned as to what I am bringing back or why.
I have brought back helmets, gloves, tyres, radar detectors, lights, ipods and suitcases full of clothing for me and the family. It seems that as long as it's for personal use, I have never had a problem. Do declare it though on the customs form. Even IF you pay duty on it (which I have never had to do), it'll still be a hell of a lot cheaper than getting it here, in general. Don't worry.
Have fun, where you going?

Cheers dude, first time in US and I am/was a little worried how customs might react to me taking a helmet on board... hehe.

[James Deuce]

http://www.customs.govt.nz

It's all there. Don't listen to the bollocks that everyone spreads about duty and GST. Motorcycle gear for personal use, including helmets is exempt duty. If they don't like the way you look at them you'll get to pay GST, so be polite. Most stuff is SUPPOSED to attract GST, but if you have a go at the Customs people they may also chose to charge an Import Entry Transaction Fee of $28.75.

[alanzs]

http://www.customs.govt.nz

It's all there. Don't listen to the bollocks that everyone spreads about duty and GST. Motorcycle gear for personal use, including helmets is exempt duty. If they don't like the way you look at them you'll get to pay GST, so be polite. Most stuff is SUPPOSED to attract GST, but if you have a go at the Customs people they may also chose to charge an Import Entry Transaction Fee of $28.75.

Exactly. Smile and always be polite. Answer the questions they ask as politely as possible. Every question they ask, while it may seem informal to you, is not. They have a job and some take it really seriously. Don't joke around, don't give them more information than they ask. They are not looking to bust you for anything, but they are looking for people who are trying to smuggle in goods illegally. That is not you. This is especially true when entering the US. All that said, don't worry, relax, have fun and go shopping and get some amazing bargains. You're gonna love the stuff you can buy there for a fraction of the cost here.

[TLMAN]

Cheers dude, first time in US and I am/was a little worried how customs might react to me taking a helmet on board... hehe.

Just wear it

[alanzs]

Cheers dude, first time in US and I am/was a little worried how customs might react to me taking a helmet on board... hehe.

To break in your helmet wear it everywhere you go. They especially love it when you go into the bank and when you are waiting in line at the airport. You'll get the best service imaginable. Trust me on this one!

[Stromble]

Cant you just take it as hand luggage?, get rid of the box, and tell customs its your own helmet that you took cos you were hiring a bike in the states?

[alanzs]

Cant you just take it as hand luggage?, get rid of the box, and tell customs its your own helmet that you took cos you were hiring a bike in the states?

Hand luggage is the way to go. Just take it out of the box, put it in the cloth bag they usually come with (just so it won't get scratched) and don't sweat it. Never had a problem.

Bringing tyres was a little more challenging, but I just cable tied them together, put a luggage tag on them and there was no problem. Checked them in as luggage. I also saved over $250 buying them in the US, as opposed to here.

[TLDV8]

About the only problem might be (if it was checked) a standards sticker. ?
In saying that i have a Arai XD3 on the way from the US which will not have a AS sticker (DOT) but the AUS$899 cost here verses AUS$472 for the same helmet from the US was the decider.

[cs363]

Just regarding helmets from the US, you should be aware of this (cut & pasted from 'what helmet is best thread):

" http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/road-user-sa...g-helmets.html
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regul...DLM303630.html
You will note that DOT approved helmets are only legal if manufactured AND purchased in the USA, so for instance the AGV Stealth mentioned above is technically illegal for road use in this country, whereas a Simpson would be legal. Not saying the helmet is unsafe as such, but approved to a different standard than most local market helmets and more importantly not legal. I haven't seen an MNZ rule book for a couple of years now but I would imagine they are still basing their helmet rulings on what LTSA considers legal to import into NZ. "

Whether this worries you or not is up to you, but it does pay to be informed. I guess this could have an effect regarding ACC or insurance if you are involved in an accident, and regardless - you are breaking the law. This only applies to DOT/FMVSS helmets, Snell 2000 and higher are fine.
Hand luggage is definitely the go for helmets, and gear is ok if you remove the packaging/tags etc and as someone said just say you used it in the US.
Helmets aren't dutiable, neither are race suits or textile gear with armour. Leather jackets & pants are dutiable however supposedly to protect the local industry (which amounts to one manufacturer making outdated gear...)
As long as you don't go crazy you probably won't need to declare, but if you have any doubts just declare it, worst case is you'll get charged GST but half the time they just tell you to carry on through.
Make sure everything fits and has no faults before you buy as warranty/sizing issues are hard to fix when you get back home.

Spend some of the money you save at your local dealer when you get back home, because the local industry supports your sport and local riders etc. Most of the reason we pay higher prices here has more to do with the government than any profiteering by local businesses.

[TLDV8]

I can not remember what it looked like on NZ helmets but here in Australia they simply apply this decal to a rest of the world helmet.
I thought back home it might be ASNZ rated.

[cs363]

From what I understand from mates in the industry over there, the 'powers that be' are even more anal about helmet imports that we used to be over here. I think you can only have AS approved helmets imported into Aussie - though I'm not sure what the deal is on private/personal imports is. Might be worth doing some homework on