Buying from the States?

[chrispy121]

hi guys I have a mate that works in the states and he can get me a great deal on a new jacket.
is there any import duties I will have to pay through customs.
just dont want to get caught with an extra bill at the end.

[YellowDog]

There aren't any import duties however if its sales invoice value is greater than NZ$400, you will have to pay GST on it. You'd better check as the NZ$400 may not be the current threshold.

[2wheeldrifter]

Yep 400 is the limit including the postage price! you will get charged GST, then it's 1000bucks, GST and a duty of whatever the item is??? as I remember it

[CookMySock]

Tell him to just wear it. They won't tax him on what he is wearing.

Steve

[Burtha]

If he's just posting it to you and your not worried about returns or refunds, just removed all the sales and ticketing info, rough it up a bit (creased as if its been warn) and get him to post it in such a way that its not in its original packaging and that he posts it on your behalf and not from the store.

No sign of it being new - no import tax to worry about.
My parents always used to buy new golf clubs overseas then rub them in dirt etc ...

[Subike]

There aren't any import duties however if its sales invoice value is greater than NZ$400, you will have to pay GST on it. You'd better check as the NZ$400 may not be the current threshold.

I find this difficult to undestand, as I have bought items x USA having had them posted to me with no problems.
I believe that if the item is for your own use , not for resale, then GST does not apply as you are the end user.
I have also bought items from Europe valued over NZ$400 with no import duty or tax imposed upon the item.

[scumdog]

I find this difficult to undestand, as I have bought items x USA having had them posted to me with no problems.
I believe that if the item is for your own use , not for resale, then GST does not apply as you are the end user.
I have also bought items from Europe valued over NZ$400 with no import duty or tax imposed upon the item.

Took my money to the US of A, bought a car there and had it shipped to EnZed.

Got pinged GST, duty, MAF inspection fee yadd-yadda....the lot.

[Cajun]

I find this difficult to undestand, as I have bought items x USA having had them posted to me with no problems.
I believe that if the item is for your own use , not for resale, then GST does not apply as you are the end user.
I have also bought items from Europe valued over NZ$400 with no import duty or tax imposed upon the item.

you are more likey to be sting for bigger items

we have brought a number of items in over the years. leather suits, helmets, full exhaust systems pc3s.

Wasn't until the last shipment (full yoshi exhaust system & pc3, were were stung for gst), we had a simlar size item 6 months before that, that came thru fine.

So i think sometimes you are luck others times not.

[scuzeme]

Tell him to just wear it. They won't tax him on what he is wearing.

Steve

Yep thats the best way i brought a Dainese Ducati jacket worth $1200.00 AUS $ and carried it on the plane no one asked me anything.

I have also imported a set of rims from the States and yep they stung me GST.

Cheers.

[vifferman]

we have brought a number of items in over the years. ...Wasn't until the last shipment ...were were stung for gst) .

So i think sometimes you are luck others times not.

I suspect they don't check everything, just do random checks, or look for a history of several items being brought in. (Just a guess - I don't know for sure).

NotSteve

[ckai]

You may wanna look at this...

http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers...ms+Charges.htm

I had a very quick look through but couldn't find anything about it. To be honest I had a 10 second look and couldn't be bothered looking longer.

I've ship all my new snowboarding gear from the US last year and didn't get hit for anything (they didn't even charge me shipping for my helmet!). My board was over $400NZ but like Cajun mentioned, they would look at bigger items more.

I remember reading something last year about safety items are exempt. This may only be for helmets though (snowboarding helmet was), so don't quote me.

[geoffc]

Took my money to the US of A, bought a car there and had it shipped to EnZed.
Got pinged GST, duty, MAF inspection fee yadd-yadda....the lot.

Was that the guy in customs you gave that speeding ticket anything to do with it?

[scumdog]

Was that the guy in customs you gave that speeding ticket anything to do with it?

Could be, who knows??


(I wasn't there when it went through customs.)

[Bike-aholic]

hi guys I have a mate that works in the states and he can get me a great deal on a new jacket.
is there any import duties I will have to pay through customs.
just dont want to get caught with an extra bill at the end.

When he sends it tell him to declear it as a gift and put the value down as $100 and you will be fine. Make sure he takes all price tags off and no sales receipt.

[Cajun]

When he sends it tell him to declear it as a gift and put the value down as $100 and you will be fine. Make sure he takes all price tags off and no sales receipt.

you have to be careful of this, cause the insurance on the package will only cover whats is decleared so it it goes missing you could be out of pocket.