I'm all in favor of supporting local (NZ) businesses, if they aren't taking the piss

[yod]

I imported jacket, pants, helmet and 3 pairs of gloves in the last 3-4 months. Where the goods were subject to GST/duty an additional fee WAS charged every time and was, as stated above, about $46 and some odd cents.

I actually discussed this at length with several customs staff over a period of a few days when they were trying to charge me duty and gst on the pants (I felt they should be classed as safety eqpt, not clothing, which is exempt from duty - they agreed eventually) - anyhoo, the calculation was: If the TOTAL of duty and GST exceeds $60 then you are charged the duty and GST AS WELL AS the import fee of $46.xx - so you really cant get away with total fees of less than $106ish (if they're applied at all).

Bear in mind the $60 is a guideline - they don't always charge it. I somehow got away with the jacket which came in at a scratch over $400. In a lot of cases it will come down to how the goods have been described on the shipping docs.

[James Deuce]

I always price potential imports as including all applicable importation costs. If I'm saving more than 20% I'll buy it. I sure as hell don't go in there sniggering behind my hand that I'm not paying tax or duty. Those things are there for fairly sound economic reasons, BUT, there is a large gap in some instances between availability, reasonable lead times, and price when trying to get some motorcycle parts. For instance, you'd be an idiot to NOT use AF1 exclusively for EVERYTHING you need (except maybe tyres and chain and sprockets) if you own an Aprilia or a Moto Guzzi. If I want boots with toe sliders, I HAVE to import them. No one carries a size 48 boot with toe sliders and if I ask someone to order me some, it's an odds on chance for me to wait 3 months and then find them on backorder.

[Katman]

If I want boots with toe sliders, I HAVE to import them. No one carries a size 48 boot with toe sliders and if I ask someone to order me some, it's an odds on chance for me to wait 3 months and then find them on backorder.

http://www.lifestyle-imports.co.nz/s...roducts_id=207

[James Deuce]

http://www.lifestyle-imports.co.nz/s...roducts_id=207

Thanks for that. Last time I looked at the site, anything over 47 was specifically excluded from having sliders. One Tonne do the same also. However, it has to be said, that's a lot of ugly real estate on the shin and won't go under me leather jeans.

[xen]

If I want boots with toe sliders, I HAVE to import them. No one carries a size 48 boot with toe sliders and if I ask someone to order me some, it's an odds on chance for me to wait 3 months and then find them on backorder.

http://www.motoone.co.nz/sidi-st-road-boots

Also Vertigo & Fusion in 48 but maybe taking the piss?

[James Deuce]

Again, lots of super ugly and completely unnecessary real estate on the shin. I'd like some touring boots with toe sliders. I used to have some good, waterproof TCX ones. Waterproof doesn't work when you have to tuck your trousers into your boots. But thank you for the thought.

[F5 Dave]

O bought some of those lifestyle boots for racing as in nz getting a non Gortex boot (bulky and hot for racing) less than $600 is difficult and any contenders are too narrow thus give me cramp. I was sceptical when shop suggested to get some in to try. But you know- totally exceeded my expectations.

[yod]

I always price potential imports as including all applicable importation costs. If I'm saving more than 20% I'll buy it.

My thoughts exactly. The jacket I got is a perfect example. I landed it for $407, if I could have bought the jacket here for $500 I probably would have, but it retails for $699. Not only that, the other side of it is generally the variety you can obtain from Europe is immensely broader than the 1 or 2 styles/colour options you might be able to get here.

[Big Dog]

Again, lots of super ugly and completely unnecessary real estate on the shin. I'd like some touring boots with toe sliders. I used to have some good, waterproof TCX ones. Waterproof doesn't work when you have to tuck your trousers into your boots. But thank you for the thought.

You got big feet fella.

I thought mine were big.
Gaerne and Johnny Reb seem to be my only choices. The rest even if they go big enough are not wide enough across the bridge. 47 or 47.5 for last 3 pairs.

Girth is harder to accommodate than length.

You know what they say about big feet?
































Fucking hard to find good boots!


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[bogan]

Like I've said, I've imported gear countless times and have NEVER been charged an IETF once.
It's great that the same old nay-sayers can find a link so they can flex their e-peen in yet another pointless online argument but fact is; you can import without having to pay that feel. I would say on about 30% of the stuff I've brought in over $400 they have neglected to charge me GST as well.
Shrug.
It happens.

This just in, catharsis has figured out if you don't pay taxes you can get things cheaper.

More breaking news at 11

[catharsis]

errrr wot?

I figured out through many orders (that would come home much cheaper, gst, shipping, duties or not) that a surprisingly large percentage will not incur any charges, gst or otherwise.
Comprehension not your strongest attribute I see, don't worry pal, I'm sure you're probably a real charmer.

[bogan]

errrr wot?

I figured out through many orders (that would come home much cheaper, gst, shipping, duties or not) that a surprisingly large percentage will not incur any charges, gst or otherwise.
Comprehension not your strongest attribute I see, don't worry pal, I'm sure you're probably a real charmer.

The point is you can't compare imported stuff which doesn't have GST charged on it, to local stuff that does, and go wow those local guys are just creaming it.

The procedure is ridiculously simple, find local price, find import price and add shipping + gst/duties on that to get the final price on private imports. If final price is sufficiently less than local price in order to offset other factors like pre/after sales service you buy it, if it isn't you buy local.

Comprehension is fine, I was just making the rather on-topic counterpoint that playing the tax evasion lottery on imports isn't fair to local dealers.

[catharsis]

You mean like my earlier post where I said that I could pay shipping and gst twice on some of my orders and still have it come in cheaper than the same item locally?
Like that?

[bogan]

You mean like my earlier post where I said that I could pay shipping and gst twice on some of my orders and still have it come in cheaper than the same item locally?
Like that?

Exactly like that

[catharsis]

Glad we agree.
So yeah, unless I'm incredibly lazy and have just had a ridiculous bonus, I'll stick to overseas service and price over local shops any day.