Import fees when buying from Amazon

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Forums › Bargains and Deals › Import fees when buying from Amazon

beddy

93 posts

Master Geek

#205835 29-Nov-2016 09:14

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum, but it does relate to a deal.

I'm looking at getting a pair of the Sony mdr-1000x headphones.

Sony have told me they won't be released here until February, and I see that Amazon currently have them discounted by $52(US).

They are selling for $348.00(US), plus $11.57(US) Shipping and $78.59(US) Import Fees Deposit, which equates to around $620(NZ).

I think the RRP when they release here will be $740.

So my question is, will I be liable for any more customs fees when they land in the country, or is it covered by the fee that Amazon charge?

Also, how do I get on if there's a fault with them? I assume I'd have to send them back to Amazon?

sbiddle

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#1679261 29-Nov-2016 09:19

Amazon take care of all customs fees and duties which is what the $78 is.

beddy

93 posts

Master Geek

#1679273 29-Nov-2016 09:43

sbiddle:

Amazon take care of all customs fees and duties which is what the $78 is.

Thanks for the quick reply.

I had a look at http://www.whatsmyduty.org.nz and they also show a "Customs import entry transaction fee" of NZ$29.26 and a "MPI Levy" of $19.98, as the duty is over $60.

Do you know if I'd be charged this as well?

mugs2000

66 posts

Master Geek
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#1679274 29-Nov-2016 09:45

I'm not sure about customs duty, but you will need to fork out an additional 15% GST. so that is not too far of the NZ price. Coupled with the warantee issue, you will probably be better off getting locally.

See http://www.customs.govt.nz/features/charges/fees/Pages/default.aspx for further information.

afe66

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#1679275 29-Nov-2016 09:46

Is GST already collected by Amazon too?

robjg63

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#1679288 29-Nov-2016 09:59

I see Amazon are charging NZ gst for e-books movies etc that are delivered digitally - But cant see details on actual physical purchases anywhere.

Anyone have any links to anything that explains the NZ GST arrangement that Amazon has?

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Dynamic

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#1679294 29-Nov-2016 10:13

IIRC large online retailers (Amazon, Netflix, etc) have been given the hard word about charging GST and passing it on. Smaller electronic-delivery retailers will likely fly under the radar.

AFAIK physical purchases under NZ$400 (incl shipping) will sail through without GST and import fees. Amazon taking care of this for items over $400 is making life easier for you as the customer and probably saving you a little bit as their fees as a frequent user may be smaller and for you as a one-off or infrequent user.

Source: I purchase items from US and China every couple of months (usually for me personally), and take care to stay well under the $400 mark. I also purchase software and services from offshore providers for work.

I had ordered an Indiegogo product under development 18 months ago and it was going to be around NZ$350 delivered, but by the time it came for delivery a few weeks ago, the exchange rate change made it worth around NZ$450 and I nearly choked on the bill for $110-ish GST and fees.

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jeeg

351 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1679390 29-Nov-2016 12:28

Yeah Amazon collects the import fees on your behalf and pays for you.

Although I've had one instance when amazon took my money and didn't pay the UPS (or was it FedEx?) and they didn't release my parcel until I made endless complaints to amazon's live chat.

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sonyxperiageek

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#1679473 29-Nov-2016 14:24

beddy:

sbiddle:

Amazon take care of all customs fees and duties which is what the $78 is.

Thanks for the quick reply.

I had a look at http://www.whatsmyduty.org.nz and they also show a "Customs import entry transaction fee" of NZ$29.26 and a "MPI Levy" of $19.98, as the duty is over $60.

Do you know if I'd be charged this as well?

That $78USD should cover that. I also read a while back that if Customs charge less than the $78USD Amazon will refund you the difference.

Sony

tigercorp

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1679594 29-Nov-2016 16:22

fyi - if you're in Australia sometime soon, you can order a pair from Addicted to Audio for $528 AUD which is essentially $540 NZD at the moment.

And if you come back within 60 days of purchase you can claim the tax back as well...

beddy

93 posts

Master Geek

#1679669 29-Nov-2016 18:36

Thanks to everyone who replied. I've gone ahead and ordered them.