What have you paid import duty and GST for when arriving in NZ after buying something overseas? Any physically large items?

Forums › Travel (planes, train, cruise) › What have you paid import duty and GST for when arriving in NZ after buying something overseas? Any physically large items?

AlDrag

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#323287 14-Nov-2025 14:02

So I know personal effects I think are fine? Such as clothes etc? As long as you ain't planning to sell them?

But what about larger items? Like a brand new bicycle? Maybe a brand new surfboard. That kind of thing, when it's over the $700 threshold.

mudguard

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#3434543 14-Nov-2025 15:11

You'll get reamed on a whole bike. I've paid it on some bike specific tools, helmets etc.

Lets say you buy a really nice boutique mountain bike from the UK for £8000GBP. Freight £200. Total duty $2860

So it needs to be something you really want!!

AlDrag

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#3434545 14-Nov-2025 15:14

mudguard:

You'll get reamed on a whole bike. I've paid it on some bike specific tools, helmets etc.

Had a feeling that might be the case. Was thinking of getting my toddler a bike, as you can't buy it here, but definitely over $700.

I guess it would be import duty and GST? As if I get it tax free in Aussie (10% off) and then pay 15% GST in NZ, not too bad.

Dairusire

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#3434546 14-Nov-2025 15:15

This was a while ago but I flew to Aussie to pick up suspension for a race car because it was miles cheaper to fly, pick it up, and fly back than it was to ship it and pay GST.

AlDrag

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#3434547 14-Nov-2025 15:17

Dairusire:

This was a while ago but I flew to Aussie to pick up suspension for a race car because it was miles cheaper to fly, pick it up, and fly back than it was to ship it and pay GST.

That must have been heavy and in a seperate box! Customs didn't care?

wellygary

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#3434548 14-Nov-2025 15:18

AlDrag:

mudguard:

You'll get reamed on a whole bike. I've paid it on some bike specific tools, helmets etc.

Had a feeling that might be the case. Was thinking of getting my toddler a bike, as you can't buy it here, but definitely over $700.

I guess it would be import duty and GST? As if I get it tax free in Aussie (10% off) and then pay 15% GST in NZ, not too bad.

Customs says that Bikes/E-bikes have no Duty, so just GST

https://www.customs.govt.nz/sending-and-receiving/duty-and-gst/whats-my-duty-estimator

mudguard

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#3434549 14-Nov-2025 15:21

AlDrag:

mudguard:

You'll get reamed on a whole bike. I've paid it on some bike specific tools, helmets etc.

Had a feeling that might be the case. Was thinking of getting my toddler a bike, as you can't buy it here, but definitely over $700.

I guess it would be import duty and GST? As if I get it tax free in Aussie (10% off) and then pay 15% GST in NZ, not too bad.

https://www.customs.govt.nz/sending-and-receiving/duty-and-gst/whats-my-duty-estimator

Yeah it will all depend if you can find something similar locally or not.

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Jase2985

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#3434551 14-Nov-2025 15:27

AlDrag:

mudguard:

You'll get reamed on a whole bike. I've paid it on some bike specific tools, helmets etc.

Had a feeling that might be the case. Was thinking of getting my toddler a bike, as you can't buy it here, but definitely over $700.

a $700 bike for a toddler that they will outgrow in probably a year?

Plenty of cheaper local options here

AlDrag

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#3434552 14-Nov-2025 15:31

Jase2985:

a $700 bike for a toddler that they will outgrow in probably a year?

Plenty of cheaper local options here

Haha I don't need any advice on that, but yes it is a ridiculous price, but it doesn't have a coaster brake and it's a sick bike. Only other option in NZ for that is Prevelo and it costs more.

AlDrag

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#3434554 14-Nov-2025 15:32

wellygary:

Customs says that Bikes/E-bikes have no Duty, so just GST

https://www.customs.govt.nz/sending-and-receiving/duty-and-gst/whats-my-duty-estimator

Thanks for that, good news. Won't hurt as much. Assuming they base it off the NZD value I pay after a tax refund from the Aussie border.

mudguard

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#3434555 14-Nov-2025 15:35

AlDrag:

wellygary:

Customs says that Bikes/E-bikes have no Duty, so just GST

https://www.customs.govt.nz/sending-and-receiving/duty-and-gst/whats-my-duty-estimator

Thanks for that, good news. Won't hurt as much. Assuming they base it off the NZD value I pay after a tax refund from the Aussie border.

Ah I'm not sure. I used the currency it was bought it (which was sterling in my example). As the NZ dollar amount may not match the invoice.

AlDrag

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#3434561 14-Nov-2025 16:42

mudguard:

Ah I'm not sure. I used the currency it was bought it (which was sterling in my example). As the NZ dollar amount may not match the invoice.

Ahh good point. It will be based off the origin sale currency, which will be fine if the currency exchange doesn't dramatically change. 10% tax off in Australia then 15% increase when import here.

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frankv

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#3434628 14-Nov-2025 17:25

You must bring the item with you... it can't be shipped or freighted. As I discovered to my cost.

AlDrag

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#3434676 14-Nov-2025 18:08

frankv:

You must bring the item with you... it can't be shipped or freighted. As I discovered to my cost.

That'll definitely be the plan. Checked luggage.