YouShop but you don't avoid paying GST when entering the country. However they are based in a location with no local sales tax. So you don't pay for USA sales tax also.

thanks, that makes sense.

im sure someone mentioned to me one that opens the package etc and resends. oh i have a friend in the states. could they give something to me as a gift?

NZPost Youshop service is good, and is quick enough but not express by any means. Friends in the US can ship stuff over, but it can still be taxed.

TeaLeaf:

 

thanks, that makes sense.

 

im sure someone mentioned to me one that opens the package etc and resends. oh i have a friend in the states. could they give something to me as a gift?

 

they could but you still may be required to pay GST etc on the items

What if my friend is gifting me a used item, ie its not in a box and has clearly been opened etc?

Your friend can declare a nominal value. But Customs may open the box and if they see it's a new item (such as the latest iPhone but just missing the box) they can still ask you to pay GST if the amount owed is over $60 (15% of $400, incl postage).

ok cheers for that i wanted to clarify the law on it all and not get caught with a huge bill.

What about family visiting from Europe for Xmas. If they buy a notebook and use it. Its not illegal for them to gift it to us?

again you may or may not get stung depends on customs, as there is no hard and fast rule but if they think you/they are trying to cheat things they may chargs you the GST/import fees

so it really just comes down to what they think on the day?

like if someone is coming into the country with a laptop why dont they get stung with customs every time? clearly there must be some kind of rule. id love to know what that is.

ie my dad brings his laptop to NZ with him on holiday

i dont think importing is cheaper than buying here sadly. maybe the US a little bit. so ive given up on that. i just dont want to go travelling and get charged GST on my way back which has never happened before.

TeaLeaf:

 

so it really just comes down to what they think on the day?

 

like if someone is coming into the country with a laptop why dont they get stung with customs every time? clearly there must be some kind of rule. id love to know what that is.

 

ie my dad brings his laptop to NZ with him on holiday

 

i dont think importing is cheaper than buying here sadly. maybe the US a little bit. so ive given up on that. i just dont want to go travelling and get charged GST on my way back which has never happened before.

 

It's not up to what they think. If they see something that is chargeable they will charge. If they don't see (well I don't work there so I don't know the conditions that would create this situation) then obviously you won't get charged. But my guess is it depends on the declared value. Declare a chargeable value, get charged.

Reading this thread, I just realised I have no understanding what or why they are taxing when they apply GST on things you import.  It just seems like a money grab.

TeaLeaf:

 

What if my friend is gifting me a used item, ie its not in a box and has clearly been opened etc?

 

Sending something as a gift is the worst thing to do - the GST threshold drops significantly and is charged on goods valued at NZ$110 or more. The fact a product may be 2nd hand also does not exempt it from duty and/or GST.

rmt38:

 

Reading this thread, I just realised I have no understanding what or why they are taxing when they apply GST on things you import.  It just seems like a money grab.

 

Huh? They're adding GST and/or duty just like any other retail product sold in NZ attracts. The fact you import something doesn't change this, but you are allowed a concession.

TeaLeaf:

 

so it really just comes down to what they think on the day?

 

like if someone is coming into the country with a laptop why dont they get stung with customs every time? clearly there must be some kind of rule. id love to know what that is.

 

ie my dad brings his laptop to NZ with him on holiday

 

 

 

No it doesn't come down to what they think on the day.

When you visit NZ and bring your laptop with you it's allowed under a personal effects concession. If your father (for example) gave you his laptop admitted under this concession he would be breaking the law unless he paid GST and duty on the product. Customs can (and do) demand a deposit to be paid on some products when they enter the country (such as for a big exhibition)  where people may try to give products away.

The rules are very clear and there is nothing confusing about them. I suggest you do some light reading of the Customs website if you want to learn more.