Hi all,
I talked about the NZ Post experience I've had with a parcel & the changes that were made in tracking it. Now, the parcel has finally made it to customs and I've hit a barrier I didn't expect. I'd appreciate some advice on this please.

The parcel was sent USPS (it came freight-free & I wasn't looking a gift horse in the mouth). When it left the US it had one of those plastic windows on it with the invoice inside. Apparently, it no longer does. 

Customs worked out the value from the declared insurance value of the item, which was US$798. They then converted this to NZ$999. The parcel weighs 7.3kg so they calculated a shipping cost of NZ$108. And charged GST based on all of that, added duty, biosecurity levy and import transaction fees and GST on each of those. 

I paid US$639.16 all up, which included freight. 

I objected to the charges and sent them the invoice, plus a screenshot of the web page with the item (that is showing the same price that I paid), the URL, a screenshot & URL for the information that the price included shipping, and they said it wasn't enough evidence. So, I sent them a copy of my credit card transactions. Still not enough evidence. 

I asked the vendor to email customs with a statement that I really did pay US$639.16. Customs is sticking to their assessment. 

What can I do now? This is patently unfair and I'm surprised that all the evidence I have sent to them is not being accepted. Hell, I could get a JP to view my credit card statement and swear its not been tampered with, except I am a JP and all the local ones know me personally, so that wouldn't wash. Do I get my bank to write a letter?

At my wits end. I seriously begrudge paying close on $150 more than I need to but, on the other hand, must have my tent before leaving on summer holidays (or I don't get to have the holiday at all). 

What makes me really spit chips is that I could have bought the tent back with me and worked out that it was (supposed) to be cheaper to pay GST & fees than to pay AirNZ for oversize excess baggage. Silly me :-(