Buying Electronics overseas

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beehappy

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#102943 26-May-2012 10:01

Hi
We are off on holiday to China & Hong Kong (No I'm not Skiting) closer to 60 than 50 and this is our first big OE
Couple of questions about buying electronics over there keen on a Samsung S3 and if available the new Note 10.1

1. Is it much cheaper (I believe if its used while i am there I don't have to pay Duty/GST etc.)

2. any tips how to avoid fakes

3. Any advice of good reliable places to shop

Many thanks Pete

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#630650 26-May-2012 11:07

You have to pay GST if you bring more than $750 worth of goods back into the country, both of these products will exceed that individually so you'll have to factor that in.

scuwp

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#630705 26-May-2012 13:00

sbiddle: You have to pay GST if you bring more than $750 worth of goods back into the country, both of these products will exceed that individually so you'll have to factor that in.

True, but only if you get caught :-)

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#630715 26-May-2012 13:37

Has the limit increased recently.

sbiddle

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#630716 26-May-2012 13:37

networkn: Has the limit increased recently.

sbiddle

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#630718 26-May-2012 13:40

scuwp:
sbiddle: You have to pay GST if you bring more than $750 worth of goods back into the country, both of these products will exceed that individually so you'll have to factor that in.

True, but only if you get caught :-)

But if you tick the box saying you don't have goods over $750 you've made an false declaration on an legal document which will result in a fine. It's a risk you have to face if you're going to lie!

Boeingflyer

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#630727 26-May-2012 13:58

The way i understand it is customs won't collect any duty under $50.
You only get charged duty on any amount over $750 (i thought it was $700 but anyway)
so if you divide $50 by GST of 15% you get approx $1083, minus $750 from this gives you duty payable of $50.
So if you buy something under $1080, and declare it you still won't be charged duty on it.

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scuwp

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#630734 26-May-2012 14:12

Fabian: The way i understand it is customs won't collect any duty under $50.
You only get charged duty on any amount over $750 (i thought it was $700 but anyway)
so if you divide $50 by GST of 15% you get approx $1083, minus $750 from this gives you duty payable of $50.
So if you buy something under $1080, and declare it you still won't be charged duty on it.

It is $700 combined value

When entering New Zealand you are entitled to a personal goods concession. This allows you to bring in goods free of duty (excluding alcohol and tobacco products) obtained overseas and/or purchased duty free in New Zealand, which have a total combined value of NZ$700. If the value of your goods is over NZ$700 then they may attract Customs duty and goods and services tax (GST).

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plod

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#630760 26-May-2012 16:10

If you enter the country with the new phones in your pocket?

Dingbatt

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#630798 26-May-2012 18:12

plod: If you enter the country with the new phones in your pocket?

Even if you stick it in a condom and carry it internally :O It is still smuggling if you do not declare it. Just consider if you want a smuggling charge against your name for the next time you travel overseas?

Edit: Oh, and as far as I know, if you have $701 in goods you MAY be charged 15% GST on $701 not $1.

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tdgeek

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#630800 26-May-2012 18:16

If you took your S3 from NZ and brought it back there is no duty. I am sure many buy a good and treat it from there as an existing good. Not my advice, but I am sure this is common

plod

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#630820 26-May-2012 19:14

Dingbatt:
plod: If you enter the country with the new phones in your pocket?

Even if you stick it in a condom and carry it internally :O It is still smuggling if you do not declare it. Just consider if you want a smuggling charge against your name for the next time you travel overseas?

Edit: Oh, and as far as I know, if you have $701 in goods you MAY be charged 15% GST on $701 not $1.

My point being, their have no way of knowing if you left nz with a phone, and if it's being used on your return I can't see how their can carge duty on it.

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#630825 26-May-2012 19:27

plod: If you enter the country with the new phones in your pocket?

Sticking it in your pocket changes nothing - you are still entering the country with something you need to pay GST or duty on!

plod:
Dingbatt:
plod: If you enter the country with the new phones in your pocket?

Even if you stick it in a condom and carry it internally :O It is still smuggling if you do not declare it. Just consider if you want a smuggling charge against your name for the next time you travel overseas?

Edit: Oh, and as far as I know, if you have $701 in goods you MAY be charged 15% GST on $701 not $1.
My point being, their have no way of knowing if you left nz with a phone, and if it's being used on your return I can't see how their can carge duty on it.

You could be asked to produce the receipt for it to prove you bought it before you left... now what are you going to do?

rayonline

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#630826 26-May-2012 19:33

scuwp:
Fabian: The way i understand it is customs won't collect any duty under $50.
You only get charged duty on any amount over $750 (i thought it was $700 but anyway)
so if you divide $50 by GST of 15% you get approx $1083, minus $750 from this gives you duty payable of $50.
So if you buy something under $1080, and declare it you still won't be charged duty on it.

It is $700 combined value

When entering New Zealand you are entitled to a personal goods concession. This allows you to bring in goods free of duty (excluding alcohol and tobacco products) obtained overseas and/or purchased duty free in New Zealand, which have a total combined value of NZ$700. If the value of your goods is over NZ$700 then they may attract Customs duty and goods and services tax (GST).

In our experience they will question you if the items are new in box (NIB). They think you might bring over here to sell.

You could just scrap the manuals and the box and take it over as your Pad or your laptop like many people do now....

Research your prices in NZ first before .. so you know. Remember no warranties unless you send it back overseas and pay for the return also. I got a digital SLR like that with warranty. Remembering there are also parallel imports in NZ as well that may be cheaper than the official places.

Let's get real here, many people may know what is the S3 and they probably have systems in place that can gather an estimate price. Even if you have no invoice, they will just get their own estimate and slap on the tax.

gregmcc

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#630830 26-May-2012 19:48

keewee01:
plod: If you enter the country with the new phones in your pocket?

Sticking it in your pocket changes nothing - you are still entering the country with something you need to pay GST or duty on!

plod:
Dingbatt:
plod: If you enter the country with the new phones in your pocket?

Even if you stick it in a condom and carry it internally :O It is still smuggling if you do not declare it. Just consider if you want a smuggling charge against your name for the next time you travel overseas?

Edit: Oh, and as far as I know, if you have $701 in goods you MAY be charged 15% GST on $701 not $1.
My point being, their have no way of knowing if you left nz with a phone, and if it's being used on your return I can't see how their can carge duty on it.

You could be asked to produce the receipt for it to prove you bought it before you left... now what are you going to do?

the same could also be said for the undies you are wearing.... got a recipt??. Just dump the box/manuals/recipt etc, keet the charger/usb cable but take the twist ties off them and straighten them out, put your contacts in the phone, make sure you take your NZ sim card with you and put it in the phone. Make it look used

kyhwana2

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#630833 26-May-2012 20:01

keewee01:
You could be asked to produce the receipt for it to prove you bought it before you left... now what are you going to do?

What if you bought something second hand?

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