Nuwanda: I suggest you call NZ Post and ask. That's what I intend to do as I have some purchases planned for next month and don't intend to be stung.
But I would like to point a couple of things out that may help.
Here's the Customs website calculator with the threshold of $400. As you can see $98.07 has been applied as fees.
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This is how the $98.07 is made up:
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I'm assuming that the additional $38.07 fee is what NZ Post refer to as the agent's fee for which they appear to charge $135.
I would confirm this with NZ Post and ask specifically how you can nominate yourself to handle the Customs fees *before* the parcel is sent to NZ.So does it mean that in case my item gets above the 400$ mark, not only i pay gst but i also pay a additional $135 to NZ post? Is this right??
If you let me NZPost be your broker then yes, otherwise no but possibly a fee if you choose another broker.
No the IETF goes to the government for various purposes. Everyone who is charged duty has to pay it (more or less). See the What's My Duty FAQ. The $135 that NZ Post charges includes the IETF, but it also includes the agent or brokerage fee meaning the amount NZ Post charge you to deal with the paperwork etc for clearance. See NZ Post's FAQ. Customs doesn't know about any brokerage or agents fees since thats between you and our agent, if you use one.