The Customs website specifically says: If you buy something from overseas and then change your mind or it doesn’t fit and return it, you cannot claim a refund of GST.
Wow - so what's the bet that if they (the buyer) are getting the next size up that customs just go ahead and charge you GST and duty all over again! Thieves indeed!
If they really don't want people to work out ways to get around the system or cheat the system then the system needs to be fair
It says you don't get a refund if you 'change you mind' but in some cases a refund is the only option if it is defective or not as advertised etc. I can't see why people can't apply for a refund from the IRD if you can prove it was redunded, otherwise they are making revenue from no service or product being provided. But when it comes to some legislation, some things don't make sense.
richms: IMO its a risk you take personally importing things.
Dont want the risk, buy from someone locally who has already taken the risk and marked it up.
Maybe that is why we pay so much more for some things in NZ. But it isn't great for the NZ economy having to pay more, just to cover these types of compliance costs. By not refunding GST on returned goods, the government are essentially making money from nothing. I guess they will argue that the cost to mange refunds is cost prohibitive.
richms: IMO its a risk you take personally importing things.
Dont want the risk, buy from someone locally who has already taken the risk and marked it up.
Maybe that is why we pay so much more for some things in NZ. But it isn't great for the NZ economy having to pay more, just to cover these types of compliance costs. By not refunding GST on returned goods, the government are essentially making money from nothing. I guess they will argue that the cost to mange refunds is cost prohibitive.
I think its ridiculous that we need to pay GST twice. Pay the GST overseas, and then pay the NZ Government some more. Ching ching
Slightly off topic. How come certain countries like South Africa allow tourists to claim back GST/VAT on items purchased inside SA when leaving the country? Why don't we do it?
richms: IMO its a risk you take personally importing things.
Dont want the risk, buy from someone locally who has already taken the risk and marked it up.
Maybe that is why we pay so much more for some things in NZ. But it isn't great for the NZ economy having to pay more, just to cover these types of compliance costs. By not refunding GST on returned goods, the government are essentially making money from nothing. I guess they will argue that the cost to mange refunds is cost prohibitive.
I think its ridiculous that we need to pay GST twice. Pay the GST overseas, and then pay the NZ Government some more. Ching ching
Slightly off topic. How come certain countries like South Africa allow tourists to claim back GST/VAT on items purchased inside SA when leaving the country? Why don't we do it?
Pretty sure we do, there's a threshold though from memory
Edit I stand corrected http://www.nzembassy.com/japan/going-to-new-zealand/about-new-zealand
richms: IMO its a risk you take personally importing things.
Dont want the risk, buy from someone locally who has already taken the risk and marked it up.
Maybe that is why we pay so much more for some things in NZ. But it isn't great for the NZ economy having to pay more, just to cover these types of compliance costs. By not refunding GST on returned goods, the government are essentially making money from nothing. I guess they will argue that the cost to mange refunds is cost prohibitive.
I think its ridiculous that we need to pay GST twice. Pay the GST overseas, and then pay the NZ Government some more. Ching ching
Slightly off topic. How come certain countries like South Africa allow tourists to claim back GST/VAT on items purchased inside SA when leaving the country? Why don't we do it?
You can do it if you buy from the UK too and come back to NZ with those goods. I am not sure if they allow tourists to do when they leave from NZ or not?
You can do it if you buy from the UK too and come back to NZ with those goods. I am not sure if they allow tourists to do when they leave from NZ or not?
If I can get a refund on my GST/VAT from overseas then I have no problem paying GST to the NZ government.
But If NZ does not even refund our tourists GST when they leave here, I think its very unethical that they expecting us citizens to cough up twice.
Not the same thing, but talking about being taxed twice.
I recently bought some clothing from the UK and queried them about whether VAT should have been discounted at checkout, they said they don't distinguish between EU and non-EU customers so charge VAT on everything.
In this instance they did give me a 20% "special discount" for seemingly just asking the question, but why would they be charging non-EU customers VAT in the first place? They don't have to pay it on goods they sell to foreign buyers do they?
It would really annoy me if I paid VAT and then had to pay GST here as well.
Paul1977: Not the same thing, but talking about being taxed twice.
I recently bought some clothing from the UK and queried them about whether VAT should have been discounted at checkout, they said they don't distinguish between EU and non-EU customers so charge VAT on everything.
In this instance they did give me a 20% "special discount" for seemingly just asking the question, but why would they be charging non-EU customers VAT in the first place? They don't have to pay it on goods they sell to foreign buyers do they?
It would really annoy me if I paid VAT and then had to pay GST here as well.
I've had no problems buying stuff from the UK ex VAT, sounds like this vendor likes the additional margin
Paul1977: Not the same thing, but talking about being taxed twice.
I recently bought some clothing from the UK and queried them about whether VAT should have been discounted at checkout, they said they don't distinguish between EU and non-EU customers so charge VAT on everything.
In this instance they did give me a 20% "special discount" for seemingly just asking the question, but why would they be charging non-EU customers VAT in the first place? They don't have to pay it on goods they sell to foreign buyers do they?
It would really annoy me if I paid VAT and then had to pay GST here as well.
I've had no problems buying stuff from the UK ex VAT, sounds like this vendor likes the additional margin
That's how it seems, unless they genuinely don't make the distinction and just pay VAT on everything as if it was a local sale (even the stuff they technically don't have too). But that would be a stupid business model.
In regards to the original question, can't the replacements be marked as such "Replacement goods - no GST payable", or something to that effect?
GST is calculated on what you pay for the goods, and you haven't paid anything for the replacement items.
EDIT: Men's clothing is subject to 10% customs too, so sucks if they make you pay that twice too. And don't forget the import entry fee, or the biosecurity fee.
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