New customs fees on goods imported to NZ

Forums › Off topic › New customs fees on goods imported to NZ

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#62622 10-Jun-2010 21:14

Bad news to people who import anything over $50 in value.

Customs are going to charge 24.75 on imports over $50 in value.

So, if you import 2 cd's with value of $50 ( i think it includes shipping fees when calculating price), customs will bill you an extra $24.75.

Apparently to cover their costs.

Check their website for details. It is a bit confusing, they say they will also charge a biosecurity fee of $12.50, not sure if this is on top of the $24.75???

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

4360 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2116

#340439 10-Jun-2010 21:55

most people dont have to worry about it , import transactions that are exempt from the ITF? (import transaction fee)

Goods that:

* accompany a passenger on a craft; and
* are for the person?s own personal, non commercial use and not for resale.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

Bung

6768 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2951

Subscriber

#340442 10-Jun-2010 22:07

Time for some facts

From 1 July 2010, the New Zealand Customs Service will begin applying an import transaction fee (ITF) of $24.75 ($22 plus GST) to a range of import consignments which were previously exempt from the fee.

In addition to the current range of clearances, the ITF will from 1 July 2010 be charged on:

private import consignments on which duty and GST of more than the $50 de minimis is payable

unaccompanied passengers’ baggage and personal effects where these exceed $400 in value

“voluntary” import entries for consignments valued at below the de minimis

Temporary Import Entries.

A MAF Biosecurity system entry levy (BSEL) of $12.50 (including GST) will also be charged whenever an ITF is applied.

wreck90 the value is whatever would attract a Duty and/or GST of $50 or more.

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#340459 10-Jun-2010 22:35

This is what Consumer has said.....

"Generally the ITF will apply to goods valued over $400 but at times packages valued at less than $400 will attract the fee.

The fee will apply to all import items such as jewellery, clothing and electrical appliances.

A MAF Biosecurity system entry levy (BSEL) of $12.50 (including GST) will also be charged whenever an ITF is applied."

To me, this sounds like the new fee applies some items regardless of cost. Or, maybe it is just badly worded.

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#340462 10-Jun-2010 22:40

vexxxboy: most people dont have to worry about it , import transactions that are exempt from the ITF? (import transaction fee)

Goods that:

* accompany a passenger on a craft; and
* are for the person?s own personal, non commercial use and not for resale.

I don't know if you are right, this is a table that I have seen, and it applies to private importers according to customs. ....

Bung

6768 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2951

Subscriber

#340472 10-Jun-2010 23:17

wreck90:
vexxxboy: most people dont have to worry about it , import transactions that are exempt from the ITF? (import transaction fee)

Goods that:

* accompany a passenger on a craft; and
* are for the person?s own personal, non commercial use and not for resale.

I don't know if you are right, this is a table that I have seen, and it applies to private importers according to customs.

What isn't immediately obvious is the "and". it's not 2 separate bullet points.

Some things don't use the $400 rule because thay still have duty which is calculated before GST.

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#340480 10-Jun-2010 23:43

So, if there is duty, the itf and bsel fees will apply regardless of cost.

If there is no duty, the ITF/BSEL is ony charged if total price > $400.

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

richms

29251 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10361

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#340487 11-Jun-2010 00:26

Anyone got any clarification if this means an end to the realitivly painless ordering of cheap chinese junk off deal extreme etc?

Richard rich.ms

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 267

Trusted

#340506 11-Jun-2010 03:42

From that table, it is obvious that the $24.75 and $12.50 are only charged if the GST+Duty are over $50. It does not apply if only the value of the items is over $50.

If you order cheap chinese junk of deal extreme, or a couple of CDs, then the GST+Duty payable will liekly be under $50 so no charge. In the third example, if $260 of jewellery was bought, duty would be $13, so GST value would be $293 (incl $20 shipping). GST payable would be $36.63, GST+Duty = $49.63, so no extra charges there.

Also, note the $400 "limit" on goods with no duty will change come October too.

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 259

#340603 11-Jun-2010 12:48

Is it only me who feels that we are getting gouged by customs import fees? In this day and age where it is easy to purchase goods online from overseas, the customs fees are making it uneconomical to do so.

For example, I purchased a pair of jeans from Amazon a couple of days ago. They are a brand that you cannot get in NZ. With the value of the jeans plus shipping costs, it will take me over the customs fee NZD$50 minimum, and I'll be looking at total fees of in excess of NZD$100 (that's if they pick this shipment up).

I am importing one pair for personal use, not 100 pairs to sell in a shop. I just don't really get it...

old3eyes

9170 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1369

Subscriber

#340607 11-Jun-2010 13:02

Sounds like the Gov is trying to gouge back the tax cuts they are giving us . ETS, GST to 15%, ACC increases and now this. Sounds like this Gov has got the European government disease of increasing taxes until you can't afford to buy anything..

Regards,

Old3eyes

markh14

95 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#340618 11-Jun-2010 13:29

So help me understand. I buy a new computer from the usa for NZ$1000 and get it delivered to New Zealand, do I have to pay any custom fee and if I do then does customs hold onto the computer and then call me to come pay? How does customs know I would be buying the computer instead of it being a gift?

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 259

#340623 11-Jun-2010 13:40

markh14: So help me understand. I buy a new computer from the usa for NZ$1000 and get it delivered to New Zealand, do I have to pay any custom fee and if I do then does customs hold onto the computer and then call me to come pay? How does customs know I would be buying the computer instead of it being a gift?

Assuming the $1000 includes shipping, by my calculations your total fees would be $150-$160, and customs would hold on to it until you paid up...

Gifts have a $110 rebate. So if you can prove it is a gift for a special occasion such as a birthday, wedding, anniversary etc (wording from the Customs website), then you can take $110 off the total value of the goods and calculate the fees after that. So in your case fees would be payable based on the value of $890.00, approx $150 in fees...

I'm going to end this email now as I'm riling myself up...

markh14

95 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#340644 11-Jun-2010 15:04

But how does customs know what is inside the box and how much it's worth?

How can customs contact me if only my name and address is on the box on not my phone number?

Satch

1985 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 259

#340647 11-Jun-2010 15:10

markh14: But how does customs know what is inside the box and how much it's worth?

How can customs contact me if only my name and address is on the box on not my phone number?

If the value is not declared on the package, then their website says that they will estimate the value themselves (which will probably be an estimate based on NZ prices and not the cheaper US price you may have obtained it for). Their estimation could work out a lot worse for you...

Oh and good point about them contacting you. With only your name and address, a Government department has no show of finding you...

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 267

Trusted

#340649 11-Jun-2010 15:12

Satch: Is it only me who feels that we are getting gouged by customs import fees? In this day and age where it is easy to purchase goods online from overseas, the customs fees are making it uneconomical to do so.

For example, I purchased a pair of jeans from Amazon a couple of days ago. They are a brand that you cannot get in NZ. With the value of the jeans plus shipping costs, it will take me over the customs fee NZD$50 minimum, and I'll be looking at total fees of in excess of NZD$100 (that's if they pick this shipment up).

I am importing one pair for personal use, not 100 pairs to sell in a shop. I just don't really get it...

Really, the only part you can be unhappy with is the customs charge. GST and duty are payable. Why shouldn't they be? Is your argument any less strong if you say "looking at total fees of in excess of NZD$75?"

1 | 2 | 3 | 4