Amazon 'Import Fees Deposit'

Forums › Off topic › Amazon 'Import Fees Deposit'

mikerussellnz

283 posts

Ultimate Geek

#75852 24-Jan-2011 19:03

Hi

I am not familiar with buying things on Amazon, but have just gone through an order (not confirmed it though). It has $127.06 in the "Import Fees Deposit".

What does that mean? Is the government going to sting me $127?

Thanks.

1 | 2

BDFL - Memuneh
79266 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#430687 24-Jan-2011 19:23

Never seen it, and ordered something yesterday... Are the items supplied by Amazon? The product page clearly says if they are Amazon or third party, perhaps there are different policies.

mikerussellnz

283 posts

Ultimate Geek

#430688 24-Jan-2011 19:26

The items are supplied by Amazon. From reading it seems that since it is a large order, it is the NZ governments fees charged for importing goods. (BioSecurity etc.)

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79266 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#430690 24-Jan-2011 19:29

Breaking it down in smaller orders will just add to the shipping costs... So it's probably the case of pay or pay...

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#430693 24-Jan-2011 19:33

Because the Government decided (rightfully so) to start going after duty/GST on some imports via postal/courier systems etc, Amazon take a deposit to cover the 'expected' fees, so that if the fees are charged, then the package will get expedited.

Based on the amount of fees they are trying to collect as a deposit, I'm guessing that the value of the item is quite a bit higher than the $400 (incl postage) limit Customs have on enforcement?

That is my understanding anyway, more reading is available at:

* Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=596184&#import
* NZ Customs: http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Private+importers/Customs+charges.htm

I will say a couple of things though:

a) Don't try and disguise the value of the goods/get someone to do it for you, if caught you'll likely be in bigger trouble.
b) Be thankful, that NZ Customs lowered the duty rates on a lot of items before they brought in the new policy
c) If you are insistent on getting the item via Amazon, (even w/ the GST charges/duty etc) then be thankful that they have this scheme, it'll save you a trip to pay the taxman!

And lastly,

d) Don't blame me for not minding these charges, they are a good thing for the economy.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79266 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#430695 24-Jan-2011 19:38

nigelj: Because the Government decided (rightfully so) to start going after duty/GST on some imports via postal/courier systems etc, Amazon take a deposit to cover the 'expected' fees, so that if the fees are charged, then the package will get expedited.

The IRD had not changed the rules yet. They are looking at it. Customs already charge the GST, they just waive it if under $60 to be collected.

If you are importing something that's more than $60 worth of GST then that's why they charge it.

mikerussellnz

283 posts

Ultimate Geek

#430696 24-Jan-2011 19:44

Not a lot over $400, order is $411 before shipping, $446 including shipping. I does seem a huge jump going from $0 payable to $120 payable between $399 and $450.

It may be good for the economy but it's not for the consumer when a lot of items are just not available here full stop.

Can't split the order up as its a single electronic device.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79266 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#430697 24-Jan-2011 19:45

You are just over the $60 threshold...

Tradepub

Free professional, reference and technical white papers (affiliate link).

mikerussellnz

283 posts

Ultimate Geek

#430698 24-Jan-2011 19:47

Will have to wait for the exchange rate to go up :-)

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#430706 24-Jan-2011 20:00

I'd rather arrange the payment of any fees after arrival in NZ.

It is presumptuous of amazon to try and guess any payable fees - and , if they are wrong do they give a refund? I bet they do not.

But, amazon are still a good deal. I was looking at coleman BBQ's - NZ retailers sell for around $600 (http://www.dwights.co.nz/product/227/ColemanPaulJuniorRoadTripGrill.html).

I can import one through amazon for total landed cost of a little over $400 (ehttp://www.amazon.com/Paul-Designs-Coleman-RoadTrip-Grill/dp/B00367PAO0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1295852211&s...).

Also, probably not a good idea to use amazon foreign exchange service either - they sting you for that. Your bank will give a better deal.

Something is not right when you can import a large item like this and even after paying over $200 in postage it is still cheaper.

hairy1

3332 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#430708 24-Jan-2011 20:04

Yeah, I got stung for this on a tablet I bought from Amazon. It states that if the fee is not charged it will be reimbursed but I haven't heard a thing. Will chase up with amazon to see if they can provide a statement of what they were charged. My fee didn't appear to match up with what NZ customs would be charging.

Cheers, Matt.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

mikerussellnz

283 posts

Ultimate Geek

#430740 24-Jan-2011 21:35

When you say don't use Amazon's forex, do you mean change the currency to USD on the Order Summary?

Does that really change what they charge you in?

mikerussellnz

283 posts

Ultimate Geek

#430751 24-Jan-2011 21:47

Hoping the government will raise it to $1000, its currently a big hit for $400, being 25% of the order.

Much cheaper to buy in Aussie, no import tax on under $1000 and with pretty much parity exchange rate with USD.

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#430753 24-Jan-2011 21:49

freitasm:
nigelj: Because the Government decided (rightfully so) to start going after duty/GST on some imports via postal/courier systems etc, Amazon take a deposit to cover the 'expected' fees, so that if the fees are charged, then the package will get expedited.

The IRD had not changed the rules yet. They are looking at it. Customs already charge the GST, they just waive it if under $60 to be collected.

If you are importing something that's more than $60 worth of GST then that's why they charge it.

As I recall, (and was kind of my initial point) NZ Customs only went after Duty (and subsequent GST) on large shipments/items, however the lower cap was some sort of unwritten/unpublished/unknown figure. They then mandated the $50 (and now $60) enforcement rule and has since enforced it on a more active basis.

It's still Duty + GST, The IRD don't really need to change the rules, as the rules have always been there (and I should know after bringing a flat-lot of household items back into the country from Australia).

In fact, from the NZ Customs link from my earlier post "Imported goods, such as those purchased on eBay and other international websites, may be subject to the payment of duty and/or GST."

Out of personal experience, NZ Customs are very reasonable when it comes to their Duty/GST charges though, I ended up by paying less than a third of what I expected to pay in Duty+GST+Import fees when my stuff arrived.

http://www.customs.govt.nz/travellers/Arriving+in+New+Zealand/Customs+Charges.htm is another good reference to where GST comes into the picture.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#430840 25-Jan-2011 08:30

Has anybody had to pay the new $24.75 import transaction fee and $12.50 biosecurity fee on goods that are exempt from GST and duty?

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#430852 25-Jan-2011 08:50

mikerussellnz: Not a lot over $400, order is $411 before shipping, $446 including shipping. I does seem a huge jump going from $0 payable to $120 payable between $399 and $450.

It may be good for the economy but it's not for the consumer when a lot of items are just not available here full stop.

Can't split the order up as its a single electronic device.

You have to pay GST on all goods and services, so I'm pretty sure that includes shipping, insurance and even duties (if applicable). So, GST alone you're looking at about $67. Then there's the $25.30 transaction fee and $12.77 biosecurity levy. Already you're up to $105. You don't say what kind of item you're buying, but could be subject to 5% duty.

411 x 1.05 (duty) = 431.55 + 35 (shipping) = 466.55 x 1.15 (GST) = 536.53 + 25.30 + 12.77 = 574.60 (i.e. $128.60 more than you'd expect).

Which part of that calculation do you not find fair?

1 | 2