Importing iPhone 5s from Australia?

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mme

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#129518 18-Sep-2013 14:23

Hi All,

I am thinking about buying an iPhone 5s 64GB online from Apple Australia on Friday and having a friend forward the package to me in New Zealand.

Will it get charged by customs and how much? or can it be considered a 'gift' and just be able to receive it?

Any other tips or suggestions?

Thanks.

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#897732 18-Sep-2013 14:48

Yes you will get charged duty on it if the declared value is over $400NZ.

Use the calculator to work out how much

billgates

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#897743 18-Sep-2013 15:02

Even if it's declared as a gift, Customs still has the right and do charge people GST and import fees. This is the case specially with expensive electronics products. You will also not be covered with any warranty here in NZ. Best to wait for an official launch in NZ.

Do whatever you want to do man.

Batman

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#897791 18-Sep-2013 15:56

But if physically carried out of australia you can claim oz gst back (1/11th of the price)

Dar3dev

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#897908 18-Sep-2013 18:29

I'm buying the 5c when I'm over in Sydney next week and claiming GST back at the border. Comes to a total of $740 NZ so no need to declare it :)

jeffnz

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#897909 18-Sep-2013 18:31

Dar3dev: I'm buying the 5c when I'm over in Sydney next week and claiming GST back at the border. Comes to a total of $740 NZ so no need to declare it :)

why no need to declare it?

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billgates

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#897915 18-Sep-2013 18:37

Dar3dev: I'm buying the 5c when I'm over in Sydney next week and claiming GST back at the border. Comes to a total of $740 NZ so no need to declare it :)

Goods over the value of NZ$700 need to be declared to customs at the NZ airport.

Do whatever you want to do man.

Dar3dev

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#897917 18-Sep-2013 18:39

Bugger I thought it was $800!

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chiefie

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#897922 18-Sep-2013 18:45

Buy it, open up the box - you may ditch the box or store it in your luggage but personally carry the phone as with you as part of your carry-on, and possibly has it being active as well.

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Dar3dev

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#897924 18-Sep-2013 18:48

chiefie: Buy it, open up the box - you may ditch the box or store it in your luggage but personally carry the phone as with you as part of your carry-on, and possibly has it being active as well.

Hmm yeah I did think of that. I've entered the country 7 times so far this year and never been asked to actually show my personal effects but my luck I would get a call on my blue iPhone 5C in the queue ha ha

jeffnz

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#897925 18-Sep-2013 18:56

chiefie: Buy it, open up the box - you may ditch the box or store it in your luggage but personally carry the phone as with you as part of your carry-on, and possibly has it being active as well.

hmmm are we allowed to advise on ways to break customs regulations

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dickytim

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#898154 19-Sep-2013 06:59

Is it really breaking customs regulations, what is being suggested is that the user should use the item, which makes in personal effects and not applicable to the $700 limit.

That is how it was explained to me by someone who worked for customs.

Batman

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#898160 19-Sep-2013 07:06

They are more worried about your uneaten toast than your iPhone

Klipspringer

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#898214 19-Sep-2013 08:23

dickytim: Is it really breaking customs regulations, what is being suggested is that the user should use the item, which makes in personal effects and not applicable to the $700 limit.

That is how it was explained to me by someone who worked for customs.

Thats actually incorrect because an iphone does not fit the Customs definition of "personal item"

See Overseas purchases & travellers' concessions on the NZ Customs website.

If questioned about it on arrival, the onus will be on you to prove that the iphone does not attract GST. And because its an iphone 5s/c, well we all know that you cannot buy them yet in NZ.

Saying that, its highly unlikely that you will be questioned about it. The point here is that yes it is breaking customs regulations. You should declare it. Claim your GST back when leaving Aus. You will then have the money to pay the GST here of required.

Lizard1977

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#898351 19-Sep-2013 11:14

I have a similar question about buying an unlocked iPhone 5S when I'm in the States next month. The Apple Store lists the 32GB model as $749USD. Does anyone know if this includes US sales tax? If it does, then presumably I can claim the sales tax back at the border. Going by the current exchange rates of about 83c in the dollar, if the listed price includes tax then even with NZ GST paid upon arrival back in NZ it will cost about $900NZD, less than the unlocked price here in NZ. If sales tax isn't added on, then it would be about $1042NZ - still less than the estimated $1200 for an unlocked 32GB model in NZ.

Or have I missed something?

Behodar

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#898367 19-Sep-2013 11:42

The US price does not include tax. It also doesn't support LTE band 7 which *may* be an issue with Telecom's not-yet-launched network (but it's no worse than the NZ iPhone 5 in that regard).

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