Name of the Organization : New Zealand Customs Service
Type of Facility : Internet Shopping
Country : New Zealand
Website : https://www.customs.govt.nz/
Internet Shopping :
Before shopping online, you need to be aware that you may have to pay Customs charges and/or GST on top of the advertised purchase price when the goods arrive in New Zealand.
Related : New Zealand Customs Service Import Clearance & Entry Procedures : www.statusin.org/6863.html
The Government does not currently collect GST on lower value goods for practical reasons and a 2011 review found it was not cost effective to collect GST and Customs duty (where applicable) if the amount totals less than $60.
You can use our online estimator What’s My Duty to estimate how much duty you may need to pay on many commonly imported items.
You should also be aware of what goods cannot be brought into the country or which goods need approval before bringing in.
Before ordering, make sure of the import regulations as they apply to you, and what charges may be due on the goods you wish to bring in.
Online Duty Estimator : whatsmyduty [dot] org [dot] nz
Tips for internet shopping:
Check the total purchase price of online goods
When buying overseas goods online, be aware that tax and duty may be charged on top of the purchase price once the goods arrive. Check to see whether your goods qualify for concessions, or whether they will attract charges. If charges are not paid, either by the retailer or by the receiver, the goods may be seized. See Customs charges, duties and allowances.
Currency conversion:
To help you to accurately gauge what your purchases will cost in NZ$ terms, use the Customs rates of exchange.
Using the What’s My Duty? calculator:
What’s My Duty? is the easy way to estimate how much duty and/or GST you may need to pay to Customs if you’re buying goods from overseas.
The overseas value of purchases will be converted to NZ$ using the Customs rates of exchange, which may differ slightly from the actual daily bank rates.
If the amount to be paid to Customs is under $60, this will be waived, but if it’s $60 or more, you’ll have to pay any duty and GST plus an Import Entry Transaction Fee and MPI levy.
Gifts bought online for someone else:
Ordering and paying for goods over the Internet, to be sent to someone other than you, does not count as a gift and the recipient will be liable for any duties and taxes that are payable.
On the other hand, a gift – which is something sent directly by one private individual to another – will not attract duties or charges if its value is less that NZ$110.
Make sure the supplier completes an accurate Customs declaration:
Goods arriving in New Zealand by post or courier must have a Customs declaration completed by the sender and affixed to the package.
The declaration should include:
** a description of the goods
** their value
** whether they are gifts, commercial or personal items.
False declarations:
Some websites will offer to show a value on the Customs declaration much lower than the actual price paid; this is so that you won’t have to pay duty and/or GST when the goods come into New Zealand.
By law, however, you are the importer of the goods and are legally responsible for the information on the Customs declaration.
If you are ordering goods over the Internet, it is in your interest to make sure that the sender gives an accurate declaration. If the information is inaccurate, or no declaration is made, the package may be delayed while Customs makes further enquiries. Sometimes the goods will be seized and you will be liable for any charges.
Banned or restricted goods:
There are certain goods that you are not allowed to have sent to New Zealand under any circumstances. A number of other goods have restrictions placed on them. This is to protect New Zealand from crime, pests and diseases. To find out more about what goods are banned or restricted go to prohibited and restricted imports.
Getting more help and advice:
If you need more information about buying goods from abroad on the Internet, you can phone Customs on 0800 4 CUSTOMS (0800 428 786).