STG Studios

Shipping from the USA to New Zealand - Confused on how and when GST is applied...?

I have a canon camera, lenses, and other accessories back in the United States. I am currently in New Zealand studying for one semester and would like to have my camera shipped to me here so that I may use it while traveling around the country. It's an expensive bit of equipment and rather important to me so I would insist on having it insured. What I don't understand is how the GST is figured for this type of situation. If I bought the camera in the USA will I have to pay the 12.5%GST on the value of the camera before I can pick it up from the shipping place once it gets to New Zealand? I have heard many different answers - most of which were "I have no idea" - and I haven't been able to find any definitive information online so any help would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!!!
2 seconds ago - 4 days left to answer

GST is likely to be payable - Customs does not distinguish between individuals bringing in one or two items for their own use and businesses bringing them in to use or resell.

If you purchased it and then imported it, you would be liable for customs charges and GST would be calculated on the value + customs charges. http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Private+Importers/Customs+Charges.htm

However, because you are exporting it again within 12 months, you may be able to pay a bond instead, which you would get back when you took it back out of the country within 12 months - see http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Private+Importers/Temporary+Imports.htm#paraTitle01

They have a FAQ about bringing in a computer, which seems analogous to your situation:

"Q
Do I have to pay Customs charges on my computer when I come to New Zealand to study?

A
GST at 12.5 percent may be payable on the computer. The GST is assessed on the purchase price, less depreciation for the length of personal ownership and use, plus international freight and insurance. If the computer will be re-exported within 12 months, and this is identified at time of import, there is provision for a cash deposit to be taken and refunded when evidence of export is produced."

I would contact Customs and clarify if and what charges are payable.

http://www.customs.govt.nz/contactUs.htm

Carrying Photographic Equipment in the Tom Bihn Synapse Backpack

Photographic Prints of Pop Group The Beatles 196 from Mirror Photos £9.00 10x8 Print, Pop Group The Beatles 1964. The Beatles February 1964 George Harrison holding his camera on board the plane en route to New York, USA. Chosen by Mirror Photos. Printed on 254x203mm Fuji Crystal Archive paper for stable image permanence and brilliant colour reproduction with smooth tones, enhanced sharpness, and excellent definition. Size refers to paper used. This item is shipped from ...

Photo Mugs of Pop Group The Beatles 196 from Mirror Photos £10.00 Photo Mug, Pop Group The Beatles 1964. The Beatles February 1964 George Harrison holding his camera on board the plane en route to New York, USA. Chosen by Mirror Photos. Polyester coated dishwasher safe ceramic mug. Weight 11oz, diameter 80mm, height 95mm. Image printed twice where practical and attached using dye sublimation process for seamless appearance and vivid colours. Sent in polystyrene ...

Framed Prints of Pop Group The Beatles 196 from Mirror Photos £60.00 Framed 20x16 Print, Black Grain Bevel with White Mount. , Pop Group The Beatles 1964. The Beatles February 1964 George Harrison holding his camera on board the plane en route to New York, USA. Chosen by Mirror Photos. 51x41cm print in 61x51cm frame with mount individually cut to size. Wood Grain effect Artcore molding. Mount board card with high quality facing papers, core board and backing paper....

Sony Sharp Shooter - Move Compatible (PS3) £28.99 Designed by Killzone creators Guerilla Games in conjunction with SOCOM developers Zipper Interactive, the PlayStation Move Sharp Shooter attachment adapts both the motion controller and navigation controller into a submachine gun form that is perfect for all your hardcore shooter needs. Custom designed to be fully compatible with upcoming PS3 exclusives Killzone 3 and SOCOM 4. Compatible wi...

Sony CMUBR100 Skype Camera for Bravia TV £62.99 Make free video phone calls to friends andfamily from the comfort of your favourite armchair, thanks to the Sony CMU-BR100 Skype webcam. The Sony CMU-BR100 Skype webcam is easy to set up and includes a built-in microphone and pivotinghead. Pictures are rendered with 1280x720-pixel resolution. The Sony CMU-BR100 connects to your TV via USB 2.0.General information:Applications : Multimedia and Inte...

OP/TECH PRO LOOP STRAP - Carrying strap - black £17.95 The PRO LOOP STRAP combines all the same features of the PRO STRAP with a unique connection system for especially tight connection points. The strap loops through the connection area to form a slip knot which "falls" away freely from the camera when in use. This easy-to-attach connection system is a great alternative to OP/TECH USA's patented connector. A simple and extremely secure system you can...

Lenspen Lens Cleaning System + Hurricane Blower + Deluxe 5-Piece Cleaning Kit For The Canon Powershot SX40 Digital Camera £13.99 Kit includes: * 1) Lenspen Lens Cleaning System - The LensPEN LP-1 Lens Cleaning System is the simple and effective way to clean your optics when they get dirty out in the field before the dust, dust, and grime begin to build up, becoming more and more difficult to remove. This is how simple the LensPEN is to use: 1) Slide out the retractable brush, using it to remove any dust particles; 2) Rem...

Ex-Pro® Power-Pro Regulated Switch Mode Power supply [EU, UK, USA, AUS Adapters] - 9V DC, 3.4A £28.97 A plug top switch mode power supply that comes with interchangeable UK, Euro, USA and Australian AC input pins, and also with a choice of six interchangeable DC output connectors (polarity reversible). Any one of the following 20 regulated outputs can be selected by way of a simple push in resistor (complete set supplied, each marked with appropriate voltage rating) which sets the output according...

Ex-Pro® Power-Pro Regulated Switch Mode Power supply [EU, UK, USA, AUS Adapters] - 17V DC, 2.1A £28.97 A plug top switch mode power supply that comes with interchangeable UK, Euro, USA and Australian AC input pins, and also with a choice of six interchangeable DC output connectors (polarity reversible). Any one of the following 20 regulated outputs can be selected by way of a simple push in resistor (complete set supplied, each marked with appropriate voltage rating) which sets the output according...

Ex-Pro® Power-Pro Regulated Switch Mode Power supply [EU, UK, USA, AUS Adapters] - 11V DC, 3.2A £28.97 A plug top switch mode power supply that comes with interchangeable UK, Euro, USA and Australian AC input pins, and also with a choice of six interchangeable DC output connectors (polarity reversible). Any one of the following 20 regulated outputs can be selected by way of a simple push in resistor (complete set supplied, each marked with appropriate voltage rating) which sets the output according...

Tags:   camera · camera equipment usa · equipment · insurance for camera equipment usa · photo · photography · shopping · used camera equipment usaNo Comments