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950NZ will get hit with GST and duty if applicable

Any ideas on how to get around customs?

classic stuff try a front page ad in the nz herald :lol: not many law enforcers use the internet

I could be wrong but I don't think you need to pay tax on 2nd hand goods. You 'may' have to pay GST, but certaily no import tax if applicable.

Pie

Yeah maybe second hand goods arent taxable. Although on the customs website I couldnt find written anywhere.

Give them a ring - 0800 4 CUSTOMS , and ask. You can be as blatent as you want, "what would happen if say someone imported goods worth....and.." , although they probably wont like you.

The easiest way for someone to pay less is to declare it a gift, or perhaps have the unit dissasembled and sent seperately, or perhaps listed as broken. Its the price of the goods - which you'd have to make sure what the sender put on the box.

I have found with customs its more about whining,- once I rang up, and made a silly mistake and incriminated myself(about the value), so hung up and rang straight back to a different operator. :lol:

With aquarium stuff they'll have no idea what its worth other than what's written on it. It's quite a flawed system.

GST kicks in around $700.00, I THINK. So if you had them mailed seperately you will likely avoid it.

A bigger issue may be biosecurity. I nearly purchased a used American skimmer on Ebay, so rang MAF to see if there was any problem bringing in a used skimmer. They told me it was OK but must be declared as used, and would have to be heat treated, by them, for a fee.

You got a bargain so why worry about the minor gst payment. gst kicks in at $400

its only another $118.75

all up it should be $1068.75

Thats sweet even with gst, I'd just have them sent seperately, if you have to pay its no biggie.

But what about MAF, would not 2nd hand gear from an overseas fish tank not be a bio hazard they would have an interest in ? would they let it in ?

yes they will..... if they feel abit funny about it they will clean it

You'll probably end up with a box of melted plastic.

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Keep us posted on the outcome - discreetly !