Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on importing

[Iloveblingnz]

Hi guys

As the thread title says, are there any kiwis on here who have imported a diamond and /or ring into NZ and are there any tips how to get around duty/tax at either end to help save $$? Seem otherwise we are adding around 18% to buy price + exchange rate on purchase?

Thanks

 

[Just_Starting]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

Exchange rate can't be helped. The tax added onto the purchase isn't so bad (I'm from the UK not NZ). The prices listed on sites such as James Allen don't include any tax - so a lot of places require tax on the purchase anyway, I mention this at first because I thought I would be paying an American tax already then UK tax on top of that. I have not actually bought from them yet but considering it (here it's 20% + another 2.5% if set in jewellery). If you were to go to NY and buy it there it would cost 8.625% I believe is their tax anyway so you're only paying about 10% more. Tax dodging is illegal so you won't be getting any help on here regarding it. Anyway I hope the information I have provided helps.

 

[OoohShiny]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

Thanks for the confirmation re: UK importing, I have been wondering that for a while! I knew about the 20% VAT but not the 2.5% jewellery tax, so loose diamonds it is... lol

I'm not sure how a customs official would ever know the ring on your wife's finger was bought while you were away on holiday, but it's a big risk if they do confiscate them if found, and you have the price of the trip to pay for!

 

[madelise]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

I helped a PSer friend on here. She found a diamond preloved, and had the seller ship it to the PS recommended jeweler to make the setting, and then ship the whole ring to her out in NZ.

As far as I know, there's no way to screw with taxes... and I doubt it's worth getting in trouble over. The $ you save buying from the US should offset any import taxes, no? Otherwise, come pick it up in person and make it an excuse to visit the states!




PS: If you plan on doing anything illegal, like dodging taxes, try not to post it on the internet I never tell the world about the one time I robbed the bank oops. Darnit. You guys weren't supposed to know that.

 

[Chewbacca]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

Hello, I'm the friend madelise is referring to!

I've had packages opened by customs, I personally would not want to take the risk (nor did the vendor sending to me!) of smudging the details on the contents/price!

I believe it does cost more if the jewellery is set, but at the time I wanted a certain vendor (American) to set it!

I think I paid around 20% in GST/duties. I bought an OEC, and I am certain that even with the additional costs it was much cheaper. I'm guessing the case would be the same for modern cuts, but of course I have no experience there!

I used http://www.whatsmyduty.org.nz a lot as I was pricing out my options.

Good luck!

 

[Iloveblingnz]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

Thanks guys, definitely wanted to keep it legal and above board. We have a way here to collect duty free jewellery purchased in the country at the airport on the way out of auckland (internationally) and you don't have to pay duty and tax, saving 20%. I wondered if there were any other tips like this. I was more wondering whether you didnt have to pay us tax as well as it is leaving the country. So from what you are saying, there are different taxes/rules in different states?

 

[puppalini]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

Hi IloveBlingNZ, how much are you looking at spending?

Under the 'Wearing apparel and personal effects concession' Customs rule - which covers clothing, toiletries and personal jewellery - you are allowed to bring in your own jewellery that you have bought duty free.

"These will be admitted free of Customs duty and goods and services tax (GST) irrespective of whether they accompany you or are sent separately, provided they are:
- intended for your own use or wear; and
- personally owned by you; and
- not intended for any other person or persons; and
- not intended for gift, sale or exchange"

Depending on how much you are intending to spend it might actually work out cheaper to fly to the US for a few days' holiday and pick up your ring in person or get the ring company to send it to a FedEx office in the Pacific and go somewhere warm for a few days

 

[Iloveblingnz]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

Puppalini, this is exactly what I'm trying to find out, or one of the ways I could do it - I fly out to raro for 2 weeks next tues 13th and wonder if I can make a USA parcel deliver to the hotel and clear in time before we leave. Otherwise the idea is to buy something in NZ this week (I have mh jewellers bringing in 2 stones on Wed) and collect them gst and duty free when we leave on tues. I haven't been able to find anything on Cook Islands websites about duty and what it will cost. And as much as I would love a trip to the US, with 3 kids under 4 this is not possible!! I like Elleelle stone but not sure about the vg/vg/g as would prefer ex/ex/ex and a smaller carat I think. Advice welcome tho!!

 

[Iloveblingnz]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

Boy this is tough and clock is ticking!!

 

[puppalini]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

Puppalini, this is exactly what I'm trying to find out, or one of the ways I could do it - I fly out to raro for 2 weeks next tues 13th and wonder if I can make a USA parcel deliver to the hotel and clear in time before we leave. Otherwise the idea is to buy something in NZ this week (I have mh jewellers bringing in 2 stones on Wed) and collect them gst and duty free when we leave on tues. I haven't been able to find anything on Cook Islands websites about duty and what it will cost. And as much as I would love a trip to the US, with 3 kids under 4 this is not possible!! I like Elleelle stone but not sure about the vg/vg/g as would prefer ex/ex/ex and a smaller carat I think. Advice welcome tho!!

I don't know about postal times from the US to Raro (lucky you!) but I would be surprised if they can't get it there before you leave Raro on the 27th (ish) if you order asap.

I wouldn't deliver to a hotel though. As soon as it is signed for, your insurance (from the US vendor) ends and you never know who might sign for it. The advice from lovely JamesAllen.com sales people was to get it delivered to a FedEx office where you have to sign for it.

Re doing it from the NZ end, ask the (NZ) jeweller about collecting it duty free. Walker & Hall advertise it on their site as does The Village Goldsmith. I couldn't find anything on their site but Aurum Fine Jewellery does too so maybe ring one of those shops and ask them for more details. It's totally above board as long as the ring is for personal use ie: for you. Also, my understanding is that the jewellery item needs to leave the country (not just the person) to qualify for duty free but you might want to ring customs to check on this one

This is the exact wording from the customs site:

"Wearing apparel and personal effects concession

When entering New Zealand, travellers are entitled to a wearing apparel and personal effects concession which includes the following items: Clothing, Toiletries, Personal jewellery (including watches).

The wearing apparel and personal effects concession covers the above items which may have been acquired duty free in New Zealand or overseas.

These will be admitted free of Customs duty and goods and services tax (GST) irrespective of whether they accompany you or are sent separately, provided they are:
- intended for your own use or wear; and
- personally owned by you; and
- not intended for any other person or persons; and
- not intended for gift, sale or exchange...."

and (from an article on Stuff) .. Customs New Zealand said the practice was legal "as the ring is being exported and then is being returned to NZ as part of the owner's personal effects"

Google 'Duty Free Engagement Rings" and you'll no doubt find many more jewellers who could help. Then you just have to decide whether to buy in NZ and 'export' the ring, or buy in the US and have it sent to Raro.

 

[Iloveblingnz]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

Just found Cook Islands import info and precious metals and stones are on their prohibited list so there goes that idea!

 

[puppalini]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

Just found Cook Islands import info and precious metals and stones are on their prohibited list so there goes that idea!

That seems very odd! How does anyone buy jewellery in the CI?!
Have you actually spoken to a CI customs officer and explained that you are holidaying there and the item is for your own use and will be going home with you ie: not a commercial shipment? I'd want to check and hear that info in person.

 

[puppalini]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

How did you get on Iloveblingnz? Are you going to buy the ring in NZ and utilise the duty free option?

 

[MustangGal]

Re: Any New Zealand buyers on price scope with tips on impor

My sister recently got engaged to a kiwi. He purchased locally and collected it duty free when he flew to the US to propose. Although he way overpaid for a crappy ring from a chain store...

I hope you find a way to get her a lovely ring, good luck!