hello mr mailman

[francois1]

i ordered a pipe from the states great been waiting like

a kid for santa to arrive 4 weeks later a little frustrated

arrive home from work and great a collection notice

from the post office COLLECT ITEM customs duty $30 to be

paid so look forward tomorrow to my new pipe minus$30

so be it the tax man strikes again

david(SCOTLAND)

 

[olderthandirt]

great a collection notice

from the post office COLLECT ITEM customs duty $30

Arrgghhhh for sure.

What is it that triggers a customs duty? Declared value?

 

[schmitzbitz]

If Scotland is anything like Canada, they look at a couple of things. First off, what is the product? With tobacco, our Canadian laws state the following (in my own words, mind):

It is legal to import (either through the mail, or in person following 24h in the U.S.) up to 200g of loose tobacco, 200 cigarettes, or 20 cigars without incurring duty. It is admissable to import up to 1kg of loose tobacco, 1000 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, however duty will be due on the entire shipment. Any larger shipments require a special "tobacco import license".

In addition, the general goods duty laws are applicable; any shipments with a total declared value of less than $20 CAD will be delivered without incurring duty.

It should be noted that if I were to order 201g, or a declared value of $20.25; I would incur duty on the entire order, not only the amount that exceeds the "duty free" limits.

Of course, I still save on GST and PST, and B&M mark-ups, making it cheaper to order from the U.S. and take the hit. :crazy:

 

[olderthandirt]

Thanks for that input schmitz!

What with trades going on between members located in various countries it could be worthwhile perhaps to have a sticky with info such as you've outlined to act as a guidline of sorts.

 

[seanz]

First ive heard of duty on a pipe though. baccy i know and sorta grudginly understand. (cant have our retailers losing pocket)

 

[schmitzbitz]

Sean - nabbed these gems from the NZ Customs website, regarding importation of goods via mail; seems you guys do have a maximum allowable dollar amount as well:

Goods mailed into New Zealand may be subject to import duty. Import duties are calculated on the Customs value of the goods in New Zealand dollars.
The goods may also be subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 15%, based on the Customs value of the goods, and including the duty (if any) and postal/courier charges.
Goods liable for duty and GST of NZ$60 or more cannot be released until the charges are paid.
There will also be an import entry transaction fee (IETF) of $25.30 (including GST) and a MAF Biosecurity risk-screening levy of $12.77 (including GST) – totalling $38.07.​

Customs does not collect duty and GST where the total revenue payable on any one importation is less than $60.​

However, the $60 exemption provision does not apply to alcohol or tobacco products. These will attract duty and GST in whatever quantity they are imported.​

What I can't help but wonder is if the IETF and MAF Bio-Security screening are still due on packages with a value less than $60 NZD?

 

[hobie1dog]

taxes...gotta love em

 

[francois1]

the reason why i want to get pipes from the states is there is a great

selection which i cant get online here in the uk .Maybe i will look

at europe because it has something to do with being part of the

eu i am going to have to brows around maybe worth it for me pitty

because the different selections of pipes in the state is ausome

david(SCOTLAND)

 

[seanz]

What I can't help but wonder is if the IETF and MAF Bio-Security screening are still due on packages with a value less than $60 NZD?

I am sure i will find out soon enough

 

[francois1]

SEANZ my internet will be smoking /overheating in browsing

david

 

[dhintonca]

FWIW, I've just received 6 oz from Pipes&Cigars.com -- 7 days delivery time, no duty or taxes (to Vancouver, BC). So far so good - that's the 2nd shipment this year that has got in ok!