For those of you who have sent cartridges (or any other gear for thsat matter) overseas for repair, how has this been handled from a customs/duty point of view?


That is, did you have to pay gst, duty on the repair cost?

If the value of the repair is over the usual threshold (~NZ$400), then yes. Per this page www.customs.govt.nz/news/updates/pages/gst-on-repairs.aspx-

"If you send goods overseas for repair or refurbishment, they are subject to duty and GST when they are returned. Duty and GST is charged on the repair cost, not the total value of your goods.

The only exceptions are if the repair is free, such as under warranty, or if the duty and GST total is below $60. GST applies to all imports, even if your goods are originally from New Zealand."

I had an amp repaired under warranty, and had to make absolutely sure before I sent it to the US that the paperwork was all in order so that there was no question upon its return that (1) I had already paid duty / GST, and (2) the repairs were free of charge under warranty. So if you're in a similar position then take the requisite care and you won't get burned. If, instead, you are getting something like a Soundsmith re-tip, or a rebuild by the manufacturer outside warranty, then .... good luck to you.

GST calc'd on landed cost incl shipping, of course

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Thanks Mark.

Costs according to whatsmyduty.org.nz make it even less likely that I'll get it rebuilt then

Citroen, I have also been wondering the same thing...

I intend to get my Shelter 501 cartridge re-tipped at some stage, probably by Soundsmith.
Not aware of any local options for this, so unlikely to attract Duty. But hadn't considered the GST implications for freight.
40hz, are there some "exemption" documents that travel with the repaired item?

I was also considering sending my "vintage" DPA Bigger Bit Dac to Chevron Audio in the U.K.
Hoping they could give it a bit of a fettle, upgrade the opamps, check & replace caps etc.

Is anyone aware of a local technician who offers this sort of service?
In other words, upgrades fully functioning / operational digital equipment?

Hi raveydave - worth asking our local techs, see Repairers and technicians - let us know what they say.

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

IME its a real hit and miss affair on duty and taxes. Worst case scenario is that they can really thump you hard, I bought the History of Paramount records set from the states and that cost an absolute fortune in taxes, GST etc. And yet have had guitars sail in with no duty whatsoever, same for the Beatles mono set. My Cal transport cost me duty and GST on the total cost of the item, cartridges back from Melbourne slipped through without notice... Two REL subs I brought back from Singapore, queried at customs but let me through gratis. It pays to be polite.

it usually depends on what the sender declares as the value. quite a few vendors will work with the customer on this, but many won't. it would also affect reparations in the event of the item going missing, although i have never experienced that either within NZ or internationally. some records went missing for 6mths when i returned them, but finally made it.

from comments on various forums re the approachability of soundsmith, it would seem unlikely they would accomodate any requests.

guitardude Guitardude, was the declared value full value for those items that you didn't have to pay duty/gst on when it was due?

My Beatles mono set got hit for fees, so I ended up refusing to accept it and it got sent back.

If I need to pay gst, duty and fees I will do so at the correct declared value. I just need to factor that cost in.

Apr 15, 2017 17:42:19 GMT 12 raveydave said:

... are there some "exemption" documents that travel with the repaired item?

Yes there were, but it is a good few years since I dealt with them, so I can't recall with any great accuracy.  I spoke with Customs first, and basically (as you'd expect) it must be clear that the item in question actually is yours, and starts the relevant journey in NZ before returning from non-charged-for ministrations overseas...

Apr 18, 2017 17:41:23 GMT 12 Citroen said:

My Beatles mono set got hit for fees, so I ended up refusing to accept it and it got sent back.

in recent times, it has actually been the fees that pissed me off the most.  GST and what have you, fine, but - and DHL are the worst in my experience to date - if a shipping company, particularly one the sender has selected, decides it wants to charge me a fee for 'handling', it can take a hike.  I had a protracted 'discussion' with DHL when something requiring the payment of GST was handled by them, and they were completely unable to state the legal basis for a charge against me as recipient.  Suffice it to say I didn't pay it, and if at all possible I will avoid them in future, whichever side of a shipping transaction I am on.

Hi Citroen,

Sorry I cant remember the value of the items involved: suffice to say I was expecting to pay duty, GST etc, and they just landed on my doorstep. As I said it seems quite random if you get charged or not, NB I have had no luck with any of the firms I have ever dealt with writing an invoice of lesser value for taxation purposes !
Like 40Hz I also get peeved at the fees charged for customs clearance and miscellaneous border control fees.

However the way I look at it is that its a swings and roundabouts type of thing, sometimes I will get hit and sometimes I wont. Good Luck !

I have no problem with paying Biosecurity fees, or GST, duty. At least I can understand why they charge them.

As for shipping company fees such as DHL, DON'T GET ME STARTED!

Oh definitely. It's the DHLs of this world I'm talking about. Hopeless.

Doesn't help that they seem to have the NZ Post contract for international deliveries, so Clip Your Ticket, Sir?