Have any Kiwis ever tried to bring a new board or sail into NZ that they purchased on holiday as excess baggage? How did you get on with duties and taxes when you arrived home? Do customs actually check your stuff and try to apply charges? Is it possible to pass it off as your board you took with you on holiday?
Going by info on the web, a $1600 board would attract $370 in GST and duties when you bring it into the country!!!
I have been over there twice in the last 6 months taking gear over there each time and left there,never was I asked if gear was new and was greeted by the customs guys with the question "going sailing mate,have a good time"Some of the gear was second hand but there was new gear as well.
just wipe some sand and **** on it and say it second hand
As if the customs guys will know about windsurfing boards
As long as you don't freight anything you'll be sweet. Done Perth and back and Brisbane and back with gear no problem nobody ever asked.
If you past the equipment as being used, N.Z "MAF" will be your main problem.
Any dirt on your kit, you will have major problems for importation.
You will be questioned where the equipment has been used, lakes/ rivers, you will have problems. Saltwater use is OK, "MAF" have an watch for certain areas for the Aus coast line, do not know which areas of Aus are off limits for them?
Wouldn't take the N.Z "MAF" too lightly, fly into N.Z & bring undeclared food thru the border you will cope an instant fine.
As long as it's dry and you give it a wash they won't worry. They will xray everything including triple board bags and if they spot a leaf or piece of seaweed they will unpack it all but I have never had a problem. Also came back from hood river last year and they where happy with everything because it was clean and dry. Simple rule is if your unsure declare it. They won't fine you if you declare it but they get pretty pissed off if you try sneak it through. Even brought in an African drum and porcupine quill once and all they did was send it off to get zapped then couriered it to me all for free.
Agree that it is a good idea to declare stuff for quarantine in customs. When coming in from OS to Australia I always take a plastic packaged bag of lollies or similar in. Then when you get to the mile long customs que you can simply jump across to the "declare" section and have your food inspected and away you go. Spent a while working in Malaysia at the Bredero Price pipe coating yard and commuted on a weekly basis. I used to go through the foot and mouth declaration so that my boots would be cleaned spotlessly by quarantine officers while I sat and waited for this service rather than stand in a que stuck behind someone having a full search because they didn't declare a wooden souvenier in the nothing to declare line.
Would have thought that putting your "used" board through the MAF declaration channel if applicable would be a nice touch.
No problem - have commuted for several years with my windsurfing kit between Aus & NZ and its always gone straight through customs with my other luggage. Nb with about 1/3 trips the boards in padded bags still get dinged on the rails near the tail so its worth wrapping a wetsuit or harness around the tail for extra padding.
No problems bro.
In the last year I've bought back five sails and one board, all brand new, into NZ from Hong Kong via Australia ie had to collect the gear in Aussie, clear customs and re-check it in for the fight to NZ.
I was never once asked anything by any customs agent in either Aussie or NZ. Always asked by the MAF guys whats in the bag, tell them its brand new and they just send you thru the xray as normal.
Caveat; this is coming into Welly which is about as laid back as you can get in this part of the world.
