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Thread ID: 49767	2004-09-29 23:48:00	Semi- Off Topic: Bringing PC equipment back into NZ after travel	somebody (208)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
277057	2004-09-29 23:48:00	I'm planning on travelling overseas at the end of this year, and might pick up some computer bits and pieces to bring back with me for my personal use. Although they'll probably be low value items (less than NZ$500 all up), if I see a good bargain I might get myself a laptop. Would I need to pay GST or some sort of tax when I re-enter NZ? I know this post has been done before, but the topic there was slightly different to my post.	somebody (208)
277058	2004-09-29 23:55:00	nope, your sweet, you can bring any amount of $$ worth of goods back to NZ as far as I understand (correct me if I am wrong) if you are going to sell the goods though you can bring a max of NZ $700 without paying tax. I found out all this info from googleing. I might be wrong and i'm sure others will point that out if i am	fus1_n (3818)
277059	2004-09-30 00:05:00	Hello, As far as I'm aware, you used to have to pay 12 . 5% GST on anything over $700 in value . However, just having a look now, it seems it has since changed . You will be fine with computers . No such duty exist now, look here ( . customs . govt . nz/importers/private+importers/customs+charges . asp" target="_blank">www . customs . govt . nz) under 'Computers (Home)' and you will see that it says its free I think they may of changed it due to many changes in the way we do business, most people carry laptops everywhere theres day, so you will often hear the excuse, it was for work (and hence they will create some random documents before entry, just in case proof of it been used is required) . All in all, your safe! Have a fun trip! Oh! and watch for warranty issues to, try and get international warranty if you can, should anything go wrong upon return	~~~~~ s y ~~~~~ (2054)
277060	2004-09-30 00:09:00	Argh! Sorry, it seems the Labour Government aint that nice after all. What I told you was that the customs duty was free, but you still have to pay GST (www.customs.govt.nz) as well as $18 import transaction fee.	~~~~~ s y ~~~~~ (2054)
277061	2004-09-30 02:12:00	Thanks ~~~~~ s y ~~~~~. Looks like I will have to do some maths before I decide whether or not to get anything which totals over $700.	somebody (208)
277062	2004-09-30 04:23:00	Be very careful when buying "cheap" computer gear overseas, especially in Honk Kong but anywhere in Asia. Cheap and imitation are words that apply to goods other than watches - good packaging and shrink-wrapping do not necessarily mean it is authentic. Additionally, do not go near any cheap software, especially in the markets. Buy from standard retail outlets and, if it is going to be expensive, look for an international guarantee. Also, make a list of the NZ prices of anything that you may be interested in so you can make some valid comparisons. NZ prices are generally quite good and it sometimes better to pay a little more here so you have a local warranty to fall back on if things go wrong. The best advice I can give is that which is generally used about investments - "if it seems to good to be true.....................!! Ray	Raymondo (5284)
277063	2004-09-30 05:05:00	Thanks Raymondo. I definetely won't go near the dodgy markets for "cheap software" and cheap gear. I will be very wary of warranties, but if the particular item i'm buying is only worth $50, it might not be worth it (with freight etc. in the event of a warranty claim). I have some friends who have lived there for a while who I can ask for recommendations etc. as to good places to visit.	somebody (208)
277064	2004-09-30 05:20:00	Its not Asia its anwhere in the world really. If in the USA you could buy many mechandise that are advertise in very low prices. When you get there they will never sell that alone but insist you buy the manual, the box, the disk etc... which then becomes more $$ than the same product at a reputable store... In NZ I remember when I bought some blank floppy disks when I was young the guy tried to slap a $20 GST on it... I have been there when retailers say the part I took back for warranty was not their's but admitted the receipt was there's.. Basically in HK I know if you don't look like a local and speak like one you need to watch the product you bought is actually the one being given to you. The credit card is used in front of you, they have those scanners which they can dubb credit cards and hack your PIN #. If you are looking for demos they would tend to have the really expensive models tuned fine but the cheaper ones are wired so they perform v badly .... therefore you think you really have to the get the best to be just adequate. Most of the stores are around the tourist belt, which they target the unaware ... A laptop may have a international warranty but parts are v unlikely to have this.... Just like in NZ, would you find an individual part with intl warranty? Exceptions may be a laptop's CD Drive, portable printer, GSM model and the likes.... Laptop should not be a problems. Just tell them you use it for normal stuff and its not exactly new ... like digial photography ..... If GST amounts to $50NZ then they would need to tax you for items they deem viable such as your loose comp parts if you bring any back ...	nomad (3693)
277065	2004-09-30 05:34:00	if you want some reliable stores try a forum like lonelyplanet.com or check the book out. there are reliable stores in the v same street as the dodgy dealers are located. you need word of mouth to know which is which. cheap softwares are not just markets. you could go via a shopping mall and its all there pirated and as well as authentic. these two can be situated couple of metres apart from each other. Computer Consultants - causwway bay Golden Plaze Shopping Centre - Sham Shui Poi Monk Kok shopping cenrre - Winframe System New Capital Computer Plaza Star Computer City - a chain store. Hk can be 20-33% less than here. They do not have GST. while you're there if you want cameras etc.. MOng kok has Wing Shing Centra stn = Photo Scientific - where the local pro's go to...	nomad (3693)
277066	2004-09-30 05:49:00	Thanks for the advice Nomad. I'm actually going to Taipei, Taiwan. It's slightly better than other places in terms of dodgy stuff, but since 90% (just a guess) of NZ computer imports come from there, as long as I stick with brand names it should be fine. I have some friends who have lived there for 20+years, so they will be able to recommend places which are reliable and cheap etc. I will definetely keep an eye out for dodgy places, and keep credit cards secure - paying cash is probably the safest way..	somebody (208)
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