Anyone pay TAXes for sony Imports??

Firstly, I know there has been a few discussions about Taxes, but I am rather looking for some solutions....

Ok, here in NZ, GST is 12.5%. I ranged up to double check.
That is....they will charge me 12.5% GST for what I have paid-for + some surcharges.!!

I honestly think 12.5% is a lot... Given that the laptop (Sony TZ) I will be paying is about 330,000 yen , which is about 3800 NZD (and about 2800-2900 USD)

I will be paying quite a lot of money for the taxes..... That is about 480NZD !! (about 300USD+)
Im using Conics btw... Payment has not yet transferred..

Has anyone contacted Conics and asked for 'Gift' or under-values, etc before?
Or Has anyone got away from the taxes....?
If so, should I tell conics to make it gift-box? etc..?

BTW: hows ppl with Conics? Good? any 'recent' sony TZ purchases and received? if so, how long did they take..?? Are the TZ very limited currently?


Thanks..

 

I bought a Sony laptop from the USA 2 years ago (I live in Aus) they will check it because unless you want to ship it uninsured, the insured amount is taken to be the legal declared value, You will be charged your 12.5% and the processing fee regardless of wether you say its a gift or not, Customs is not stupid.

 

I asked Conics to under value mine. The value I asked will mean that I do not pay taxes, but I also run the risk of it being rejected and me needing to pay shipping costs again. I'm willing to take the risk of it being stolen and rejected.

Note though, I was only able to ask them to under value due to paying by bank transfer. If you pay by CC, they can not under value. They said this is due to CC customers being able to charge back if they are stolen, and CC companies asking for shipping and insurance proof, etc.

 

Nanaki, cheers

Ok, Im also paying by Bank Trasnfer. They gave me this account number, located in Japan. Did you simply go to your local Bank to transfer ?
Any receipt? How would they (Conics) confirm that I have paid? They could simply sais they did not receive one.....

Cheers.

 

I transferred to their Australian account, considering I live here and can avoid the fees. I used my banks Internet website to transfer the money. I have transferred internationally once before using my net account, but I had to wait a day for them to enable it on my account. It may well be easier to dash off to your local bank.

I would use either my order number or full name. I was told to use my name while chatting with Brett. Although, I nagged him so much that my name was probably enough.

I did not get a receipt for my payment.

 

I really hope nothing goes wrong with you guys, your leaving alot to chance.

 

You and me both.

Life is boring if you never take risks.

 

In Germany you would have to pay 19% VAT on imports, in Austria even 20%...

BTW (only interesting for readers from Europe): The "gift" or "returning repaired goods" tactics which Conics "offers" will not work in countries of the European Union. Gifts are only free of import tax and free of VAT if their value is not higher than 22 Euro (= 30 US-$).

And a (returning) repaired item is only free of import tax and VAT if it has been reported to customs before you have sent it abroad for repairs. Otherwise you will have to pay import tax and VAT... even on returning repaired goods.

So, in countries of European Union only "undervalue" will work.

 

Exactly Mr. Bonk. I was planning to declare the TZ as a returned good with the LCD repaired under warranty. Conics advice me not to do it because i would have a hard time proving this to the customs.
All in all, if you declare the correct price and you don't undervalue the package-with all the risks-the price that you finally (with 20% VAT) will pay for the TZ is very near to european prices.