[tebling]

My search-fu must be suffering, because I couldn't come up with an answer to what must be a common question.

I'm coming over on a work visa (12 month) and am wondering if I'll have to pay GST on the items shipped via container. I know that if I had PR I would be exempt, and also know that "it depends on what visa you enter the country with", but I'd like a more solid answer if possible.

It would seem to be a bit outrageous to charge GST on all of my worldly possessions :uhoh

The NZ customs web site is equally lacking information.

Thanks!

[peebles16]

This thread might clear things up for you:

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18316&highlight=visa

Hope I put the right link in :)

Karen

[IanW99]

My search-fu must be suffering, because I couldn't come up with an answer to what must be a common question.

I'm coming over on a work visa (12 month) and am wondering if I'll have to pay GST on the items shipped via container. I know that if I had PR I would be exempt, and also know that "it depends on what visa you enter the country with", but I'd like a more solid answer if possible.

It would seem to be a bit outrageous to charge GST on all of my worldly possessions :uhoh

The NZ customs web site is equally lacking information.

Thanks!

From When No Customs Charges Apply (http://www.customs.govt.nz/travellers/Household+Effects/When+No+Customs+Charges+Apply.htm)

"a current New Zealand work visa or work permit that was issued for a minimum of twelve months"

So assuming that the conditions are met (detailed in the link), then your 12 month work visa is considered suitable so you won't need to pay customs charges.

Ian

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

You beat me to it Ian. Just about to post same link.

[tebling]

Thanks everyone for the quick response and welcome peace of mind - looks like I'm in the clear! Not sure how I missed those links the first time :)

-tim

[beth&rich]

Thank you for the link...I guess we'll have to be sure to ship our stuff in my name, and not the bf's, as he doesn't meet the 21 month non - residency. We'd never have known without you guys! Thank you!

[Chaz]

I believe these rules are changing.

A friend of mine who is currently on a 12 month work permit called customs this morning and was told that from the 6th of June, GST is determined as and when the goods arrive in country and your 'status' at the time.

It was previously a case that if you arrived on a holiday permit (for example), that if your goods arrived weeks later, you were still charged GST on the basis of your 'status' at the time of entry.

Anyone else heard anything similar? This is good news for us (and probably others) who may arrive on a permit other than PR.

[Sunkissed]

So, to confirm:

If I arrive on a 12 month working holiday visa, will I need to pay GST on my shipped goods?

[dilanium]

So, to confirm:

If I arrive on a 12 month working holiday visa, will I need to pay GST on my shipped goods?

I would email customs to be sure. feedback@customs.govt.nz

[Sunkissed]

I would email customs to be sure. feedback@customs.govt.nz

Thanks.

I've contacted them and I'm now waiting to hear back.

[George&Dave]

let us know what they say x

[Sunkissed]

let us know what they say x

1st response from customs regarding shipping items while holding a Working Holiday Visa (includes 12 month work permit for non-permanent work)...clearly she just quoted the NZ Customs website but it was still helpful:

Thank you for your enquiry,

On the date your goods arrive in New Zealand you must hold a document authorising residence in New Zealand .

A document authorising residence in New Zealand means one of the following:

- A New Zealand Passport
- An Australian Passport
- A current New Zealand residence visa or permit, or a current returning resident's visa or permit
- A current permanent residence visa (including a resident return visa) issued by the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia
- A current work visa or work permit that was issued for a minimum of 12 months
- A current work visa or work permit, issued under the Work to Residence (Skilled Migrant category) policy or the Long Term Business Visa/Permit category:
- A current visitor's visa or permit that was issued for a minimum of 3 years.

If you hold one of the above visas/permits you may enter your household effects that you have owned and used without the payment of tax provided that for the whole of the period of 21 months preceding your arrival, you have resided, or been domiciled outside New Zealand. The exceptions to this are any unused/new household goods or any commercial/business goods of any description for any use not just for sale. If such goods were imported they would be subject to the tax to those goods.

When you arrive in New Zealand you will clear your used household goods at the nearest/local Customs office to your physical location regardless of which port they may land at. Prior to Customs Clearance quarantine approval is required by The Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry (MAF).

To clear your goods you will need your freight papers, passport and inventory. You can clear the goods up to 5 days before the ship arrives in NZ but no earlier. The details of your local/nearest MAF and Customs offices will be in the Blue pages of the telephone book under A for Agriculture & Forestry Ministry of C for New Zealand Customs Service or on our website www.customs.govt.nz under Contact Us.


2nd response from a different Customs Comptroller:

Thank you for your enquiry

If you hold a one of the work permits as outlined below and meet the conditions and requirements that Donnelle stated in her previous email then no customs charges will be payable.

- A current work visa or work permit that was issued for a minimum of 12 months

- A current work visa or work permit, issued under the Work to Residence (Skilled Migrant category) policy or the Long Term Business Visa/Permit category:

If you any doubts or require further clarification as to your particular situation I suggest that you contact the Client Service section of NZ Customs at the port where you will be clearing your goods. I have attached the relevant email addresses.

Phone numbers can be found on our website www.customs.govt.nz under Contact Us. The Client Service section processes the clearance of personal/household effects.

[Sunkissed]

Ok, so I just spoke to an agent at the Nelson Customs Service office and she said that I would not have to pay GST on my shipped household goods if I arrive with a Working Holiday Visa. This is because the WHV includes a 12 month work permit (not for permanent work). She briefly mentioned something about switching over to a regular work visa once I arrived and got a job offer for a permanent position (which is my plan).

Hope this helps anyone in a similar position.