[Bruckner]

I know this question has been asked and answered but I just wanted to throw out a slightly different scenario. We've been purchasing furniture to bring with us and putting it directly into storage. Unless the moving company repacks it, it'll be shipped in the original unopened box. Even if most of the pieces are a year old(ish) is this a red flag for the MAF?

I'd like to keep taking advantage of my company discount and not have to furnish a place upon arrival.

Emily

[jaycee]

I think it's Customs rather than MAF that is your concern, as you are trying to 'avoid' import duty and GST, rather than being a biosecurity threat! It's not illegal to import new items, but you would be liable for duty - if Customs discover them ;)

Goods imported under the new immigrants' waiver are supposed to have been 'used' by the owner (that only has to have been once) - so I'd at least take the items out of the original packaging. If it's self-assembly stuff, maybe put it together - and then take it apart again if you like. OK, Customs may never look, and I don't know if your shipping company would pick up on it (might be an interesting test of their knowledge), but I'd guess opening a few boxes is worth it for the peace of mind!

[jess]

Our shippers gave us forms to fill out on this end (NZ) that included putting down anything that was in new condition/had not been used by us. We had a wieight machine still in the box and a receipt showing it had been purchased more than 6 months prior, but we still owed $50 to Customs. Never really checked whether the $50 was for the wieght bench, but can't think of what else it would be? Nothing else was new. We were so busy then that I just paid the $50 without asking a lot about it. It was paid directly to Customs though, so I know it wasn't a shipper ploy.

I would be a bit worried about having all that stuff still in the boxes. Is there any way you can play it safe and do what Jaycee suggests?

[Bruckner]

Thanks Jess and Jaycee! It's only a few items so I'll bite the bullet and put them together. The shippers can take them apart and pack them.

[Debbie]

Just a thought, but rather than going to the hassel of putting th efurniture together how about opening the boxs and then resealing them with your our gaffa tape. We have a couple of wardrobes that we uses only for a month and then repacked into orriginal boxes re-sealed by us. I dont expect anyone could tell the difference between those and your very new stuff.
Debbie

[Havana]

Official line from customs is even if you have only used the item for five minutes, it is used. It almost all cases customs will only go off what you declare on your customs form. You would be very unlucky to get a random inspection although I believe these are now going to become more common. The other thing you have to be careful of is that MAF dont alert customs during their inspection which can happen.

My advise would be to open the packages, take a look, try out the pces and re-seal. That way you are not making a false declaration on your customs form which afterall is a legal document.

[jess]

Havana is right about the MAF inspector. When he came to our house he ended up calling Customs about an ornamental brass knife from india that my OH had in a box he checked. (It wasn't sharp, and Customs said it was fine.) The MAF inspector also asked whether our lawnmower had been used or not. It had been used once, which was fine as well. So MAF does keep an eye out for Customs issues as well.

[Bruckner]

Thanks to Debbie, Havana and Jess. I've decided to downsize my plan and work with the few things we have. I guess that means putting together that outdoor portable bar, having a drink, taking it apart and putting it back in storage. And then have another drink.

Emily