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Importing a NZ built boat back to NZ from offshore


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Possibly not relevant to your situation but interesting...

 

Have some friends that 'half' immigrated here (she is kiwi born, he is brit and now nz citizen as well). They didn't have to pay duty or gst by somehow leaving the boat registered in the UK and in his name.

 

Don't really understand how that works but apparently it's all legit and very common...

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If the boat was originally sold in NZ, ie not exported when built, then there is no way of subsequently claiming the GST back if sold overseas.

That makes sense. What i can't get my head around is how they can charge gst multiple times on the one item. Is this true for everything?

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Hence my earlier post that it probably won’t be black & white and best talk to a specialist. It sounds like the answer is plan to pay GST + Duty and if it still looks a good deal then great. And if you manage to find a way to reduce / avoid payment upon arrival then that’s an unexpected bonus. But seems unlikely.

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No Duty between Aus and NZ

Another option I see from above is move overseas and take more than 21months to return ?

I understand there is no duty payable for a product manufactured in a free trade agreement country (that's why so many cars/utes sold in NZ are built in Thailand)

https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/tariffs/free-trade-agreements/

I don't believe the 21 mths rule exists anymore, the personal effects rule only applies to first time immigrants

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Household effects

You may not have to pay duties and GST on household, personal effects and vehicles/craft if you have documents to prove you’re allowed to live in NZ - these are:

  • a New Zealand or Australian passport
  • a current NZ residence visa or permit
  • a current permanent residence visa (including resident return visa) issued by the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia
  • a current work visa valid for a year or more
  • a current work visa or permit, issued under the Work to Residence (Skilled Migrant Category) policy or the Long Term Business Visa/Permit category
  • a current visitors’ visa or permit valid for three years or more
  • have been living outside for NZ for more than 21 months
  • owned and used all the goods before importing them here with you.

This concession doesn’t apply if you’re bringing in the items:

  • as a gift
  • to exchange or sell
  • for commercial use.

You must have personally owned and used any vehicles or craft for more than 12 months before shipping them – or leaving for NZ – to qualify for this concession. If you’re a returning NZ resident, there are also size restrictions for boats. See Part II of the Working Tariff Document of New Zealand: concessions (PDF 102 KB) for more details.

Page updated: 09.32am 31 October 2017

 

Interesting that the 21 month provision is still available.

I see the "small ships" included in the household effects are light trailable type boats and in the case of yachts cannot be powered.

Also noted the exemption for importation of "ships" is only for first time arrivals. I know someone who is currently taking advantage of this exemption

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I did the figures on a Lidgard yacht that sailed away many years ago. It was not exported just sailed out , if I purchased it in the Med and sailed her home got confirmation in writing that there was no GST payable. On re-entry as it was paid when built- and a registered NZ yacht.

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Thanks for the comments thus far, we have made enquiries of the offshore owner and hope to hear back shortly.

For instance we do not know if the boat was built for them and supplied directly to them or if it spent time here in NZ and was subsequently sold.

 

The moving offshore etc lines of thinking will not work for us, we both reside in Auckland and will be happy to sail it back on her own bottom if the numbers work out.

Will keep you updated on the developments.

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So I asked Customs the question here is the rather vague reply, so another query perhaps more specific will have to be made.

 

Thank you for your enquiry.

 

To meet the terms of returning NZ goods and import the boat free of Customs duty and GST, the boat will need to be readily identifiable (i.e. marked or numbered), the exporter and importer must be the same person, the goods must be in substantially the same condition and export entry details must be provided as evidence of the export (to confirm boat was not a GST free sale for export).

 

From what you have stated, the boat will not qualify for the above and will be subject to Customs charges on importation into New Zealand as per the below.

 

If the boat was manufactured in New Zealand, it can be imported into New Zealand free of Customs duty. However your shipment will be subject to Goods and Services Tax (15%). The GST is payable on the sum of the cost of the goods plus insurance and freight to get the goods to New Zealand (no freight/insurance charge if vessel sailed under its own power to NZ). Your shipment will also be subject to an Import Entry Transaction fee of $55.71 NZD.

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Doesn't seem promising. One thing I didn't see mentioned above in a quick flick through the thread is if importing from AU there is no duty payable due to CER (closer economic relations) treaty. This may also be this case with other countries we have trade or similar agreements with, I only looked into AU.

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Doesn't seem promising. One thing I didn't see mentioned above in a quick flick through the thread is if importing from AU there is no duty payable due to CER (closer economic relations) treaty. This may also be this case with other countries we have trade or similar agreements with, I only looked into AU.

no duty from Australia

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Might want  to check that out first,

 

https://customsdutyfree.com/new-zealand-free-trade-agreements-and-tax-exemptions-2

 

Austtralia does not appear on list

 

New Zealand – Free trade agreements and tax exemptions

 

HT - try this list

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/business/trade-and-tariffs/tariffs-in-new-zealand/

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