Importing to New Zealand

[RichardSmith]

I All,
Has anyone done or know of anyone who has imported a boat into New Zealand?
It would be good to hear people's thoughts!
Cheers
Rich

[barnakiel]

Aside from forum IQ you may also contact kiwi customs. They are most helpful and will address all your questions.

Back in 2006 there were some nasty post-import traumas like having to go thru stability tests etc red tape things if your type of the boat not built in NZ. But these not directly related to import.

b.

[matauwhi]

G'day, Rich. I have imported my Mason 53 to New Zealand. I believe the cost to do that today would be 15% GST (goods & service tax) + 7.5% duty (boat built outside of New Zealand) based on the value of the boat.

If you are an U.S. citizen and have your vessel documented, you can still keep it as a U.S. flagged vessel. This will allow you to sail into and out of New Zealand waters without obtaining Category 1 certification that New Zealand flagged cruising vessels must have (annually if clearing in and out of customs).

There are no registration fees for New Zealand cruising yachts to date, if you can believe that.

Let me know if you want any more detail. Cheers.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by matauwhi

(...) If you are an U.S. citizen and have your vessel documented, you can still keep it as a U.S. flagged vessel. (...)

Can you expand on this detail? How is the TI extended / omitted then?

When we were there, we were only allowed to extend the TI once, giving us max of 18 months under our original flag. Is it perhaps by some sort of special/mutual agreement between the US/NZ govts?

THX
barnakiel

[matauwhi]

G'day, mate. When the vessel is formally imported (not temporarily as you experienced) the owner receives formal imported documentation papers. We are occasionally visited by New Zealand customs when we are out living aboard (as the crews initially think we are a typical offshore visiting yacht) and are quickly verified as imported in their database. Hope that helps.

Any one purchasing our yacht receives the same benefit and if they are a U.S. citizen can keep the U.S. flag as well. As you experienced while you were here in New Zealand, this imported status can be very beneficial over the temporary status. Cheers.

[RichardSmith]

Thanks guys,
I heard somewhere that if you own the boat for a certain period of time (2 years I think it was) then you don't have to pay GST????
Does this ring any bells?

[downunder]

Originally Posted by RichardSmith

Thanks guys,
I heard somewhere that if you own the boat for a certain period of time (2 years I think it was) then you don't have to pay GST????
Does this ring any bells?

Sounds like wishfull thinking. Unfortunately won't work in Aus and I very much doubt NZ or matauwhi would have used it.

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by RichardSmith

Thanks guys,
I heard somewhere that if you own the boat for a certain period of time (2 years I think it was) then you don't have to pay GST????
Does this ring any bells?

That used to be if you were emigrating to another country, if you owned the boat (or car) you could bring it with you free of duties....

Don't know if that applies today, but it did in 70's Australia...

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

That used to be if you were emigrating to another country, if you owned the boat (or car) you could bring it with you free of duties....

Don't know if that applies today, but it did in 70's Australia...

Does not apply in Australia anymore unfortunately!

There are some rules that can be used for import to UK - basically if you have lived aboard for the previous 6 months. But Quite how other EU nations would view this is another matter.