Jen Benavides and her daughter have found that gifts from Gran don't come cheap. Photo/ Supplied
Jen Benavides and her daughter have found that gifts from Gran don't come cheap. Photo/ Supplied
Customs won't be getting a Christmas card from Kaitaia College teacher Jen Benavides.
The best she can wish for them is that their festivities won't be spoilt by guilt, after an experience she describes as ridiculous.
She had received a $188.09 bill from Customs, for Christmas and her daughter's second birthday gifts from her mother in America.
Import duty accounted for $35.30, the remainder comprising GST ($103.55), an import transaction fee ($25.44), GST on the import transaction fee ($3.82), a biosecurity levy ($17.37), and GST on that levy ($2.61).
She was required to pay a 15 per cent tax on the $217 shipping fee that her mother had already paid in America, GST of 15 per cent on the contents of the box, and a 10 per cent import duty on the clothing and shoes.
More than a bit annoyed, she contacted NZ Post.
"They were very helpful, and said when the surnames match they generally let the customs duties slide, because they assume family are sending items for Christmas," she said.
"I was told to contact Customs, and tell them that my Mum sent the gifts for Christmas and my daughter's birthday."
Customs said Benavides was charged nearly $200 because the parcel was not marked "gift". Photo/File
However, the woman she contacted at Customs told her she needed to provide receipts for the gifts so the exact value could be calculated before consideration could be given to waiving some of the fees.
Benavides knew her mother would not have receipts, as the gifts had been bought from various stores over the previous few months, with no intention of returning them.
Benavides paid the $188 - "sadly" - but had a message for Customs.
"The hassle you put people through at a time of the year when we are already feeling homesick, and financially stressed, is disgusting," she wrote.
"I will be writing a letter to Radio NZ, the NZ Herald, my local paper, and telling everyone I can about this, which is your pathetic way of making money.
"If you look under the tape on the box there is paperwork detailing the cost of the items, which is required for international shipping from the US ...
"I hope you have a merry Christmas, with a guilt-free conscience."
A customs spokesperson said Benavides was charged because the label on the package said "assorted goods" rather than "gift".
"The gift concession was not applied and we will be contacting the customer to discuss."
