import some leaf into New Zealand
- Thread starter ladaok
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Orson Carte
Well-Known Member
All the information you need is to be found in previous discussions in the Forum.
There is theoretically no limit to the amount you can 'import' into NZ at any one time but if you exceed 8lbs you run the risk of being charged with paying around $1200 a kilogram in excise duty.
With 3lbs you are safe (provided it is 'wholeleaf', with the stem in) from Duty but they may or may not charge you GST. They will almost certainly will charge you a $70 fee to have it Heat treated (for Quarantine) before you can receive it.
BoxShot
New Member
NOvice
Member
Hi BoxShot, I also am importing some wlt, 4lb of cutters. It has just had its heat txment ($70) and I AM NERVOUSLY waiting to see if it comes through customs or if I have to pay a lot more to have it released. I will keep you informed. Purchased some wlt from an auckland crowd and it was terrible-bad mouth burn and a dreadful burnt flavour, will try some wlt casing on it when it arrives but I think only time or the rubbish bin will fix it!
Orson Carte
Well-Known Member
If they've billed you for Heat treatment there'll be nothing more to pay.
NOvice
Member
Hi Orson Carte, thanks for the feedback, as a beginner at using whole leaf, any advice/help is much appreciated.
stic
Well-Known Member
Just paid the heat treatment fee for mine, should see it next month some time...
Also, just packed up 6-7lb of cured (air) home grown which i'm putting away to age...
Also, just packed up 6-7lb of cured (air) home grown which i'm putting away to age...
Orson Carte
Well-Known Member
Generally speaking, the only extra cost (on top of what you've paid for the wholeleaf and freight) is the Heat treatment fee. Sometimes (but it's rare) a parcel will arrive on your doorstep within about ten days from ordering, having completely by-passed the Treatment requirement.
The cost of the Treatment is $70 for all amounts up to 5kg. So, it makes sense to make the order as 'big' as you can because, for example, for two separate 4lb parcels you will pay twice as much ($140) as you would on one 8lb lot.
It is important, however, not to exceed 8lbs because, at the present time, by adding one extra pound to an order is very likely to push the value of the package to over $400 - and on this amount or greater they will charge you sales tax (GST) at 15%.
The other danger with exceeding 8lbs is that you risk crossing the threshold of your shipment being classed as 'for personal use' into the 'commercial quantity' category. If it is assessed as being 'commercial' you really wouldn't want to know about it - the excise duty is around $1100/kg. And you'll never see it until you pay it.
So, provided it's 8lbs or less, the only extra charges are likely to be for Treatment ($70). Customs have the facility to charge you GST and collection fees on any amount, no matter how small, but generally they don't bother. And, once you've received a letter telling you your parcel must be treated it means that it has already passed through Customs free of charge.
In October this year all this is to change - but that's another story.
NOvice
Member
Thanks very much for the advice Orson, will try a bit bigger lot next time as you advise.
Quote shit quality? It is some of the best you can get. I don't like Turkish tobacco but I can manage this stuff which says a lot about the quality of the tobacco.
NOvice
Member
Hi burge, I definitely want to try some basma. As a mild tobacco smoker it sounds just right to blend.
BoxShot
New Member
@NOvice yeah its nerve racking lol , i just checked the delivery status and now says held at customs so i guess im just waiting for a letter now and seeing what they say . sounds like you pretty much have the delivery if you already paid for the heat treatment though . keen to hear how long it takes you to get . keep us updated 
Orson Carte
Well-Known Member
@NOvice yeah its nerve racking lol , i just checked the delivery status and now says held at customs so i guess im just waiting for a letter now and seeing what they say . sounds like you pretty much have the delivery if you already paid for the heat treatment though . keen to hear how long it takes you to get . keep us updated
The tracker can say a variety of things. 'Under Customs Assessment' is just one of them. Usually nothing of consequence happens and the Tracker might then change to read 'Biosecurity (MPI) Assessment'
Once it says this you know that you will (after two to three weeks, usually) receive a letter telling you your parcel must be heat-treated. This will cost you $70, but there will definitely be no other charges.
Back to 'Customs assessment' - the worst that can happen here is that you will be charged GST on the total value of the parcel (in $NZ) as well as a an administration fee. However, it is fairly rare that this eventuates.
If you're really unlucky you might potentially have to pay both the GST and then, when that's paid, be up for heat treatment as well. But that's not normal.
Then again, sometimes you might get lucky and run the gauntlet unscathed. This morning I received a parcel that I ordered just 14 days ago and it wasn't held for either GST or for treatment. But, this isn't the norm.
Don't wrack your nerves - it will eventually arrive.
stic
Well-Known Member
Yeah...it is nerve wracking the first and second times, but you eventually get used to the system...i'm just waiting for my next package to be released and sent to me...
JennyLeez
Well-Known Member
Yep need tons of patience.
I am still waiting on a box purchased 6th of March. It was sent off for Heat treatment as the 'Whole parcel with fugal lesions' needed it before entry.
I paid for the heat treatment 29th of March and still I wait for this one.
Maybe they are scrapping my lesions off with a knife
As Ed said every now and again you will have a box by pass the Heat Treatment and when you do there is only a 2 week delay. The whole leaf is also much much nicer.
Some of the heat treated stuff I have received in the past has ended up on the compost as a they have gone over board with the heating/cooking and it arrives a browny/black.
If I try to de stem my hands end up a browny/black as well. Needless to say this stuff tastes horrid so good for composting for next years grow
Cheers
I am still waiting on a box purchased 6th of March. It was sent off for Heat treatment as the 'Whole parcel with fugal lesions' needed it before entry.
I paid for the heat treatment 29th of March and still I wait for this one.
Maybe they are scrapping my lesions off with a knife
As Ed said every now and again you will have a box by pass the Heat Treatment and when you do there is only a 2 week delay. The whole leaf is also much much nicer.
Some of the heat treated stuff I have received in the past has ended up on the compost as a they have gone over board with the heating/cooking and it arrives a browny/black.
If I try to de stem my hands end up a browny/black as well. Needless to say this stuff tastes horrid so good for composting for next years grow
Cheers
stic
Well-Known Member
Yep need tons of patience.
I am still waiting on a box purchased 6th of March. It was sent off for Heat treatment as the 'Whole parcel with fugal lesions' needed it before entry.
I paid for the heat treatment 29th of March and still I wait for this one.
Maybe they are scrapping my lesions off with a knife
I've never been notified of any particular 'issue', just that i've imported dried tobacco leaves...
As Ed said every now and again you will have a box by pass the Heat Treatment and when you do there is only a 2 week delay. The whole leaf is also much much nicer.
Some of the heat treated stuff I have received in the past has ended up on the compost as a they have gone over board with the heating/cooking and it arrives a browny/black.
If I try to de stem my hands end up a browny/black as well. Needless to say this stuff tastes horrid so good for composting for next years grow
Cheers
Also, i've never had one come through without treatment, but, fingers crossed for next time...
NOvice
Member
Hi, ordered 4lb march 18, received today(7/5/19). Smokable but I think heat txment has left a mild burnt taste. This may lessen over time -will see. Also still waiting for my casing to arrive as I want to try it out!
stic
Well-Known Member
Mine has been with MPI since 8th April...
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