Customs limit raised $l0

Press, 11 May 1979, Page 17

Customs limit raised $l0

■ PA Wellington i Customs duty and sales tax exemptions on gifts sent from abroad have been increased from $lO to $2O, the Acting Minister of Customs (Mr Cooper) has announced. The increase will align the exemption with a Customs Co-operation Council’s recommended maximum of SUS2S.

j The original aim of the iconcession was that Christ-

mas, birthday, and similar i gifts would attract minimal customs charges. “The increase will allow entry, free of Customs charges, the type of gifts originally intended to be covered by "the exemption,” Mr; Cooper said. The order also defines, motor-vehicles and vessels, 'admissible under the concession extended to people entering the country. “In general terms the vessels are those which are powered, and sailing vessels which are designed primarily! for recreational purposes and: are readily transportable by I boat trailer,” Mr Cooper said.

The original provisions for, motor-vehicles stand, with one exception. The order withdraws <he provision which allows prospective immigrants to New Zealand to replace their -efthand drive motor-vehicle with a right-hand drive vehicle, paying Customs charges only on the difference in the assessed values of the vehicles. “This provision has created inequities in duties pavable and, in addition, it has been felt for some time that the concession has provided unfair advantage to those few, who come to New Zealand from a countrv where driving is on the right-hand side.” Mr Cooper said. Immigrants who have already purchased their replacement right hand drive vehicles, will not be affected, provided they conform with other terms and conditions of the concession, he said. 4