Evelyn
Member
Hi. Any feedback from customs on this?
import some leaf into New Zealand
- Thread starter ladaok
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abec72
Active Member
It will be postes on customs website before the and of the month
stic
Well-Known Member
Not according to customs...
They have been letting in 'Cured' leaf as unmanufactured for years...
stic
Well-Known Member
Custom's have not replied, as of yet...
41 Degrees South
Member
Yeah, I understand how you'd get that impression. Much of the customs legislation is discretionary, ie; it states: "an officer may".
Also, sometimes officers due to lack of resources just let minor infractions slide, in order prioritise more serious ones with a perceived higher public harm.
That said if they decided that they wanted your shipment, they'd have it. What I quoted is directly from the customs and excise act, verbatim.
stic
Well-Known Member
I also read on their website, a statement that it is not, nor has it ever been, legal to import whole leaf tobacco for the purpose of cutting or shredding it to produce smokable tobacco for personal use.
So, NZ must have a serious garden pest issue, as making insecticide is the only other legitimate use for all this 'leaf' comming into the country...
So, NZ must have a serious garden pest issue, as making insecticide is the only other legitimate use for all this 'leaf' comming into the country...
stic
Well-Known Member
In case anyone doesn't already know, the permit to bring leaf into NZ is free, but, will not automatically be granted. it lasts for 12 months, BUT, is only good for 1 shipment!
Then, you would have to apply for a new permit, in order to import another shipment.
Tobacco manufacturers (i.e. those who produce commercial tobacco) will be issued with permits that DO NOT have to be updated every time...lucky them...
There will be taxes due on the imported shipment, I don't know what these will be yet...
Then, you would have to apply for a new permit, in order to import another shipment.
Tobacco manufacturers (i.e. those who produce commercial tobacco) will be issued with permits that DO NOT have to be updated every time...lucky them...
There will be taxes due on the imported shipment, I don't know what these will be yet...
stic
Well-Known Member
Also, my last order from 'Leaf Only' was charged NZ GST, so it is possible...
freedompiper
Active Member
Sorry, but I have to rant. So if you're a pipe smoker who in NZ can now only get Borkum riff cherry or Erinmore mixture for $165 a tin and you want to legitimately and legally order some Gawith or C&D from US, you have to buy a whole years supply in one hit! At one tin a week that's over 5 grand! For the first time in 400 years, pipe smoking is now a rich man's sport. Didn't our grandads supposedly fight for "freedom" in WW2? not this ridiculous nanny state BS. Actually sounds like something a fascist would do - ban smoking and compulsory vegetarianism. The photo of my mums dad in his uniform - he has a pipe in his mouth.
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My understanding is that If you are importing pipe tobacco legitimately and paying duty, That after you have made your first order (within a year of your permit being issued), you could just apply for a new permit to make another order and so on.
Apart from the paperwork, and the uncertainty of having a permit granted, the major difference is that now you would have to use a freight forwarding company instead of just ordering and shipping direct to NZ...however this could work in your favour if you can order enough to get above the free us shipping all the sites offer and capitalise on cheaper per oz. prices. Also, it might be time to look into ordering ropes/twists/plugs that are also used for chew. Atleast this way your ordering is still an exempt activity for a bit longer.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a pipe smoker too, and I really feel that we are somewhat collateral damage with the new regs However I am hopeful that through now focusing on whole leaf, growing and blending, the government may have unwittingly started a pipe smoking revival in this way off land. Sure i am pissed off as hell, but in a year or twos time when i am rubbing out flakes from some aged homegrown blend, I might be slightly (and secretly) grateful that my hand was forced....
but til then, I hear ya bro!
Apart from the paperwork, and the uncertainty of having a permit granted, the major difference is that now you would have to use a freight forwarding company instead of just ordering and shipping direct to NZ...however this could work in your favour if you can order enough to get above the free us shipping all the sites offer and capitalise on cheaper per oz. prices. Also, it might be time to look into ordering ropes/twists/plugs that are also used for chew. Atleast this way your ordering is still an exempt activity for a bit longer.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a pipe smoker too, and I really feel that we are somewhat collateral damage with the new regs However I am hopeful that through now focusing on whole leaf, growing and blending, the government may have unwittingly started a pipe smoking revival in this way off land. Sure i am pissed off as hell, but in a year or twos time when i am rubbing out flakes from some aged homegrown blend, I might be slightly (and secretly) grateful that my hand was forced....
but til then, I hear ya bro!
freedompiper
Active Member
All very good points indeed, Davo. As more and more people are forced into growing their own, the bigger the black market these rules are designed to prevent will get. It's a natural progression. My vaper plugs using WLT fare are already as good as anything by C&D. But glorious St James Perique and good cigar leaf will be difficult to reproduce.
Yeah that’s true bro. I’m interested to see what whole leaf is taxed at post July, as if it’s not too step I will keep ordering those essential condiments. Hey as an aside, how do you process you perique to store it? I’ve got a pound on its way. I’ve read that some store in the fridge but I was hoping to seal in jars in the cellar
freedompiper
Active Member
I have like 1 pipeful left of straight perique out of some that's been in a jar since december. The rest I pressed immediately into vaper plugs and crumble cakes back then. It has all kept fine in jars no mold or anything. It's looking like we will be taxed the whole 1500 or whatever it is per kg for whole leaf, unless we start an insecticide company lol.
Haha at least our company would be humane in that we would try all of the products on ourselves before unleashing them on the garden. What % of perique did you use in your blends? I love the flavour, had some the other day mixed at 25%, but almost just as happy at 5-10% with it playing in the background
freedompiper
Active Member
I go all the way from 25 to 50 percent in a vaper but just as happy to smoke it straight with a glass of sherry or port. I have one more complex blend where it is 12.5%.
12 years ago, the US government raised the tax on cigarette tobacco 2400% (not a typo) 2400%. I then adopted the internet user name FmGrowit (F*ck 'em, grow it).
The belief that "Loopholes"even exist is surrendering to the concept that all things must be controlled or taxed.
stic
Well-Known Member
What I find objectionable (apart from the outrageous taxes themselves), is the moral righteousness these government ministers believe they hold, to all but ban my ability to smoke, while making another poison (alcohol) readily available to all and sundry in local supermarkets, at discount prices....
My tobacco may harm me, may even kill me; but their cut price alcohol harms it's users AND causes fetal alcohol syndrome, domestic violence, car accidents, workplace accidents, mental health issues, crime...
Where is the parity?
And now, due to having a leftist government, we are soon to have cannabis on the market?
Surely they're taking the piss...
My tobacco may harm me, may even kill me; but their cut price alcohol harms it's users AND causes fetal alcohol syndrome, domestic violence, car accidents, workplace accidents, mental health issues, crime...
Where is the parity?
And now, due to having a leftist government, we are soon to have cannabis on the market?
Surely they're taking the piss...
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