MIKA27 Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 Hi all. After having returned from my holidays in Chile last Friday (All went well) I still lament a great deal on customs in New Zealand. I purchased two bottles of Ron Zacappa rum XO for $130 per bottle in Argentina Duty free only to have it confiscated at New Zealand airport. Reasons still not known 100% other than the fact that they state "It's policy'. The problem is that Newzealand customs confiscate anything over 100ml, that being fragrances, nail polish remover, makeup, you name it, they apparently are allowed to confiscate it! I was unaware these included alcohol as having purchased from Duty free which gives one a receipt as well as handed over to you on the airplane, I can not understand why on earth they took it from me or what gives them the power to include items only just purchased at another duty free...... Anyone here have an understanding about Newzealands reasons for confiscating my precious rum!?
rckymtn22 Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 Wow that sucks. Were you just transitting through, or stopping over? the only thing i can think is that you were over the allowable limit, but usually you only have to pay duty on the over items.
El Presidente Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 I have had so many arguments with Customs bringing in Rum/custom cigars over the years that I have a permanent record of dissent. The problem is the inconsistency. Some trips they allow it, others not. I have given up. If they confiscate a couple of bottles of rum I demand that they empty it in front of me. They normally take me under escort to a sink and do so. The world of travel is screwed up. If you have no record as an activist, if you are not on any governmental "List", if you have purchased Duty Free in a sealed Duty Free bag and with receipts then subject to minimums you have a right (in my eyes) to bring in Duty free without harassment. When it happens, kick up a stink. Ask for managers, supervisors, terminal manager etc. Works 50% of the time.
reg Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 When it happens, kick up a stink. Ask for managers, supervisors, terminal manager etc. Works 50% of the time. the other 50% rob walks home funny
El Presidente Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 the other 50% rob walks home funny I have two Strip Searches to prove it !LOL!
Ken Gargett Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 Hi all.After having returned from my holidays in Chile last Friday (All went well) I still lament a great deal on customs in New Zealand. I purchased two bottles of Ron Zacappa rum XO for $130 per bottle in Argentina Duty free only to have it confiscated at New Zealand airport. Reasons still not known 100% other than the fact that they state "It's policy'. The problem is that Newzealand customs confiscate anything over 100ml, that being fragrances, nail polish remover, makeup, you name it, they apparently are allowed to confiscate it! I was unaware these included alcohol as having purchased from Duty free which gives one a receipt as well as handed over to you on the airplane, I can not understand why on earth they took it from me or what gives them the power to include items only just purchased at another duty free...... Anyone here have an understanding about Newzealands reasons for confiscating my precious rum!? like rob, i have had my fair share of 'discussions' with imbecilic customs and also dealt with some terrific people. i find chasing them through the airport tends to work as they like to scurry off and hide if they think you are going to make their day uncomfortable. had one little grub who had to deal with me one-handed - he kept the other over his name tag as i'd threatened to report him. which i did and he was sent off for additional training. finally caught up with him right back out in the public area. they really dislike that. lost a litre of laiphroig (christ knows how you spell that) not so long ago. my fault. had brought two across duty free. gave one to a mate and was bringing the other one back and completely forgot to pack it in the check in luggage. if you were only in transit, don't understand why you lost it and i would have screamed merry hell to find out. if you had checked out and were checking back in, then they would definitely grab it.
dicko Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 I have given up. If they confiscate a couple of bottles of rum I demand that they empty it in front of me. They normally take me under escort to a sink and do so. Is this to stop them necking it themselves (for border security purposes of course) ??
Ken Gargett Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 Is this to stop them necking it themselves (for border security purposes of course) ?? i told the woman with the malt she was more than welcome to it. knew it was gone and knew i'd stuffed up and she was nice about it and as i was going to be going through auckland about four more times shortly after that, thought it might be wise to try and stay on their good side. but she said it had to go in the bin and put it in (who knows if they retrieved it).
samb Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 That really does suck!! Im sorry that customs is such a pain in the ass.
OZCUBAN Posted February 9, 2010 Posted February 9, 2010 Hey Mika Shame you don't live in the States they don't appear to have a Customs Department (well not as vicious as OZ -NZ) Cheers Oz
MIKA27 Posted February 9, 2010 Author Posted February 9, 2010 Wow that sucks. Were you just transitting through, or stopping over? the only thing i can think is that you were over the allowable limit, but usually you only have to pay duty on the over items. I was not over the allowable 2 litre per person limit and had I have been, I would have stated that the over amount was my wifes share who also has a 2 litre limit. I did throw in a John McEnroe line like 'You can't be serious!' and walked off swearing in an inconsolible manner which had an officer at my heals telling me to relax. The reason for my attitude was that no one could satisfactorily answer my question as to why they were confiscating anything over 100ml. If it were for security threat/reasons, I could partly understand, but all I got was 'Their our rules'.
Ken Gargett Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 I was not over the allowable 2 litre per person limit and had I have been, I would have stated that the over amount was my wifes share who also has a 2 litre limit.I did throw in a John McEnroe line like 'You can't be serious!' and walked off swearing in an inconsolible manner which had an officer at my heals telling me to relax. The reason for my attitude was that no one could satisfactorily answer my question as to why they were confiscating anything over 100ml. If it were for security threat/reasons, I could partly understand, but all I got was 'Their our rules'. always insist on a superior, at that stage. it is almost certainly going to do no good but i figure that if some plonker has ruined my day, i'll do my best to do the same to theirs. calling for a superior reminds them of their position in the food chain, wastes their times, pisses them off and so on.
FlyFishingDude Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 Anyone here have an understanding about Newzealands reasons for confiscating my precious rum!? They were having a party and ran out of booze........
MIKA27 Posted February 10, 2010 Author Posted February 10, 2010 They're were having a party and ran out of booze........
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