TRS Noob Question

Shpox on 15/11/2018 - 12:05
Last edited 15/11/2018 - 12:06

Hello all, have read the majority of threads on how TRS works and hoping I could clarify with the OZB experts here before I run into any trouble.
I will be departing from Brisbane, where some people had said there's just an envelope, no check.

I have $6798.57 of goods eligible for a TRS Return for a total of $679.86 Some of these items are jackets, gloves, clothes. Others are Camera gear and gifts.
Of all those items, only one will not be returning with me ($798.00) alongside with a few gifts.
If I have read this correctly, as a solo traveller, the maximum I can claim is an amount up to $900.00 of good with TRS meaning a total of $90.00. Am I correct in assuming the rest of the goods are not eligible beyond this amount?

A lot of effort for $90.00 but I'll take it. I don't understand how if it's an envelope system, how they could check what you are/aren't bringing back but would rather not go through any trouble on the way back.

Is another option to just declare everything on the way back and the way from? Happy to return the GST if they check me for the items and happy to keep it, if they don't! But don't want to pay additional fees.

Travel

Comments

geek001 on 15/11/2018 - 12:12

+1

Are all the purchases from the same shop? Only purchases of $300 or more from the same shop are eligible, although you are allowed multiple lots of purchases of $300 or more from different shops.

Sometimes the TRS booth in BNE is not manned(I am not sure what the PC term is), so there is just some forms and a ballot box for you to fill in with your receipts for submission. They send your original receipts back to you once your claim is processed.
- Shpox on 15/11/2018 - 12:16
  
  They are from different ABN's, all accruing to be over $300.00 from one ABN. Some are less than $300, but add up to be over when from the same ABN.
  
  So would it be my best bet to do a TRS refund on everything in that case and just return the GST on the way back if checked?
  - HighAndDry on 15/11/2018 - 12:28
    
    +1
    
    Divide the goods into lots of ">$300 purchased from a single ABN". That way it'll be faster/easier to process.
  - geek001 on 15/11/2018 - 12:28
    
    -1
    
    I would probably just try and claim everything if I am in your situation. Then again, I have never tried to claim $6k worth of stuff through TRS though. You will likely be "flagged" on the way back in. Just remember to declare the items on your arrival card on the way back in.
    
    My wife tried to claim GST on an iPhone years ago, but got rejected at the booth because it was over $900, the officer said there was no point claiming GST if you need to pay it back on the way back in. Not sure how this will work with the envelope system.
    
    Have a look at this article, https://www.ausbt.com.au/govt-cracks-down-on-airport-trs-reb…
    
    There are heaps of comments at the bottom of people's experiences. Maybe that will help you decide.
    - Shpox on 15/11/2018 - 12:50
      
      I see, quite confusing! Especially when you read this page:
      https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/touris…
      
      If the total value of the goods you are bringing into Australia that you purchased overseas or for which you have claimed a refund under TRS is greater than your passenger concession ($900):
      
      you must declare all of their goods
      
      you will need to repay the GST refund back on the goods you claimed under the TRS
      
      duty and GST will apply to all items purchased, not just goods over the limit of your passenger concession.
      
      Penalties can apply if you don't declare that you have goods in excess of your passenger concession.
- HighAndDry on 15/11/2018 - 12:27
  
  Sometimes the TRS booth in BNE is not manned(I am not sure what the PC term is)
  
  Try "staffed", but honestly that's such a trivial thing to be worried about lol.
  - geek001 on 15/11/2018 - 12:30
    
    +1
    
    Thanks. You never know these days, when you post something on the internet, chances are, someone somewhere will be somewhat offended somehow.
    - pegaxs on 15/11/2018 - 13:33
      
      +1
      
      is not manned
      
      *TRIGGERED*
      
      Manned means attended to or operated by humans. It has little or nothing to do with genitalia.
    - [Deactivated] on 15/11/2018 - 14:41
      
      Your implication that I may be offended offends me.
John on 15/11/2018 - 12:44

If I were you, I would only bring $900 (and slightly more considering depreciation) worth of stuff that I would be bringing back, then of course the one you aren't bringing back. If there is someone on the TRS desk then just claim on those items as won't be a problem bringing back in. In the lucky event the staff isn't there, claim all.
- Shpox on 15/11/2018 - 12:47
  
  -1
  
  I see. So you're saying if there is someone at the desk, just claim the $900.00 and be done but if it's envelope, just do it all.
toniyellow on 15/11/2018 - 13:09

It used to be that personal items (normal clothes and hygeine items) and personal / general goods (electronics, accessories, designer clothes etc) were separate. The $900 limit did not apply to the former but did apply to the latter.

That information page has disappeared from the border force website, whether they are treating things different now or they just aren't good at maintaining a web presence I do not know.

Here is an archive of what seems to be what they most recently said on the subject.

https://web.archive.org/web/20180331172216/http://www.homeaf…
hopper on 15/11/2018 - 15:03

From December Airasia will be departing the flights to India from Avalon airport, not sure if they has a TRS counter.
have 1 phone, 1pad and 1 watch to claim (:
DardyMate on 21/11/2018 - 00:28

Heya late for this. But I was reading through https://www.ausbt.com.au/govt-cracks-down-on-airport-trs-reb…

So basically, if I am bringing it back to Australia then I have to re-pay the GST back?
- whooah1979 on 28/11/2018 - 08:32
  
  if I am bringing it back to Australia then I have to re-pay the GST back?
  
  Yes, if you declare it. No, if you don't declare.
mastahpee on 27/11/2018 - 20:50

I ordered from Amazon AU and the order was fulfilled by Amazon as well. The ‘Order Summary’ invoice they sent doesn’t have an ABN number. Has anyone made a TRS claim without this? Should I contact Amazon if they wil be able to provide one?

Cheers.
- Ameowzon on 28/11/2018 - 01:23
  
  I’d like to know too!
  - mastahpee on 28/11/2018 - 08:16
    
    +1
    
    Got an answer from Amazon. You can see the invoice with ABN number when you open in the desktop. Their reply:
    
    Please log into your account and on the left side, you'll be finding "Your order" section.
    
    Select relevant order for which you want the tax invoice. There is a drop-down menu option at the top right of the order selection, titled ‘invoice’. Hit the drop down and there are two options: Amazon AU tax invoice 1, and View Printable Order Summary.
    
    If you are on a mobile device, you will not be able to retrieve the tax invoice. Hence I request you to please log on to Amazon.com.au on desktop or laptop.
    - Ameowzon on 28/11/2018 - 10:59
      
      +1
      
      Good on ya!
ChatGPT-4 on 10/12/2018 - 14:49

Noob question, but is TRS only valid for international travel or is it available for interstate as well?
- MathNerd on 10/12/2018 - 19:35
  
  International only. If it was interstate as well, the whole scheme would be canned for the amount of money it's costing the government.
Peck on 11/12/2018 - 18:58

For a start, GST refund is one eleventh of the TOTAL cost. Because you pay 10% GST. IE $900 total cost incorporated $818.18 plus 10% - $81.82 GST
You really have 2 choices:-
Only claim TRS refund on $900
or
Claim on the lot, and declare upon return.
But in both cases maintain good records.

TRS Noob Question

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