GST Refund at Airport TRS for Big Ticket Goods ($4,000)

dukeGR4 on 26/06/2019 - 15:44
Last edited 26/06/2019 - 16:06 by 1 other user

Last time when I tried to claim GST refund for my Macbook Pro and Switch I was told that I have exceeded the limit of $800 iirc, and luckily the border agent was understanding when I said that the Macbook's a gift.

This time around, I'm bringing a camera kit worth $4,000 from two different vendors, what's the possibility of them denying me the refund? For clarification I do not have an Australian passport. Would they approve the refund if I don't intend to bring them into the country when I return?

Financial

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customs.gov.au
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Comments

  • tdrive on 26/06/2019 - 16:07

    Yes

  • dasher86 on 26/06/2019 - 16:16
    +3

    You should get the refund regardless.

    If you return and the items are with you and are above your allowance then you have to pay back the GST.

    • StonedWizard on 26/06/2019 - 16:20

      @dasher86 - How do they know if you bring it back when you return? Does it work on an honour system?

      • noone on 26/06/2019 - 16:24

        They occasionally check

      • dcep on 26/06/2019 - 17:47
        +2

        they flag it randomly like the 50k tiffany rings

      • p1 ama on 26/06/2019 - 18:14
        +2

        I'm a frequent-ish traveller for work, I've seen people get caught plenty of times. Usually tourists.

        • StonedWizard on 26/06/2019 - 19:24

          @phunkydude - So when you go to customs they pull you aside and ask? I'm still confused how it all works. Not trolling just genuinely curious.

          • p1 ama on 26/06/2019 - 19:43

            @StonedWizard: Yes, you are generally caught in the same way as someone bringing drugs, guns, fruit, tigers and whatever have you into the country.

            • StonedWizard on 26/06/2019 - 22:27

              @p1 ama: @p1 ama - Thank you for the clarification. I wasn’t sure if they keep a look out for anyone who declares stuff or it’s just by luck.

              I guess it’s the same as failing to declare stuff. You’re either caught or safe.

              • p1 ama on 27/06/2019 - 00:20

                @StonedWizard:

                I wasn’t sure if they keep a look out for anyone who declares stuff or it’s just by luck.

                They're most definitely keeping a record of who's claimed large amounts.

  • bargainhunter87 on 26/06/2019 - 17:02

    Your receipt MUST have your name, address and passport number if the item is that expensive.

    • bradenpd on 22/07/2019 - 06:03
      +1

      Since when must the receipt have your passport number?

  • yolo123456789 on 26/06/2019 - 17:47

    as long as you have all the required documents (invoice with company ABN, your name, address) etc I don't think they can reject you, unless you straight up tell them you're bring them back. Having said that, if you're bringing them back, anything over $900 would need to be declared.

    Unless you bring them back without declaring them (which I do not condone) but you risk of paying more for the penalty if they do catch you. I have definitely heard stories of people bring more expensive stuff (computers, rings, cameras) overseas and got caught on the way back. Also heard (not sure if it's true) that they tag people who bring more expensive items overseas.

  • stingysavagesaver on 26/06/2019 - 18:22
    +5

    I know a friend that claimed GST on a 5K camera got the money all good. When they came back into the country they were pulled aside without warning and everything search looking for the camera to obviously to tax them. But they brought it as a gift and left it at the destination.

    • chillybags on 26/06/2019 - 20:17

      So is it actually logged against your passport? Like does it flag up when you enter customs?

      • stingysavagesaver on 26/06/2019 - 20:36
        +1

        most likely if they were pulled up and they knew who they were pulling up

        • dukeGR4 on 26/06/2019 - 21:13
          +1

          yeap, this is how they catch criminals with questionable materials in their electronic devices too. I better not risk it.

          • chillybags on 26/06/2019 - 22:59

            @dukeGR4: I have two passports. I wonder what would happen if I present my other passport to TRS leaving he country and then my Australian passport coming in.

            • wittyusername on 27/06/2019 - 12:48
              +1

              @chillybags: You need to leave and enter on your Australian passport. If they're not linked, I'm sure entering without a record of you leaving would raise a red flag.

              • BugsBunnyAUS on 28/06/2019 - 00:32

                @wittyusername: @wittyusername is correct, that is the law regarding exit/entry to AU.

                As for what to do - just declare it. Personally every time I've taken a refund on departure, I have declared on the way back in and promptly shown the door when they ask why. Could easily stop you, but not worth the risk IMO.

                • passwordistaco on 28/06/2019 - 08:02

                  @BugsBunnyAUS: Curious.. why bother declare at all if you declare when coming back in?

                  Wouldn't you just get a tax refund when you leave, then a tax bill for the same amount when you return?

                  • BugsBunnyAUS on 28/06/2019 - 22:39

                    @passwordistaco: The law says you have to declare. So by ticking No, you are making a false statement on your arrival document which is punishable by fine in addition to the tax.

                    If they bother checking or asking is one thing, but like I said I've never had an issue ticking yes.

                    • cynicor on 20/07/2019 - 21:38

                      @BugsBunnyAUS: It's easy to link the data. On leaving/claiming it's tied to your passport.
                      On return the smartgates give you a ticket/customs scan your passport (depending on if you can use the gates- kids etc).
                      The tickets have a letter printed on them. The codes change daily and one of the letters is a flag to say "check this person".
                      When you hand your ticket and inbound passenger card to the quarantine official after luggage collection, they look at the letters and either let you through or flag you and pull up your details on the computer.

  • Samsungnote10 on 22/07/2019 - 00:38

    The last two claims I've done I've asked the officer what the biggest claim they've processed was and they said $110k and $235k

    Both for watches

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