How would customs know someone has TRS-claimed good(s) on them?

[Beautybeast]

Genuine question. If you have been gifted goods which the gifter has claimed TRS on, and you bring or wear the goods back to Australia, how would customs know that you’re wearing or bringing goods that have been claimed for TRS if you don’t declare it? (Given you are the gift recipient and you were not the person who claimed tax on the goods).

 

[aikman]

They wont

 

[JohnK]

I don't think they do.

I claimed GST refund on golf club early April and returned with that club this week. Nothing was said by anyone. Club is damaged and worthless but they're not know that is the case.

 

[MARTINE]

A gift is priceless when given but worthless when taken travelling …

I will trademark that!

 

[Quickstatus]

I can't see how they don't know because when you apply for the TRS, your name , passport, tax invoice, credit card are recorded.

 

[JohnK]

I can't see how they don't know because when you apply for the TRS, your name , passport, tax invoice, credit card are recorded.

But how do they know goods are on you on return?

 

[justinbrett]

Whether or not it’s a gift it still has to be within the duty free limits of $900.

Whether it’s been claimed on TRS or if it was a gift is irrelevant.

 

[Pushka]

Whether or not it’s a gift it still has to be within the duty free limits of $900.

Whether it’s been claimed on TRS or if it was a gift is irrelevant.

If it's a gift then you won't know the price. Worthless in fact, as posted above.

 

[justinbrett]

If it's a gift then you won't know the price. Worthless in fact, as posted above.

Doesn’t matter. Customs will decide.

 

[Pushka]

Doesn’t matter. Customs will decide.

How will they know they even need to decide?

 

[justinbrett]

How will they know they even need to decide?

Same way they find anything that requires duty or are prohibited.

As always the onus on the passenger to prove its origin and value, otherwise you are subject to the customs valuation.

 

[Pushka]

Same way they find anything that requires duty or are prohibited.

As always the onus on the passenger to prove its origin and value, otherwise you are subject to the customs valuation.

Which is kind of useless because they have no way of knowing if you left the country wearing it in the first place. In the case of apparel. I wear my rings, over $10k, when did I get them? They aren't wedding/engagement rings

 

[MARTINE]

Same way they find anything that requires duty or are prohibited.

As always the onus on the passenger to prove its origin and value, otherwise you are subject to the customs valuation.

It was a gift to the traveller who did not get the benefit of the TRS. Traveller details not in the chain

 

[justinbrett]

It was a gift to the traveller who did not get the benefit of the TRS. Traveller details not in the chain

TRS is irrelevant.

 

[MARTINE]

TRS is irrelevant.

I think I have lost track of the issue..
Didn’t OP address the Q specifically in respect of TRS

 

[Pushka]

TRS is irrelevant.

Yes and No. if TRS is claimed then that is the only method they have to track.

 

[justinbrett]

Yes and No. if TRS is claimed then that is the only method they have to track.

If I bring in a brand new $2K iPad, it makes no difference if I got it and claimed TRS on the way out, someone else claimed the TRS and gifted it to me, or I bought it overseas (and Australia doesn’t care if you pay overseas duty or not).

If they suspect it is new the onus is on you to prove it was bought in Australia and tax has already been paid.

Do they check this every time? Absolutely not. But the question was about the combination of gifts and TRS and the answer is it’s irrelevant.

 

[aikman]

Same way they find anything that requires duty or are prohibited.

Unless they get a tip off then that would be by physical inspection.

If a customs officer sees that [insert physical item here] in your baggage, how will they know that someone else had claimed a GST refund on that item? The answer is they won't.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Which is kind of useless because they have no way of knowing if you left the country wearing it in the first place. In the case of apparel. I wear my rings, over $10k, when did I get them? They aren't wedding/engagement rings

I think the requirement is that you have to declare them, and discuss with customs if asked.

There used to be a form you could fill out for high value items you’d purchased and used in Australia before taking them overseas with you. That would be your proof that the item had already been taxed in Australia.

Post automatically merged: Today at 9:08 AM

Unless they get a tip off then that would be by physical inspection.

If a customs officer sees that [insert physical item here] in your baggage, how will they know that someone else had claimed a GST refund on that item? The answer is they won't.

They won’t, but you might need to prove you took it out of the country with you to start with. There is actually a form for things like high value cameras and computers. You can fill it out before you leave.

 

[justinbrett]

If a customs officer sees that [insert physical item here] in your baggage, how will they know that someone else had claimed a GST refund on that item? The answer is they won't.

Again, they don’t care. The onus is on you to prove it’s not liable for duty.