New TRS rules? Goods no longer included in cap?

There is another way of thinking of it rather than smuggling.
By the time you bring the handbag back (yes, I'm a man and I don't understand handbags - thanks for pointing that out 😂) it will be used/secondhand and you will, presumably, be keeping it for personal use.
Smuggling is generally the sale of new, smuggled goods, for profit. Buying a $4,000 bag for personal use is anything but profitable!

Pretty much
 
One of the first things one learns as a trainee Border Force Officer is a few legal definitions such as -
(From the Customs Act)
"Smuggling" means any importation, introduction or exportation or attempted importation, introduction or exportation of goods with intent to defraud the revenue.

Section 233 states (amongst other things) a person shall not smuggle any goods or "unlawfully convey or have in his or her possession any smuggled goods or prohibited imports or prohibited exports".
This is a fairly broad power,and is silent about new or used or selling such goods, so in a strict sense that is irrelevant as to whether smuggling has occurred. Those factors come into play as to how any such goods are treated with regard to travellers as opposed to a 20ft container of tobacco.
 
I have a solution.
"You can buy a bag darling if you keep it under $1800"
Simples
Or get a cracking discount on the bag if you pay full fare (and then some) on the matching frock (that’s exempt from the DF allowance - so long at is not fur).
 
Just claimed $800 worth of clothes. Told in no uncertain terms that I need to tick yes to question 3 when returning. Makes no sense as the question asks if you have over $900 worth of stuff. Also, what's the value of dirty clothes?

This is on the receipt
20231203_221617.jpg
 
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Just claimed $800 worth of clothes. Told in no uncertain terms that I need to tick yes to question 3 when returning. Makes no sense as the question asks if you have over $900 worth of stuff. Also, what's the value of dirty clothes?

This is on the receipt
View attachment 356098
Interesting @Daver6
Asked TRS in Melbourne upon departure in September about question 3.
As item was less than $900 ( phone) was told the answer was NO.
No issues upon arrival.
 
The GST Refund status and associated rules and regulations. Awareness of what is the correct procedure.

For example, buying leather goods or Jewellery and claiming GST AT THE AIRPORT then exporting. What happens if these items return to Australia in due time? Say in 1 month or two months time? What about 12 months?

The GST Refund thread has been previously closed but it is worthwhile knowing the rules so as to avoid problems later.
 
The GST Refund status and associated rules and regulations. Awareness of what is the correct procedure.

For example, buying leather goods or Jewellery and claiming GST AT THE AIRPORT then exporting. What happens if these items return to Australia in due time? Say in 1 month or two months time? What about 12 months?

The GST Refund thread has been previously closed but it is worthwhile knowing the rules so as to avoid problems later.
The key issue is if the items return with you on the trip you’ve claimed them (whether that be 1 day later or 10 mths later). You‘re still subject to DF limits and exemptions on your customs declaration (whether items purchased OS or as a TRS claim leaving Oz). The longer the time away and if things are used/worn (not still in shrink wrap) would factor into the depreciated value?

No idea what the rules are if you leave an item in your holiday house in Europe and bring it back later on another trip.
 
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The machines print a letter of the alphabet on your SmartGate ticket every time you pass through. The officers check which letter you have at the exit, and if you have one with a meaning other than 'go straight out', they can point you in the right direction for the relevant check. The letters seem to change regularly and between airports. But basically, don't do the wrong thing and it won't matter what latter you get, haha.
Is there a list of letters and what they mean published anywhere?
Eg, my AU passport had a "K" printed on the ticket at Sydney yesterday.
 
Just claimed $800 worth of clothes. Told in no uncertain terms that I need to tick yes to question 3 when returning. Makes no sense as the question asks if you have over $900 worth of stuff. Also, what's the value of dirty clothes?

This is on the receipt
View attachment 356098

I’ve had someone say that on the way out a couple times and on the way back just waved through (even with an iPhone claimed at $2,100)

Its also obvious that some staff at TRS counter have no idea what they are talking about
 
Is there a list of letters and what they mean published anywhere?
Eg, my AU passport had a "K" printed on the ticket at Sydney yesterday.
I dare say that sort of information is considered by Border Force to be confidential in nature.
 
Is there a list of letters and what they mean published anywhere?
Eg, my AU passport had a "K" printed on the ticket at Sydney yesterday.

I dare say that sort of information is considered by Border Force to be confidential in nature.

I'm thinking of starting a thread to see if we can crack the code. Which letters gets you sent aside for additional screening and which don't.

I had K a week ago and was sent straight through.
 
I'm thinking of starting a thread to see if we can crack the code. Which letters gets you sent aside for additional screening and which don't.

I had K a week ago and was sent straight through.

You might be wasting your time if the process is simply “D” is the letter of the day for screening and ignore all other random letters and tomorrow the letter of the day is “F”.
 
Just went through TRS at BNE.

My partner claimed a lot including expensive mobile phone. They gave the usual spiel about items having to be declared if returned.

I also heard them say that the scheme is for tourists only and not for aussies shopping and travelling. If it is, why do they allow us to claim?

I do sometimes wonder if it is worth the hassle. They do like to make it difficult.
 
I also heard them say that the scheme is for tourists only and not for aussies shopping and travelling. If it is, why do they allow us to claim?

Sounds like the same person who made the same BS comment (and more like you will have to pay it all back on your return) on my way out of BNE in December. There were no issues on return whatsoever, just waived through.
 
You might be wasting your time if the process is simply “D” is the letter of the day for screening and ignore all other random letters and tomorrow the letter of the day is “F”.

It's certainly possible it changes daily, but I would have thought that might be a little complicated for staff to remember with such a frequent change. It still might be fun.
 
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It's certainly possible it changes daily, but I would have thought that might be a little complicated for staff to remember with such a frequent change. It still might be fun.

At the leisure centre I used to go to they had a waxed paper wrist band for those that had paid extra for pool/spa/sauna. They had a random new colour/pattern each day so if you tried to keep the wrist band on it might not come up for another 7-10days and wrecked by then.
 
At the leisure centre I used to go to they had a waxed paper wrist band for those that had paid extra for pool/spa/sauna. They had a random new colour/pattern each day so if you tried to keep the wrist band on it might not come up for another 7-10days and wrecked by then.
Msac ?
 
It's certainly possible it changes daily, but I would have thought that might be a little complicated for staff to remember with such a frequent change. It still might be fun.
Generally changes with a each shift change, allowing for any cross shift processing. They are a word (or based on)for ease of remembering.
 
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