Passport required to buy duty free ?

[BCons]

This is a first .. anybody know why, 20 mins ago, I would be required to show my passport and boarding pass to buy a bottle of grog at Syd Int’l duty free ?

Showing one’s BP is fair enough - to confirm overseas destination etc., but why does Heinemann need my passport as well ? The checkout person didn’t know why, and got just a bit upset that I shud even dare question her request.

Are they doing some commercial data mining, or is it a Border Farce/ATO thing - Ideas ?

 

[kevrosmith]

Are they doing some commercial data mining

Yes, this. But shhhhhh... keep it quiet.

 

[BCons]

Good... next time I’ll refuse to show my passport and see what happens !

 

[Pushka]

I’ve always had to show both

 

[eric2011]

To show that you are an actual eligible traveller and not a airside worker who has just picked up a lost BP and buying a bottle to take home after work. The shop worker checks the name on both the passport and the BP

 

[eric2011]

Good... next time I’ll refuse to show my passport and see what happens !

I know what will happen.....and I doubt it will be the outcome you want

 

[Forg]

GST?

I don't know, are we paying GST at duty free now? And hence Strayan citizens would have to pay the GST, even if not the duty?

 

[harvyk]

Good... next time I’ll refuse to show my passport and see what happens !

And what advantage are you hoping to get for refusing to show your passport?

 

[harvyk]

GST?

I don't know, are we paying GST at duty free now? And hence Strayan citizens would have to pay the GST, even if not the duty?

No GST charged anywhere in the international zone.

Many years ago there was many questions about what to do with domestic travelers who where traveling between domestic ports but on international services, since they would have access to tax free stuff without actually leaving the country

It was ultimately decided that it could simply be a small bonus for those dom travelers, although they couldn't bring any part of their purchase back into the country.

 

[NM]

To show that you are an actual eligible traveller and not a airside worker who has just picked up a lost BP and buying a bottle to take home after work. The shop worker checks the name on both the passport and the BP

Bingo. Anyone could "borrow" an eligible passport when travelling on a domestic leg of an international flight. Showing passport, which has photo ID, hopefully ensures the person purchasing is actually eligible.

Of course nothing stopping an eligible person from purchasing for a friend travelling domestic only, but we won't go there ... Its not a perfect system, but there is at least an attempt to be seen to be enforcing the rules.

 

[Boca68]

Not that I buy duty free all that often, but in my experience its pretty much standard practice. Although not enforced sometimes.

I don't have a problem as, seeing I'm already airside, darn good chance the passport is handy.

As for commercial data mining? You have just been data mined for this post. Why does one offend and not the other?

 

[OZDUCK]

Good... next time I’ll refuse to show my passport and see what happens !

The person you dealt with was probably not properly trained. They are required to sight a ticket or boarding pass plus a valid passport under the terms of their license to operate as a "Duty Free Shop" - Guide below - see Paras 4.2.9 (for Inwards Shops) and 4.3.2 (for Outwards Shops). If they don't sight your passport they would be in breach of their operating conditions and liable to sanction. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Licensing/Documents/duty-free-operator-guide2017.pdf