TRS - bring the goods back

[gumpy]

Hey

I'm just got the GST back on my MBA. The guy at trs told me that I need to declare the laptop on the way back in to pay gst on it...

The thing is, is there a way for them to tell at the time of return if I've declared it or not?

I don't want to get into the bad books of custom but I just know so many people that do this and not declare it...

>< I don't want to give them the 138 bucks back >< but at the same time I don't want to be black listed forever cause of 138 bucks...

 

[markis10]

Hey

I'm just got the GST back on my MBA. The guy at trs told me that I need to declare the laptop on the way back in to pay gst on it...

The thing is, is there a way for them to tell at the time of return if I've declared it or not?

I don't want to get into the bad books of custom but I just know so many people that do this and not declare it...

>< I don't want to give them the 138 bucks back >< but at the same time I don't want to be black listed forever cause of 138 bucks...

Have you noticed that Customs look after the TRS, which means they have access to the customs database????? Declare your goods on the way back in and you will probably find its value has dropped below the taxable threshold, dont declare and you may well find that you have raised a flag and things wont be so easy.

 

[medhead]

I think the short answer is that you should declare all goods over the duty free allowance of $900 per person travelling. I'm sure people will share many experiences. I declared a MBP last year and got hit with tax in future I probably wouldn't bother for the price range. But it is breaking the law to not declare. Also they charge duty on the full amount including the $900 allowance. There are penalties for not declaring.

 

[benhadi]

Yes when you get your GST back from TRS it is recorded. When you come back in, the customs officer looking at your passport and incoming passenger card has access to everything.

Once your record is tainted, you will be forever flagged, which is a bad thing. It's a bit like bad credit.

Note that you have a $900 (per person) allowance where duties/GST is not payable. So even if you get TRS on your way out, you are not automatically subject to tax when you bring the goods back.

And if you are not travelling alone, the $900 per person allowance can be pooled with your travelling group. Makes a lot of difference.

And don't forget clothing (including shoes, but not accessories) are NOT included in the $900 allowance. There is threshold for clothing.

So in other words, if you buy a 10k suit in Aussie, get 1/11 back on your way out, but when you bring it back in, it is not assessed as part of the $900 allowance, and NOT taxable.

For electronic items (camera, computers etc) they usually allow 20% depreciation if it's "used" (i.e. not brand spanking new) when you bring it back in.

Sorry for the succint, point-form response. Hope this helps.

 

[gumpy]

Your responses are fantastic. Will declare and see what happens...

 

[benhadi]

If you are only claiming the MBA on your way out, and there are more than 2 of u on the way back, then you don't even need to declare it as the value will be less than $1800 even before you take into account depreciation. My understanding is that you declare only if the value of the goods exceed the allowance before you take into consideration depreciation. Otherwise it just makes everything more laborious unnecessarily.

 

[gumpy]

traveling alone ><

 

[p20]

Hi

I also did this last year with an MBP, claimed TRS on the way out and declared it on return. Was out of Australia 15 days. Whilst away, I used the MBP for internet, Skype, etc. etc. Had to repay approx 2/3 of the original GST so you are still in front by a little - but when it comes to tax, any win is a win in my book.

Apparently if you intend to use the item overseas, it's yours and will be depreciated - the amount of depreciation depends on the time you're been out of Australia on this one trip.

I also was told by the TRS people on departure that as the MBP was over the $900 limit that I needed to declare it upon return as they can and do cross-check. (I was travelling solo - see other comments re limits when travelling as a family).

My suggestion with your MBA, buy it and a suitable sleeve/case, set it up the way you want, LEAVE THE PACKAGING AT HOME and use it overseas. (If you did take the packaging with you, leave it overseas).

Hope this helps and enjoy your trip!

 

[markis10]

If you are only claiming the MBA on your way out, and there are more than 2 of u on the way back, then you don't even need to declare it as the value will be less than $1800 even before you take into account depreciation. My understanding is that you declare only if the value of the goods exceed the allowance before you take into consideration depreciation. Otherwise it just makes everything more laborious unnecessarily.

That may be true if nothing else is purchased overseas that would add to the taxable value of goods being imported/re-imported.

Its also wise to declare anything outbound that you will be bringing back in that could be claimed by customs as possibly being purchased on the trip if you dont have receipts to prove otherwise and are in as new condition:

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/b263gst1.pdf

 

[wumpyr]

just a note on TRS - if the TRS guy did more than just process your refund, i.e. they took photocopies of the receipt and had a longer conversation with you regarding declaration or telling you something along the lines of "there is no point claiming this amount because the tax on the way back in will be similar" then it is highly likely you will be flagged by them on entry, immigration see it as you are processed and will write a different code on your declaration form and you will be pulled aside for full manual inspection. ensure your declaration is correct or you don't have the goods in question.

 

[Bundy Bear]

TRS is good for any purchases between $300 and $900, for anything above $900 it really isn't worth the trouble.

I brought a netbook about $900 and received about $80 back, did this last year.

TRS is good for cameras as you can show them the camera with box and invoice of course.

Purchase has to be within 1 month of travel.

 

[gumpy]

just a note on TRS - if the TRS guy did more than just process your refund, i.e. they took photocopies of the receipt and had a longer conversation with you regarding declaration or telling you something along the lines of "there is no point claiming this amount because the tax on the way back in will be similar" then it is highly likely you will be flagged by them on entry, immigration see it as you are processed and will write a different code on your declaration form and you will be pulled aside for full manual inspection. ensure your declaration is correct or you don't have the goods in question.

Nah no photocopies or anything... just said you'll need to declare this on the way in. I will declare... I travel way too much to risk being blacklisted and most people here suggest TRS and Immigration are linked.

I just didn't know of the limit and plan the purchase based on the gst component as well ><

such is life, you win some you lose some...

 

[benhadi]

Note that the officers at entry borders are actually customs officers, not immigration officers. The person doing TRS is also a customs officer.

I know customs and immigration are linked, just not sure how tightly linked they are.

 

[gumpy]

Note that the officers at entry borders are actually customs officers, not immigration officers. The person doing TRS is also a customs officer.

I know customs and immigration are linked, just not sure how tightly linked they are.

OK
Just got home and i want to share what happened.

I declared the laptop. The immigrations officer appeared to be shocked when she saw the one yes in that column, she was about to do the routine when she stopped in her tracks and glanced back at the screen, she scribbled a P and a C on the card.

Waiting for my bag the officers that walk around the place visited. She was like "oh you're going to customs?" She asked me a whole bunch of stuff about golf products... and also asked if I had golf shoes or anything like that, I was standing their in a suit...

Anyway she stamped something and said just go the normal exit as normal the officer at the exit gate will sort you out.

At the exit gate the lady officer looked at the card, asked what is it? I answered I've got a laptop. "How old is it?" "it's now 1 month," showed her the stm sleeve it was in, "oh it's a small laptop, depreciation would have taken care of that, you walk out to that exit" pointing to her left which was completely empty.

Saved me five mins of waiting for my bags to be scanned.

I think that section of customs was closed this evening... I dunno, I'm lucky and quite glad I did declare. I guess karma supports the correct actions... =)

thought it'd close the loop on this thread.

thanks for the responses.

 

[Homer]

Good old Aussie public servants. Their fear of doing any extra paperwork often works in our favour - except when reporting a minor theft to a suburban police station...

 

[gumpy]

Yes when you get your GST back from TRS it is recorded. When you come back in, the customs officer looking at your passport and incoming passenger card has access to everything.

Once your record is tainted, you will be forever flagged, which is a bad thing. It's a bit like bad credit.

Note that you have a $900 (per person) allowance where duties/GST is not payable. So even if you get TRS on your way out, you are not automatically subject to tax when you bring the goods back.

And if you are not travelling alone, the $900 per person allowance can be pooled with your travelling group. Makes a lot of difference.

And don't forget clothing (including shoes, but not accessories) are NOT included in the $900 allowance. There is threshold for clothing.

So in other words, if you buy a 10k suit in Aussie, get 1/11 back on your way out, but when you bring it back in, it is not assessed as part of the $900 allowance, and NOT taxable.

For electronic items (camera, computers etc) they usually allow 20% depreciation if it's "used" (i.e. not brand spanking new) when you bring it back in.

Sorry for the succint, point-form response. Hope this helps.

Benaldi - I'm about to claim a 1.4k suit and just would like to read up on where it says that it's not part of the 900 calculation, do you know where it's written?

 

[Mal]

Benaldi - I'm about to claim a 1.4k suit and just would like to read up on where it says that it's not part of the 900 calculation, do you know where it's written?

duty free concession

Most personal items such as new clothing, footwear, and articles for personal hygiene and grooming (excluding fur and perfume concentrates) may be brought into Australia in your accompanied baggage, free from duty and tax.

 

[gumpy]

duty free concession

Do they specify the exceptions... what worries me is how it says "most"

 

[Mal]

Do they specify the exceptions... what worries me is how it says "most"

I have seen it written elsewhere that "clothing for personal use and not for resale" is what is covered. My suggestion is to contact Customs and get the official answer to your question - you are the one relying on the accuracy (or non-accuracy) of any response.

 

[medhead]

Do they specify the exceptions... what worries me is how it says "most"

In the bit quoted they specify fur and perfume as exceptions. But yes get the answer from customs. However, I asked about handbags and they weren't very helpful/clear in the reply.