New TRS rules? Goods no longer included in cap?

[colt75]

A little off topic, but, I was pulled aside after collecting a hard rifle case from oversized baggage and not having declared anything. Customs officer approached me and questioned what I had in the case (before I got to the exit of the baggage hall) . I responded that I had my dirty underwear in it. Nevertheless I was sent to the inspection area and was asked to open the case. He was very shocked to be confronted with about 3 weeks of dirty underwear

You'd think they would already know what's in the case with their xrays lol

 

[Le Clair]

Made a TRS claim 2 weeks ago for $2,400, told the officer that I would be declaring on the way back. She asked why, I said because that’s the law. She giggled.
Came back in, declared the goods. The officer asked if I had used it overseas, I said yes, that’s why I purchased it.
He immediately told me to have a good day and sent me to the exit.

 

[Warragul]

I'm not sure that anything would have happened if I had used an automated gate (or maybe that's why the gate didn't work), because I know that they don't have a screen when they review the incoming passenger declarations.

Match an ABF warning list is not an automatic bounce from Smartgate, most matches process as normal.

 

[Duffa]

Sorry, if this has been answered but I have searched the thread and cant find one.
I want to buy a handbag in Europe at $4,000 (yes, blokes reading this.. ladies are spending their hard-earned on items like these) Apparently 4k is "cheap", but I digress.
Anyway French GST is 20% - I can claim back 12% in the shop using the refund scheme
I will declare the bag on the way back but NOWHERE, nowhere can I find out how much duty and GST will be levied upon my return.
Has anyone done this at Customs on arrival and do you have an idea how much it will cost?
The bag is also about $200AUD cheaper here in France.

Please and thank you.
D

 

[Warragul]

It looks like 5% Customs, if my tariff classification skills are still usable, and 10% GST which works out at 15.5% of the value assessed (GST is applied to the Customs Duty).

Scroll down to 42.02.

https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-ex...ent-tariff/schedule-3/section-viii/chapter-42

 

[Danger]

Is there an actual requirement that the good you get a refund on must leave the country?

This page says you have to check-in oversize and restricted goods, but I don't see anything about goods outside of those two categories.

 

[SYD]

Is there an actual requirement that the good you get a refund on must leave the country?

This page says you have to check-in oversize and restricted goods, but I don't see anything about goods outside of those two categories.

Yes.

If not an "oversize" item, you're required to have the item(s) with you to show ABF staff when you present the claim at TRS (by definition, that's normally air side and you've "left the country"). Which is presumably the reason "arrivals" DF exists?

 

[Danger]

Yes.

If not an "oversize" item, you're required to have the item(s) with you to show ABF staff when you present the claim at TRS (by definition, that's normally air side and you've "left the country"). Which is presumably the reason "arrivals" DF exists?

So the airside TRS claim counter is just for oversized items that can't be taken as carry-on?

 

[SYD]

So the airside TRS claim counter is just for oversized items that can't be taken as carry-on?

If you mean "landside", then yes. Although, I believe some people have claimed things that aren't oversized but want to pack into checked luggage.

Presumably it would be an offence to then not actually check those items.

 

[lovestotravel]

Sorry, if this has been answered but I have searched the thread and cant find one.
I want to buy a handbag in Europe at $4,000 (yes, blokes reading this.. ladies are spending their hard-earned on items like these) Apparently 4k is "cheap", but I digress.
Anyway French GST is 20% - I can claim back 12% in the shop using the refund scheme
I will declare the bag on the way back but NOWHERE, nowhere can I find out how much duty and GST will be levied upon my return.
Has anyone done this at Customs on arrival and do you have an idea how much it will cost?
The bag is also about $200AUD cheaper here in France.

Please and thank you.
D

Why declare it ?

I have purchased several watches overseas and claimed back the 5% or so Swiss tax and then just entered Australia again

 

[Warragul]

So the airside TRS claim counter is just for oversized items that can't be taken as carry-on?

No, the airside counter is for the non oversized/restricted items ( is needs to be checked in).

ABF website says they will check the goods are exported.The ATO state the good must be worn or carried on board.

Tourist refund scheme | Australian Taxation Office

The tourist refund scheme applies to goods purchased at prices that include GST or WET.

www.ato.gov.au

 

[Danger]

If you mean "landside", then yes. Although, I believe some people have claimed things that aren't oversized but want to pack into checked luggage.

Presumably it would be an offence to then not actually check those items.

Yes, my mistake. Landside.

The bit I find strange, though, is that the TRS page on Home Affairs is quite well organised: "You must", "You can't", "You should", "You can". Nowhere that I can see does it say 'You must take the goods with you out of the country'.

I agree it would be an offence to not take the goods as carry-on if directed". There is also "You must ... have oversized and restricted goods sighted by ABF Client services before checking in and take the stamped invoices to the TRS Facility on the day of departure". What is the "TRS Facility"? I wonder if that's only airside.

No, the airside counter is for the non oversized/restricted items ( is needs to be checked in).

ABF website says they will check the goods are exported.The ATO state the good must be worn or carried on board.

Tourist refund scheme | Australian Taxation Office

The tourist refund scheme applies to goods purchased at prices that include GST or WET.

www.ato.gov.au

Interesting that a passenger apparently needs to view the ATO website for that info when it's not on the Home Affairs site.

Where does the ABF website say it checks goods are exported?

 

[Warragul]

Why declare it ?

I have purchased several watches overseas and claimed back the 5% or so Swiss tax and then just entered Australia again

In pedantic legal terms that's smuggling, but chances are you'll get away with it. Just don't complain if you get sprung.

 

[Warragul]

Yes, my mistake. Landside.

The bit I find strange, though, is that the TRS page on Home Affairs is quite well organised: "You must", "You can't", "You should", "You can". Nowhere that I can see does it say 'You must take the goods with you out of the country'.

I agree it would be an offence to not take the goods as carry-on if directed". There is also "You must ... have oversized and restricted goods sighted by ABF Client services before checking in and take the stamped invoices to the TRS Facility on the day of departure". What is the "TRS Facility"? I wonder if that's only airside.



Interesting that a passenger apparently needs to view the ATO website for that info when it's not on the Home Affairs site.

Where does the ABF website say it checks goods are export

Yes, my mistake. Landside.

The bit I find strange, though, is that the TRS page on Home Affairs is quite well organised: "You must", "You can't", "You should", "You can". Nowhere that I can see does it say 'You must take the goods with you out of the country'.

I agree it would be an offence to not take the goods as carry-on if directed". There is also "You must ... have oversized and restricted goods sighted by ABF Client services before checking in and take the stamped invoices to the TRS Facility on the day of departure". What is the "TRS Facility"? I wonder if that's only airside.



Interesting that a passenger apparently needs to view the ATO website for that info when it's not on the Home Affairs site.

Where does the ABF website say it checks goods are exported?

It is Tax legislation and they run the policy, ABF implement the airport size of things.

Last dot point under the 'We will' heading, on Making a Claim page re checking for export.

 

[SYD]

Yes, my mistake. Landside.

The bit I find strange, though, is that the TRS page on Home Affairs is quite well organised: "You must", "You can't", "You should", "You can". Nowhere that I can see does it say 'You must take the goods with you out of the country'.

I agree it would be an offence to not take the goods as carry-on if directed". There is also "You must ... have oversized and restricted goods sighted by ABF Client services before checking in and take the stamped invoices to the TRS Facility on the day of departure". What is the "TRS Facility"? I wonder if that's only airside.



Interesting that a passenger apparently needs to view the ATO website for that info when it's not on the Home Affairs site.

Where does the ABF website say it checks goods are exported?

The very first para on the TRS page says:

“International travellers (including Australians) might be able to claim a GST (Goods and Services Tax) and WET (Wine Equalisation Tax) refund for some goods bought in Australia that you then take out of the country with you on a plane or ship”

ie they leave the country with you.

It does also state:

“You must​

• be prepared to take all your goods on board as carry-on luggage if directed”

So yes, odd there’s isn’t a “must take out of country with you”, it’s reasonably clear that you need to.

 

[Lynda2475]

What is the "TRS Facility"? I wonder if that's only airside.

Yes its airside only.

 

[Daver6]

No, the airside counter is for the non oversized/restricted items ( is needs to be checked in).

ABF website says they will check the goods are exported.The ATO state the good must be worn or carried on board.

Tourist refund scheme | Australian Taxation Office

The tourist refund scheme applies to goods purchased at prices that include GST or WET.

www.ato.gov.au

My experience with the landside is they're the most unfriendly and unhelpful people ever. At both PER and SYD I've had a fair bit of bulky clothing I wanted to claim. They refused to stamp the docket as sited as they said I could take it as carry on. Problem was, not the volume I had. Total power trip.

In the end of took what I could as carry on and checked the rest. When claiming airside, I explained the situation and that I didn't have all the clothes for them to site as some was checked in. The guy said as long as he could see some he was happy.

 

[Lynda2475]

Years ago I claimed my travelpack (a large 85L back pack that exceeded the carry-on size) and some of the hiking gear inside it on TRS by getting paperwork stamped landside and then checking said bag. Although the tablet I was also claiming did come onboard at hand luggage.

 

[Duffa]

So, to answer my own question, it would seem that every member of AFF has either stayed under the 900/1800 limit or is simply a smuggler willing to take the risk!

 

[Le Clair]

So answer my own question, it would seem that every member of AFF has either stayed under the 900/1800 limit or is simply a smuggler willing to take the risk!

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 the antithesis of profit!