New TRS rules? Goods no longer included in cap?

[OZDUCK]

Generally changes with a each shift change, allowing for any cross shift processing. They are a word (or based on)for ease of remembering.

Same system was in use when I was at Perth Airport in the late 1970's. If it aint broke ----. It changed from an older system of putting a ring around a city on the then, many generations ago, pax card which had a map of Australia printed on it.

 

[justin23]

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?

We've always been able to claim duty free. The stupid thing with this rule is instead of buying from a local retailer and supporting an aussie business, they are basically pushing us to just buy overseas. Take it out of the box and 99% of the time they would even know you are bringing it back in.

 

[daft009]

My mate just bought an expensive watch and claimed TRS, declared it on the return and just got waved through

 

[DejaBrew]

My mate just bought an expensive watch and claimed TRS, declared it on the return and just got waved through

Based on a sample size of me doing the same thing once before, I'd say he was lucky. Then again, I'm still dirty about that whole incident even years down the track.

 

[kpro]

My mate just bought an expensive watch and claimed TRS, declared it on the return and just got waved through

There was a recent episode of Border Security where they re-charged the GST for a $16,000 Rolex that someone had purchased on a different trip, four weeks prior.

It looked unused though, and the person seemingly was doing this for many many items and making the trips deliberately.

 

[daft009]

There was a recent episode of Border Security where they re-charged the GST for a $16,000 Rolex that someone had purchased on a different trip, four weeks prior.

It looked unused though, and the person seemingly was doing this for many many items and making the trips deliberately.

Perhaps they are looking at the frequency too?
My mate was a first time and about $8k watch which was on his wrist when they were coming back

 

[DC3]

There was a recent episode of Border Security where they re-charged the GST for a $16,000 Rolex that someone had purchased on a different trip, four weeks prior.

Does that show do more than Chinese tourists bringing in undeclared food?

 

[DC3]

I also heard them say that the scheme is for tourists only and not for aussies shopping and travelling

 

[Duffa]

Just been to TRS with a $3,000 watch.
Asked for clarification.
Was told, yes you can claim the GST back on departure. But, on return you will have to declare it. And you only have $1,800 of duty free allowance for you and Mrs D.
At that point I thanked her and walked off.
Couldn't be coughd with all the to and fro in three weeks time.
I'll spend $70 on my first drink in Madrid.
Two drinks and I'll have more than spent the saved GST.

 

[colt75]

Just been to TRS with a $3,000 watch.
Asked for clarification.
Was told, yes you can claim the GST back on departure. But, on return you will have to declare it. And you only have $1,800 of duty free allowance for you and Mrs D.
At that point I thanked her and walked off.
Couldn't be coughd with all the to and fro in three weeks time.
I'll spend $70 on my first drink in Madrid.
Two drinks and I'll have more than spent the saved GST.

literally takes 5 minutes but each to their own.

 

[Duffa]

literally takes 5 minutes but each to their own.

I understand that they may charge duty on the full price, which could be more than the GST saved.
Also, I'm not prepared to brazen it out and just walk through. I'm a scaredy-cat.
Mrs D offered to walk through and say nothing but I still couldn't carry it off.
Nah. I'm a stickler for the rules.

 

[kpc]

I understand that they may charge duty on the full price, which could be more than the GST saved.
Also, I'm not prepared to brazen it out and just walk through. I'm a scaredy-cat.
Mrs D offered to walk through and say nothing but I still couldn't carry it off.
Nah. I'm a stickler for the rules.

I don't think anyone is saying don't declare it on return....you have to, and they will have you marked as having an expensive item....often (50+% of time), they will then just wave you through...of course it is a YMMV but an approach with no risk....they also allow a 10-20% depreciation so you should be paying less tax than the GST you got back.

 

[Duffa]

I don't think anyone is saying don't declare it on return....you have to, and they will have you marked as having an expensive item....often (50+% of time), they will then just wave you through...of course it is a YMMV but an approach with no risk....they also allow a 10-20% depreciation so you should be paying less tax than the GST you got back.

Ah, ok
Good to know!
I will give it a crack next trip

 

[Le Clair]

Here's a related fun fact.
On 1 February 2005, the "Duty Free Allowance" was set at $900 per person.
Most people use the allowance to purchase alcohol, specifically spirits, as Australia has one of the highest rates of alcohol tax in the world.
On 1 February 2005, the Australian excise tax on spirits was $60.92 per litre of alcohol. Today, it is $101.85.
If the $900 allowance was indexed at the same rate as the taxes, the $900 allowance would be $1,500 today.
For context, compared to Australia's AU$101.85 per litre of alcohol, The US Federal excise + Texas levies AU$12.91 and 15 US States have only the Federal excise of AU$10.41.

 

[Duffa]

Here's a related fun fact.
On 1 February 2005, the "Duty Free Allowance" was set at $900 per person.
Most people use the allowance to purchase alcohol, specifically spirits, as Australia has one of the highest rates of alcohol tax in the world.
On 1 February 2005, the Australian excise tax on spirits was $60.92 per litre of alcohol. Today, it is $101.85.
If the $900 allowance was indexed at the same rate as the taxes, the $900 allowance would be $1,500 today.
For context, compared to Australia's AU$101.85 per litre of alcohol, Texas levies AU$2.44 and 15 US States have no tax on spirits at all.

Texas levies AU$2.44 and 15 US States have no tax on spirits at all.

And despite this the LOTFAP have the highest GDP per capita in the world.

 

[SYD]

Here's a related fun fact.
On 1 February 2005, the "Duty Free Allowance" was set at $900 per person.
Most people use the allowance to purchase alcohol, specifically spirits, as Australia has one of the highest rates of alcohol tax in the world.
On 1 February 2005, the Australian excise tax on spirits was $60.92 per litre of alcohol. Today, it is $101.85.
If the $900 allowance was indexed at the same rate as the taxes, the $900 allowance would be $1,500 today.
For context, compared to Australia's AU$101.85 per litre of alcohol, The US Federal excise + Texas levies AU$12.91 and 15 US States have only the Federal excise of AU$10.41.

My understanding is the dollar value of booze allowance (2.25L) is in addition to the $900 for other “general goods”. So you can bring in a $900 watch and a $1000+ bottle of cognac (or two)?

 

[Duffa]

My understanding is the dollar value of booze allowance (2.25L) is in addition to the $900 for other “general goods”. So you can bring in a $900 watch and a $1000+ bottle of cognac (or two)?

Good point.

 

[Cynicor]

Here's a related fun fact.
On 1 February 2005, the "Duty Free Allowance" was set at $900 per person.
Most people use the allowance to purchase alcohol, specifically spirits, as Australia has one of the highest rates of alcohol tax in the world.

Fun because it’s complete nonsense??

 

[Duffa]

Fun because it’s complete nonsense??

Ok, so alcohol and goods are on different allowance tiers, but the OP has a point.
The goods allowance should go up with inflation or CPI or whatever

 

[Daver6]

Ok, so alcohol and goods are on different allowance tiers, but the OP has a point.
The goods allowance should go up with inflation or CPI or whatever

While we're at it, so should the $300 ATO limit of instant write-off. It's been at $300 for as long as I can remember!