Tourist Refund Scheme

[jukebox333]

I guess the process is to have the items sighted before checking in by customs.

Yes, do!

I just got screwed by the Euro TRS at Frankfurt on this exact basis. Had some kids toys (stuffed dolls and Lego set) that were too big for carry on - but having used the Aussie TRS which is after customs clearance and check in, didn't even think to see if I had to get my papers stamped before I checked the goods into the hold.

Of course I was met with the gruff double bluntness of Goverment + Germanic Singlemindedness when I presented the papers but could not show the goods as they were tagged and on a baggage conveyor: "Zis is not now possible". Of course not.

There is nothing on any of the paperwork warning you need to do it, and there may well have been signs showing where to go, but as i wasn't looking, I didn't see them. :evil:.

It was only worth 25 Euros, but it's the principle that if a government (ANY govt.) isn't entitled to my cash, why should they have it!

My bad, but no need to make it yours!

 

[acoolbreeze]

Goods that are hold luggage can be claimed and they dont have to be oversize, althoufg golf clubs would be anyway.
But they must be sighted at the Customs office/counter prior to checking in.
Your receipt is stamped as "goods sighted" and once you clear immigration you can present your stamped receipt for a claim.

 

[medhead]

Yes, do!

I just got screwed by the Euro TRS at Frankfurt on this exact basis. Had some kids toys (stuffed dolls and Lego set) that were too big for carry on - but having used the Aussie TRS which is after customs clearance and check in, didn't even think to see if I had to get my papers stamped before I checked the goods into the hold.

Of course I was met with the gruff double bluntness of Goverment + Germanic Singlemindedness when I presented the papers but could not show the goods as they were tagged and on a baggage conveyor: "Zis is not now possible". Of course not.

There is nothing on any of the paperwork warning you need to do it, and there may well have been signs showing where to go, but as i wasn't looking, I didn't see them. :evil:.

It was only worth 25 Euros, but it's the principle that if a government (ANY govt.) isn't entitled to my cash, why should they have it!

My bad, but no need to make it yours!

That's pretty bad. Sorry to hear. You must have got a different person to me when I was there in April. Went to the window next to the claim window to have goods sighted. Handed over paperwork. Put the shopping bag on the counter started to get out the goods. The guy handed back the stamped paperwork before I could get any further.

Did you get the German TRS envelope from the store? I seem to recall that outlines the process to have the goods sighted

 

[JohnK]

Goods that are hold luggage can be claimed and they dont have to be oversize, althoufg golf clubs would be anyway.
But they must be sighted at the Customs office/counter prior to checking in.
Your receipt is stamped as "goods sighted" and once you clear immigration you can present your stamped receipt for a claim.

Thanks. Handy to know.

Does anyone have any experience with golf clubs, depreciation and TRS? I know for a fact that the golf clubs will lose more than 20% retail value after being used (and I am planning on playing 8 games with golf clubs this trip) so if overall value is now <$900 do I still have to pay GST on return into Australia?

 

[serfty]

I believe there is a 'discretionary' 20% depreciation that can applied to used goods.

It is normally applied.

They will certainly know you took them overseas due to the employment of TRS on departure.

It may have been easier to order and collect from overseas, you have up to say, THB27,000.

 

[jukebox333]

That's pretty bad. Sorry to hear. You must have got a different person to me when I was there in April. Went to the window next to the claim window to have goods sighted. Handed over paperwork. Put the shopping bag on the counter started to get out the goods. The guy handed back the stamped paperwork before I could get any further.

Did you get the German TRS envelope from the store? I seem to recall that outlines the process to have the goods sighted

I went to the claim window first, and they were great - told me I needed to go to the window next door, but gave me that "your poor cough" look when I explained the toy boxes were too big and were checked in, so they must have known where it was headed...

One refund was the envelope sort that had to be posted to Austria (I'd even bought the stamp - doh!), the other was just an extended cash register docket with places to fill out all your details.

I did read the brochure I was given with the full version - and still have it, so will check to see if it mentions how to handle checked baggage. It certainly didn't catch my attention, if it does.

I took a netbook with me last trip and got $40 refunded on the way out no problems from the Perth TRS counter - but yes, they were analytic in sighting it... govt jobsworths are the same the world over!

As I said, I'm guilty of getting it wrong in Frankfurt - mainly because I am used to the Aussie system, and didn't research what should be done with items in checked baggage

 

[JohnK]

It may have been easier to order and collect from overseas, you have up to say, THB27,000.

You are of course assuming I did not do my homework. Long story but here goes.

I saw the Titleist AP1 golf clubs a couple of weeks ago and fell in love with them. 3 irons through 7 iron are cavity back (not oversize) with very small flange and sweet spot while 8 iron through gap wedge are blades again with small sweet spot.

The best price I can do in Australia is $880 for 4 iron through gap wedge while I can order from the UK and land for ~AUD810. There are plenty of sellers on the internet in the USA selling for between USD350-USD400 but they only sell right handed clubs with no flexibility on orders and do not bother responding to emails.

Anyway in reality the clubs will only cost me ~AUD150 as I have over $700 accumulated in the pro shop from golf balls and prizes won over the last few years.

My dilemma is trying to understand TRS but I am struggling. If I claim GST refund for $880 purchase and I have to pay GST back when I return. This way I will save $10-$15 and not really worth it.

If I do not have to pay any GST on the new value of the goods when I return then potentially if the new value of the goods is not >$900 the I do not pay GST and the saving is greater.

So if I purchase goods in Australia for $1100 then I should receive a GST refund of $100 and after depreciation then the new value of the goods is $800 so in theory I do not have to pay GST and have save $100.

The other option is to leave golf clubs in storage in Thailand after this trip and use them again in October but it is a lot of time to wait and I would need to spend ~$20-$50 per month to have them in storage anyway or I can leave them at the golf bar for free but he will just hire them out to anyone and I would not want that to happen.

Anyway decisions and as no one AFF can answer question in full I will have call Customs to find out.

 

[JohnK]

I found something interesting on the customs website and I believe it answers my question.

CONDITIONS OF THE SCHEME

Australia’s TRS is different from most other refund schemes
around the world. To claim a refund you must:

• spend A$300 (GST inclusive) or more in a single store
• purchase goods no more than 30 days before departure
• wear or carry the goods on board the aircraft or ship
and present them with your original tax invoice, passport
and international boarding pass to a Customs officer at a
TRS facility on your departure from Australia
• present your claim no less than 30 minutes prior to the
scheduled departure time of your flight
• present your claim no earlier than four hours and no later
than one hour prior to the scheduled departure time of the
vessel at seaports.

Passengers wanting to claim the TRS on oversized goods
(surfboards, golf clubs) must present the goods for sighting to
the Customs Client Services prior to check-in.

My bolding.

So if golf clubs are $880 and Sureshot GPS is $300 for a total of $1180 including GST of ~$107.

After 20% depreciation the value of the goods coming back to Australia is <$900.

I shall see if I can ask for a discount on the golf clubs to make sure I come in well under the $900 threshold.

 

[medhead]

Now that you outline the story, I have another thought about the situation. When you return you have to fill in the card and make the declaration (or legal declaration for border security). Thinking of the words of the question, it asks something like; Do you have more than $900 worth of goods that you've not paid tax on? Knowing the value of the goods when you return after you use them, if you can honestly, hand on heart say they are not worth more than $900., then the answer seems obvious.

 

[JohnK]

I know a little but about golf clubs but can only guess about the GPS unit.

Golf clubs lose at least 25% once used. Why pay $600 for a used set when you can purchase new for $800 new? The depreciation for custom fitted clubs would be even more.

As for GPS devices I believe a depreciation of ~20% would apply. Would you purchase a used TomTom for $240 when the new price is $300?

Maybe that is not exactly how customs looks at it but if I was asked the question that is how I would answer. The golf clubs are now worth $500 and the GPS is $200 and the $83 Sanyo digital camera is now worth nothing....

 

[Leumas]

Is it still classified as 'goods' if you've used it?

 

[medhead]

Is it still classified as 'goods' if you've used it?

Yes, but the question is about the value of the goods.

 

[JohnK]

Do the goods purchased and taken overseas need to be in their original packaging?

I don't think so but just in case....

 

[Will]

Do the goods purchased and taken overseas need to be in their original packaging?

I don't think so but just in case....

They don't. I unpacked my laptop, for example.

 

[Leumas]

Yes, but the question is about the value of the goods.

My point was, if the 'goods' is used, I don't necessarily classify as 'goods' anymore. It's just your possession. If it's not goods, the value of said goods is not relevant.

 

[moa999]

No doubt very different if you've claimed the TRS on the way out and are flagged,

but I suspect there are a large number of people who travel regularly with say a $3000 suit, $1000 tumi bag, $2000 laptop, $1000 ipod, $500 mobile that should theoretically be declared in and out of the country every time, and never is.

 

[medhead]

My point was, if the 'goods' is used, I don't necessarily classify as 'goods' anymore. It's just your possession. If it's not goods, the value of said goods is not relevant.

Um, a possession is still goods. The goods were your possession when new and remain goods when used, the value varies. The question actually asks something like: Do you have more than $900 worth of goods on which you've claimed a tax refund, or words to that effect. So the need to declare is based on multiple elements, one of which that you have claimed a tax refund

but I suspect there are a large number of people who travel regularly with say a $3000 suit, $1000 tumi bag, $2000 laptop, $1000 ipod, $500 mobile that should theoretically be declared in and out of the country every time, and never is.

see above, the requirement to declare is based on whether you've claimed a tax refund. If traveling in and out of the country with you're usual possessions that you didn't get a refund on, or that you have already imported tax free, there is no requirement to declare. There is also provision to get the goods/possession officially noted by customs. Clothing does count BTW.

 

[JohnK]

Unfortunately golf clubs have not been delivered as promised so will more than likely take with me on next trip. How used can the clubs be assuming they have been purchased 29 days before the next trip in 4 months?

but I suspect there are a large number of people who travel regularly with say a $3000 suit, $1000 tumi bag, $2000 laptop, $1000 ipod, $500 mobile that should theoretically be declared in and out of the country every time, and never is.

Large number with a $3,000 suit and $1,000 tumi bag? I would have thought those sort of people would be rare as regular travellers and even rarer as general travellers.

 

[DeKa]

Does anyone know where the Customs Customer Service counter is Sydney (arrivals) hall.

 

[JohnK]

I called Customs the other day about taking new golf clubs out of the country and they said to take them downstairs to customs in arrivals where they will sight them and I will then take the receipt to departures airside where I will be refunded the GST.

She said the area is shared with quarantine services. I am not sure where it is and I should have asked for specific details. May call customs again before I leave next week.