TRS claims with a lower AUD = higher prices

[get me outta here]

Just looking at the Border Force (farcical), site and I'm thinking that a pretty basic iphone is now more like AUD1200 here < departure. (Of course, via QF or VA estore for 2 points per $ )

So, nowadays how are they calculating the refund, as it is still $900? What about over AUD900?

Am aware we need the name and address on the receipt > AUD 1000.

Are you a traveller?

 

[Cynicor]

I think you are confusing the refund with the duty free allowance. The two are unrelated.

You will get the full gst back via TRS. You need to declare the full amount on return.

 

[straitman]

You will get the full gst back via TRS. You need to declare the full amount on return.

Though they do allow substantial depreciation.

 

[Cynicor]

Though they do allow substantial depreciation.

Indeed they may if it has been used/appears used.

And you can pool the limit among your travelling party.

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, I am confused. Last time I claimed at the TRS for my $900 phone, I got back 11% or whatever it was into my account, and didn't do anything on the return, and used it whilst away.

This time it is my daughter on a short trip and it will be used. If we pay $1200 is it the same routine, take the named receipt to TRS and get x gst back? Is there a limit on that?

 

[medhead]

Yes, I am confused. Last time I claimed at the TRS for my $900 phone, I got back 11% or whatever it was into my account, and didn't do anything on the return, and used it whilst away.

This time it is my daughter on a short trip and it will be used. If we pay $1200 is it the same routine, take the named receipt to TRS and get x gst back? Is there a limit on that?

You get the full GST that was paid as a refund. There is no limit. You calculate this by dividing the purchase price by 11. i.e. $900/11 That is not the same as 11%. On return each adult has an allowance of $900 each, $450 per child. You can pool this allowance. e.g. 2 adults $1800 allowance. This is completely separate to refunded amount.

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks medhead.

You get the full GST that was paid as a refund. There is no limit. You calculate this by dividing the purchase price by 11. i.e. $900/11 That is not the same as 11%. On return each adult has an allowance of $900 each, $450 per child. You can pool this allowance. e.g. 2 adults $1800 allowance. This is completely separate to refunded amount.

 

[medhead]

Thanks medhead.

I should've added that if you go over the allowance you have to pay GST on the full amount. You don't get $900 free and then pay GST on the amount above $900.

I know someone has said you need to claim the full amount. I personally don't do so. for example if I have a item for $1100 and claim back the $100 GST, then I will use $1000 as the amount to measure against my allowance. That because the cost of the item is $1000 with the refund of GST.

 

[coriander]

I've usually declared items >limit and have never been asked to pay.

I returned solo from USA last year (October), ticked the >$900 box as I had taken out and claimed TRS on ~$2500 goods.

Coming in with Smartgate etc. nowadays, you don't actually see any human till the exit gate.

The BF lass at the exit gate asked "what have you got?" (she didn't ask the value.)
I replied "compact camera, wedding ring, Bose QC25s".
"Great headphones, aren't they?" she replied..... and waved me through.

They don't seem interested in low value items.

 

[coriander]

<SNIP> take the named receipt to TRS and get x gst back? <SNIP>

Also, download and use the smartphone TRS app (available for both Android and Apple) when claiming TRS: it'll shorten your queuing up time from 30+ minutes to 3 or 4 minutes because there's a dedicated TRS-app queue.

 

[Cynicor]

Also, download and use the smartphone TRS app (available for both Android and Apple) when claiming TRS: it'll shorten your queuing up time from 30+ minutes to 3 or 4 minutes because there's a dedicated TRS-app queue.

Not in WA (at least whenever I've been through lately)

 

[coriander]

Not in WA (at least whenever I've been through lately)

My experience with TRS q is limited to MEL last year and SYD last month.

 

[JohnK]

This time it is my daughter on a short trip and it will be used. If we pay $1200 is it the same routine, take the named receipt to TRS and get x gst back? Is there a limit on that?

Assuming the GST paid by your daughter was $109.09 then that is the refund that she will get.

The phone is now worth $1090.91 and she would be allowed a 20% depreciation while she is away so the value of the phone when she returns will be $872.72 and assuming she isn't bringing in any other duty free items she is below her allowance.

And in my experience customs and quarantine don't care about small amounts of GST that need to be paid on these types of items even if you do get some duty free alcohol/perfume etc. Of course YMMV.

 

[drewbles]

Indeed they may if it has been used/appears used.

And you can pool the limit among your travelling party.

Electronic equipment is like a new car. The second you 'drive it off the lot' the value plummets. Simply using a new phone will wipe 30-40% of its value of as a rule.

 

[porterble]

And in my experience customs and quarantine don't care about small amounts of GST that need to be paid on these types of items even if you do get some duty free alcohol/perfume etc. Of course YMMV.

In my experience they mainly care about people taking $10k wedding/engagement rings out of the country to get married and then coming back with them after claiming TRS. Both of the significant arguments in Syd TRS back in November when i went through 14 days apart were on that, almost carbon copy down to the same guy processing their (and my) refund.