TRS for goods over $900 - Dive equipment

[ally203]

I know there's a few threads floating around about TRS but just thought I'd ask anyway..

I am going overseas in 2 weeks. I have dive equipment I am taking with me. I have regulators, computer and BCD. (I may take the BCD with me or may not, cos its kinda big and will take up a lot of space.)

Regs = $895
BCD = $900
Computer = $745

I will be travelling alone as well. What is the best route to do (and legal) to get the TRS back without having to pay coming back in?

 

[medhead]

The legal route is to only claim the TRS refund on no more than $900 worth of equipment. Actually $990 worth since once you take off the $90GSt you are back to the $900 allowance. If you claim back more, when you return (and declare the goods) you will have to pay the GST on all the equipment including the first $900. You lose your GST free allowance completely.

Note the question on the declaration is something like: do you have more than $900 of goods on which you haven't paid tax (GST or otherwise). So if you have paid the GST on the goods over $900 (and not claimed it back) you can truthfully answer no to this question.

Unless of course you can get someone else to bring in some gear.

Hope that makes sense.

The other thing is that you have to present the goods to claim about the GST so it would need to go in your carry on luggage. I assume with dive equipment weight and size might be an issue. There maybe some options to have the goods sighted at the airport before checking luggage in but you would need to contact customs about those options.

 

[nlagalle]

Sounds like this is your own gear you already own? If so you have no need to declare it if it was purchased here and you didn't claim back GST when leaving..

Edit: just re-read it. If you are claiming it back they will calculate a value based on it being used. All depends on the customs person on the day.. And how good a mood they are in..

 

[ally203]

nlagalle, so basically they will apply a depreciation to it like they do with the electronics?

I have already used these items but want to claim

 

[medhead]

You can only claim for goods purchased within 30 days of departure.


Sent from the Throne

 

[ally203]

I know that you can only claim for goods bought 30 days before.. I just dive most weeks, so by the time I leave it will be still well within 30 days

 

[Cynicor]

Should get depreciated, and you are allowed $900 per person total tax free. If you do no other tax free shopping overseas then you would have to argue over 60% depreciation to be allowed everything in duty free.

If you are travelling with another person and they have no duty free, you could fairly easily argue a $375 depreciation per person, or around 25-30% as the gear has been used a few times. Heck, if it doesn't look new then they would probably assume it's much older anyway.

 

[simongr]

I would leave the BCD at home (or take it and not claim).

That gives you $1,640 pre tax. Take off the GST and you are down to 1490. To depreciate that then to $900 or less you need to argue a 40% depreciation rate.

It is a bit of a risk but I would take it personally. The worst that can happen is that you get charged GST on one item. Frankly I wouldn't pay over 60% of list price for used dive gear.

As an FYi it is probably cheaper to buy gear overseas (UK) and get it shipped here - the UK sells ex-VAT which take 20% off the price generally quoted. Did that with my Mares ICON HD Computer and saved a packet.

 

[medhead]

The worst that can happen is that you get charged GST on one item.

If they are going to make you pay GST it will be on all items that have been claimed, not just anything over $900.


Sent from the Throne

 

[ally203]

Hi Cynicor,

Unfortunately these items do look new because I look after them. I'm going to get a friend to bring the computer home for me and Ill just take the regs I think.

 

[simongr]

If they are going to make you pay GST it will be on all items that have been claimed, not just anything over $900.


Sent from the Throne

Good to know - thought you might able to elect an item.