Hi guys,
As the title states, im thinking about buying a samsung galaxy s4 before going overseas and claiming it back on the tourist refund scheme. Do you think i would be pretty safe taking over such a valuable item or just suck it up and cop the 10% by leaving it here in Australia?
Wut?
Are you not aware of the TRS conditions?
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4646.asp#e1164
Bringing the goods back into Australia
If the goods are to be brought back into Australia, please be aware that they may be subject to GST. Normal passenger concessions apply and include any items for which a TRS claim has been approved. If the value of those goods together with overseas purchases exceeds the passenger concession, the goods must be declared to Customs on your return to Australia. Penalties apply to undeclared taxable goods.
But, as I said, it'll probably be under the concession.
any item that is worth more than $1000 is subject to gst.
Does it cost that much? (I don't know, it's out of my league.) But he's liable for GST on the excess over the concession, not the total amount.
Sorry, I should have said, why do you think you need to convince customs you are not bringing it back? There is no requirement to indicate what you intend to do with items you are claiming TRS on.
When the original poster returns, they can decide what value to declare should they be in excess of their duty free allowance.
It's unlikely the TRS officials will ask anything at all, but if they do the best policy is to acknowledge that any excess over the concession is liable for GST rather than say it's for export. Or even say you're undecided. After all, as you correctly point out, the liability is on reentry.
every day hundreds of australian do this (claims but bring back) at airport with their ipad iphone diamonds watches, etc.
Don't think there's gonna be a problem. Don't forget to include your phones in your travel insurance.
Goes out as new (in the box), comes back as used (presuming you played with it) - no duty payable.
No you don't need to have the item in the box unused, you just need the bring the main product (ie the phone) and a receipt to prove you bought it.
I used TRS several times, and they don't even ask to see the item, only the receipt.
Would it make a difference if i took it in a box there and then when i come back outside of the box?
I just wonder if customs will believe that you are not bringing it back. On the other hand it may be under your duty free allowance.