Tourism Refund (TRS) for Apple products

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  verio on 11/12/2013 - 19:06

  In this case the requirement applies when there is $1000 per tax invoice (receipt), as far as I know. So you don't have to worry about that.

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    tyng on 12/12/2013 - 06:31

    Thank you, if it's per receipt then I shall be fine!

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  Lysander on 11/12/2013 - 19:44

  +1

  Maybe this is a stupid question but is it not illegal to claim back GST if you come back with the items?As far as I am aware you will have to pay the GST again when you bring the items back into Australia. I think this was even on TV when a woman brought an expensive ring back into Australia with her - she had to repay what she received when she left plus a penalty because she was not honest.

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  2jzzzz on 11/12/2013 - 21:40

  Yep, but only if items add up to be over $900 value. Electronics drop by 20% in value every three months.

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    jimbobaus on 12/12/2013 - 06:45

    They base the value on what it would reasonably cost to replace the items at time of return to Oz.
    So if the ipad is current for example and can be re-purchased in exact same configuration then thats the price they would be using.

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  dlakers3peat on 11/12/2013 - 22:27

  you don't have to take the original packaging to make a claim so to avoid paying gst again on these items just say you have had them for a year or say they different products to the ones you took overseas. there is no way they can cross check against the claim you made as they don't record serial numbers. so when you come back make sure you say you have nothing to declare.

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    jimbobaus on 12/12/2013 - 06:44

    Correct… but they can check your passport and see if an iPad or Macbook had a TRS processed against it and assume they were the same item.
    I know with my iPad they did put the serial number from the box (i had the box as it was a gift) on the receipt i got back from them.
    I would be careful, cause they are cracking down on it apparently.

    • 

      tyng on 12/12/2013 - 10:06

      But how do they know you have the iPad on your return? It's unusual for them to check your possession when exiting the airport

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        jimbobaus on 13/12/2013 - 00:49

        Unless u get randomly stopped.. when they scan your passport when u r searched it comes up with any TRS refunds

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  narbe on 12/12/2013 - 12:12

  Under T&C's

  Quote:

  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.

  End quote

  The key note here is that "it may be subject to GST"
  So normal passenger concession is 1000$ So basically all your goods added up together must not exceed 1000$ otherwise your subject to GST.
  This is rarely enforced unless your doing something very dodgey like carrying 10,000$ ring across and bringing it back.ie 1000$ GST

  If for normal electronic items, in theory they can tax you if they think it is new or have evidence that it is the exact item you claimed TRS on.

  (as above poster has stated apple products sometimes have serial on receipt)

  But these are far and in between when they actually act on it since the value of it at most is 100$ if close to 1000$ . It costs them more time & money to go through for item's that are close to 1000$.

  Saying that … you might meet a customs officer who has had a bad day…has happened!

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  golfer dad on 12/12/2013 - 22:54

  On my recent o/s trip (early Nov), I claimed the GST on an iphone 5S, Samsung smart phone and SLR camera (total $2,500). Coming back, I declared I had purchases of over $999. The custom guy asked me what I had and upon hearing my list, just mumbled something about 20% depreciation on electronic goods and therfore bring my purchases under the $1,000 threshold (it didn't) and waved me through to the exit. As someone already said, generally they can't be bothered with the paperwork and they are more interested in catching people bringing back undeclared food items or drugs. It is a decision for you to make in regards to declaring the goods or not. I've done both and never had to pay GST for electronic purchases purchased in Aust or o/s.