Hi All,
I've just turned 18, heading overseas to LA with my GF (17)
In the last month i've purchased an iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s+, Apple Watch Milanese Loop.
As i will be heading overseas with these, am i eligible for the TRS?
As i know you're not meant to bring them back with you, what will happen if they question me at customs why i still have the items in my possession?
This is my first time heading overseas.
Thank you!
As i will be heading overseas with these, am i eligible for the TRS?
Look I wouldn't bother. You can get 'randomly' selected and if they find you didn't declare them there is a $500 fine along with the GST you have to pay back.
highly unlikely that they will bother you. I have claimed from TRS couple of times before and have never had issues. However I think it was only once that I brought the item back.
The more important point is raised by battler above, that any invoice more than $1000 should have your name and address on it.
Don't act suspicious when you are coming back, or get nervous, because these are the types of people they check further. Else, I don't think they will check you.
divert attention. bring back a pack of chips or similar processed and packaged food (which you are allowed to), declare it as food (as you are supposed to) - they'll be more interested in food that any electronic goods.
Not really, many times I tick the "soil" in the form because I am wearing a shoe and have another pair in the luggage, just as precaution and there I go into the queue where they check further and open the luggage. The last few times, I just declare nothing to declare and they just wave me thru the custom, not checked at all.
Appreciate the responses.
All 3 invoices are over $1000 as I bought AppleCare
They have my name and address on them as I purchased on the Apple Store online.
Will this cause an issue if it has my details?
Also - someone had noted a $500 fine, where does it say this? (Was unable to locate)
Thank you
have a look under false declaration. I didn't think it was that much anyway.
If you get caught, don't speak english and plead ignorance about how your family packed your bag. Works for every asian on border security.
The rule isn't 'don't bring it back' - If you use TRS, the good becomes duty free (as the taxes are refunded to you), so it becomes part of the rules about bringing duty free into the country.
You must declare any general goods you are bringing into the country over $900 (normal items - special items like alcohol and cigarettes have different limits) - not just TRS stuff, anything you bought overseas as well. You can combine limits with your partner, but as your girlfriend is under 18, her duty free limit is only $450
http://www.border.gov.au/EnteringorleavingAustralia/Document…
The customs form says, are you bringing duty-free goods in worth more than $900. So if you tick no, you're making a false statement on a customs form, as well as evading duty. They'll make you pay the tax, plus perhaps a fine for evading duty and perhaps also for making a false statement. As you're young and it would be a first offence, they may just give you a warning - but would it be worth it to then be under increased scrutiny from then onwards?
Your TRS claim involves your passport number. So they will know about it. But will only take the time to ask a certain percentage of people who lodged a TRS claim over $900 if they brought the goods back in. So it will all be down to luck.
There is some talk on the Whirlpool forums that the customs guys allow ~20% depreciation on electronics, but I've never seen that referenced on an official document
They have a very long thread on TRS experiences, perhaps check it out.
If I was in your situation, I would combine duty free limits with your girlfriend and only claim TRS on 1 item under $1350. That would be legit. Also depends how much shopping you intend on doing in the US, and what you are buying (clothes don't count as a general good, they're a personal good).
The fines are in the Customs Act
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca1901124/…
A commonwealth penalty unit is at the moment $180. It would depend on exactly what they charged you with as to how much.
If you're on on AUS passport, you'll be automatically searched on return. You won't get refund on Apple care. If you don't declare and is found, you pay back what you're given and that can be multiplied up to 4 times as the fine.
I have never been searched, so I think that "you'll be automatically searched on return" is misleading. The last time I claimed on TRS it was for a Canon 70D and spare battery that I paid $1180 for at JB HiFi. Took it, claimed the $118, used it for 3 weeks, walked back in through the Declare line, declared some chocolate & booze, no search, just waved through.
I think that OP's girlfriend can carry one item, and just walk through. I think you would be very unlucky to be stopped upon return. You will only get refunded on price of goods, not AppleCare, which may bring it under $100, then after GST refund, it will be under $900 anyway.
Your $1180 claim after depreciation brings it down to allowable $900 concessions.
OP's claim will be pretty high.
His girlfriend is a minor so only gets a $450 concession.
If you have more than your combined duty free allowance ($1350) then declare it. You are talking about 10% GST fer Chrissake!!
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Ente/Tour/Are-you-a-traveller
Summary: within 60 days, >$300 on single TAX INVOICE, >$1000 requires name and address on tax invoice
you won't have an issue bringing them back in - they are not going to question a phone.