Hi there,
I am going overseas on the weekend and would like to purchase a handbag. It costs $1600. I am going overseas with my mother for her birthday. Can I claim the TRS of $160 on the handbag because I am gifting it to my mother. It is her actual birthday when we are away and it will be returning to Australia just not with me but her. Is this allowed and is it grounds for claiming?
TIA
ps. we both live here and hold Australian passports.
Bringing goods back into Australia for which you have already received a TRS refund
If you are aged 18 years or over, you can bring up to AUD 900 worth of goods into Australia duty-free, or AUD 450 if you are younger than 18. Families travelling together can pool this allowance (a couple with one child can bring in a total of AUD 900 + AUD 900 + AUD 450 = AUD 2250 worth of goods into Australia without paying duty or GST). This is called your passenger concession.
Not sure if mum and adult child (assuming OP is over 18) can pool, but if they can, then they just scrape under.
Thank you John, I have read conflicting things. So by me claiming the tax refund and giving it to my mum I just want to know if this is legal? I don't want to get into trouble.
Just declare it when you come back, worse thing that can happen is you have to pay the GST back?
If you declare it then you WILL have to pay the tax on it, so its counterproductive - why spend the effort to claim TRS if you are just going to declare it on the way back in
Claim the GST on the way out. Declare on the way in and see if they will allow you and your mum to pool your allowances.
If they don't allow you to you will have to pay back the GST.
I've got my allowances pooled with family so you should be ok. I know that for sure because I was told explicitly that by the customs before putting me on Green Lane.
But if the OP and her mum would not be travelling together, they would not be able to pool allowances. Meaning, the allowance would only be $900.
EDIT: Ignore this I read it wrong
It's got nothing to do with whether you gift it to her, except that she "acquired" it overseas and is liable for any duty. You claim the TRS in the way out and on the way in you can pool your concessions so she doesn't have to pay duty.
My oh bought me a ring for my birthday and I got the trs rebate leaving Australia.The lady at the counter said that more than likely I will have to return the money coming back.On return I declared it .The custom officer was more interested in the shells that my daughter had brought back from Bali which she was allowed to keep and I was allowed to keep my $365.Just declare it and you wont be breaking the law.
they don't put a red alarm bell on your name - when you come back to oz they arent going to pull you aside and check you don't have that bag. If they did this to everyone, they would need triple the resources in customs. Don't worry - you are gifting that bag to your friend overseas. You may even buy urself one overseas you love it that much :) winky winky
Don't stress. You can pool your allowance when you leave, so it wont raise any flags. So 2x $900 is under the amount you are claiming. Assuming you both come back into the country at the same time, and you haven't brought in any other items that add to your allowance, you will still be under and you don't have to declare.
They won't check it on the way back either. Many things are exempt from the duty free allowance (such as clothes), but leather goods are not.
BTW, you won't get back $160. You will get back $1600 / 11 = $145.45
this guy beat me to it. You get $145.45, not $160. You get $160 back if the item cost $1760.
Many things are exempt from the duty free allowance (such as clothes)
Where can I find more information about this? I am planning to buy a nice dress and claim TRS for it next month
Google is your friend
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Ente/Duty-Free-concessions
What items can be brought in free of duty and tax?
Most personal items such as new clothing, footwear, and articles for personal hygiene and grooming (excluding fur and perfume concentrates) may be brought into Australia in your accompanied baggage, free from duty and tax.
Yes I have done a little research since my last comment and I have studied that page, however I am still a little confused.
Because on the same page, there is a section that is TRS specific, it is not clear whether the duty free exemption also applies to goods subject to TRS.
Have you declared clothes that you have claimed TRS upon your return before?
Ok let me get this right:)….. I claim the TRS at Sydney airport and on return my mum declares the handbag even though it was gifted to her?
Yes, she "acquired" it overseas.
don't even declare it on the way back.
Look.
Technically if you bring anything >$900 into Australia you'll have to pay import tax.
But then as long as you bring the handbag + the receipt with your name and address on it with you, you should be able to claim TRS. And don't tell the TRS officer that you are bringing it back.
Upon returning to Australia, just give it to your mum to carry it through custom.