Bringing Back Nintendo Switch into Australia after Claiming TRS

LKnocks1 on 03/01/2020 - 14:12
Last edited 03/01/2020 - 14:18

So I recently purchased a Nintendo Switch along with 2 Games from Amazon. I'm going back home for a month on the 20th of Jan and I purchased the items around 27th December. The total amount that I paid was $476.66 (switch and 2 games) and I have a couple of questions regarding claiming TRS that I need help on:

  1. Given the fact that the threshold limit is $900, would I have to pay the GST back when I bring the good back to Australia?
  2. I purchased all the items from Amazon but they have separate invoices. They were purchased at a gap of 1-2 days from each other. So would that be an issue? Also,I got a $10 off on the games and it shows on the invoice along with the the GST paid, so would that be an issue as well?
  3. I also purchased an sd card but it doesn't have GST on the invoice, so could I also claim that? It costed 40.95
  4. Is it better to apply for the claim online or at the airport?
  5. Would I have to carry the box for the switch and the games case with me at the airport for further proof or would the goods itself be just fine?

Sorry for the noob questions. I was utterly confused by the TRS web page and needed clarity.
Hope to hear from you guys soon.
Cheers!

Travel

Comments

  • Summoner on 03/01/2020 - 14:41
    +2

    You can find answers to your question on ABF website. https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/touris…
    1. If the total value of the goods you are bringing into Australia that you purchased overseas or for which you have claimed a refund under TRS is less than $900, you do not have to pay the GST back.
    2.3. "your purchases are from a single business with the same Australian business number (ABN) and total AUD 300 (GST inclusive) or more. For example, if you bought items from one business, even on separate invoices, that together total AUD 300, these items could be eligible for a tax refund under the TRS." Its important that the sellers ABN on the invoices are the same.
    4. Its up to you. Online claim was easier as i only had to bring the printout of the claim when i did mine.
    5. "You can remove your goods from the packaging and use the goods before you leave. You do not need to bring the packaging to make your TRS claim, but we must be able to match the goods to the corresponding tax invoice."

    • Knocks1 on 03/01/2020 - 16:15

      Thank You so much for the confirmation!

    • Ahsun on 08/01/2020 - 21:03

      Summoner i clicked on your link it isn't working just wondering if they ask are you bringing it back does that mean i will have to pay the gst on the way back or do you just lie and say your not bringing it back and hope they don't search you?

      • Summoner on 08/01/2020 - 23:40

        Well I do not know why ABF has removed the information from their website, the link seems to be no longer working.

        However, you can still find the answer to your question in the "information" section of the TRS app. Please note I only checked the android version.

        Under "informarion" search for "I claimed a TRS refund for some goods that I now want to bring back into Australia. What do I need to know?".

      • Summoner on 08/01/2020 - 23:50

        Full text on the app is shown below:
        If you are aged 18 years or over, you can bring in up to A$900 worth of general goods into Australia duty free, or A$450 if you are younger than 18. Families travelling together can pool this allowance (so a couple with a child can bring in a total of A$900 + $900 + A$450 = A$2250 worth of general goods into Australia without paying duty or tax ). This is called your Passenger Concession. General goods include gifts, souvenirs, cameras, electronic equipment, leather goods, perfume concentrates, jewellery, watches and sporting equipment. If the total value of the goods you are bringing in is greater than your Passenger Concession, including goods for which you have previously claimed a tax refund under the TRS:
        • You must declare all of these goods;
        • For goods where you claimed a tax refund under the TRS, you will need to pay that refund back;
        • Duty and tax will apply to all items of this type, not just goods over the limit of your Passenger Concession. Penalties may apply if you don't declare that you have goods in excess of your concession.

  • Niko123456 on 03/01/2020 - 15:16

    Download the app and get a QR code ahead of arriving at the airport.

    • Knocks1 on 03/01/2020 - 16:17

      Will do that! Thanks.

  • pinchies on 03/01/2020 - 15:38
    +1

    Just want to say well done on a clear and straight forward first post. Great job.

    • Knocks1 on 03/01/2020 - 16:14

      Thank You!

  • Porker on 03/01/2020 - 16:58

    Although APP/QR code is normally the quicker option, my most recent flight in November 2019 had both the QR and non-QR queues merged into one mega line. It wasn't by accident either, there was only one queue (for both) and I've claimed TRS some 5 or 6 times in the past.

    It was close to an hour wait time for me, so give yourself a bit of time, plus there is a minimum amount of time qualification for claims. Eg. something like no claims can be made 30mins before flight. Check the above-post website.

    Otherwise my Switch was the best thing I've ever claimed at TRS!

    • Knocks1 on 03/01/2020 - 21:47

      That's what I feared. Thank you for letting me know of that. I'll reach atleast an hour before I was supposed to go and try to get it done as soon as possible.

      How much time did it take for the claim amount to be credited to your account?

      • Porker on 06/01/2020 - 15:58

        They refund transaction occurs at the time you qualify for TRS. My experience has been that the funds clear after the normal clearing time for my credit card, which is typically a week.

  • Eeples on 09/01/2020 - 07:25

    I don’t bother when there is a long line in Sydney.

    I value a beer and breakfast more.

    • Knocks1 on 09/01/2020 - 10:49

      Lol

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