Can TRS Officers Flag Someone to Be Checked on Arrival

Ltubzz on 25/11/2023 - 13:01
Last edited 25/11/2023 - 13:16 by 1 other user

I bought an iPhone 15 pro and wanted to claim tax return, but was stupid and was using the phone during the refund process, the TRS officer was very intimidating and kept asking me if I was going to bring it back. I said no and he said if I was to bring it back the item will be seized and I will have pay a fine.

Now I’m really scared and wondering if people can actually be flagged to check. It was only a $170 refund so not really worth it but have heard people doing this all the time with no issue.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Travel Tourist Refund Scheme

Comments

  • rb123 on 25/11/2023 - 13:12
    +57

    Yes, I have been flagged and checked on arrival before.

    • CyberMurning on 25/11/2023 - 15:00
      +3

      what was the GST value of your item? in which stage they flagged and checked you? the last exit door where you declare/not after picking up lugggages?

      • rb123 on 25/11/2023 - 21:13
        +21

        Think they flagged my passport as I got pulled aside for questioning at the passport check. Luckily it was just under $900. They couldn’t get me for that so I got a full drug search, phone check, usual questions you see on Border Security (what did you do on your holiday, who paid for your trip etc)…they were doing their best to find something else they could pin on me. I was also flagged for my next few trips even though I wasn’t claiming anything.

        To make their job easier these days I travel “alone” and carry a dumb decoy phone which I happily offer up for a search. Not that I have anything incriminating on my phone, but I prefer not to have someone going through my messages or photos.

          • rb123 on 25/11/2023 - 21:54
            +10

            @CyberMurning: No of course I don’t try to hide it on me…they search through everything anyway. But I can’t hand over a phone I don’t have on me. And it’s not a crime if I happen to be running out of space on my phone just before my trip and I decide to move some things to iCloud instead.

          • skittlebrau on 26/11/2023 - 17:25
            +4

            @CyberMurning: Easy way around that is to do a cloud backup of your phone, wipe/reset the phone, and then restore the phone at your destination.

            • Name on 27/11/2023 - 10:46
              +13

              @skittlebrau: Not to sound paranoid.. But I travel a few times a year and every time I go I do a factory reset on my phone before leaving and returning. It's got all my personal details and passwords and banking etc on it. Knowing they can legally force me to unlock it, I wipe everything.

              I've never been flagged or interrogated before. But I just do it as a precaution.

              • Yimmy on 27/11/2023 - 16:11

                @Name: My understanding was they are not legally able to get you to unlock ? Ask persistently, yes - but not legally?

                • Name on 27/11/2023 - 18:27

                  @Yimmy: So unsure hey. I googled after you mentioned it and I found two articles. Both by the Guardian. Both contradicting each other. Ha! One says they can force you to hand over passcode, other says they can't, but if you refuse your phone could be comfiscated and refer you to other authorities who can get a warrant. Sounds like a big pain in the bum if you happen to get a angry agent.

                  Under the Customs Act, ABF officers can force people to hand over their passcodes to allow a phone search

                  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/18/returning-trav…

                  There is no legal compulsion for a traveller to provide a password/passcode or provide assistance to an electronic device at the border,” border force said.

                  https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/08/austr…

                  • CowFrogHorse on 28/11/2023 - 17:20
                    -2

                    @Name: Do you also ask newspapers for medical procedures ?

                    Seriously what makes you think a journo is an expert on Australian law ?

                    • Daabido on 28/11/2023 - 19:10

                      @CowFrogHorse: I used to via letters to the editor. Everyone else writing in seemed to be deranged too.

                    • Crow K on 12/12/2023 - 11:11

                      @CowFrogHorse: Can you provide evidence that what has been reported in the paper is wrong?

                      Seriously what makes you think you are an expert on Australian law?

          • burningrage on 27/11/2023 - 09:26

            @CyberMurning: I would do exactly the same. If someone decides to become a first-class arsehole (and I am not saying they are, see below) then I would oblige to make their life as difficult as possible.

            If they have "reasonable reason" to flag you, then the officer can have the guts to say so because of xyz and don't make it obscure. Man up!

            Having said that, my last travel the Border Force Officer and the TRS lady were fantastic and kind.

            • lilyesp on 29/11/2023 - 23:26

              @burningrage: yeah but the trs officer gets paid to be an ars*e hole…you're just wasting your time …think about that

        • frewer on 26/11/2023 - 14:28

          You have to unlock the phone for them ?

        • furakoph on 26/11/2023 - 14:30
          -2

          Are you a POC or white?

        • idonotknowwhy on 26/11/2023 - 17:51
          +1

          Not that I have anything incriminating on my phone, but I prefer not to have someone going through my messages or photos.

          I haven't traveled for many years but am planning to soon. What's this about going through my phone and messages? Is this a thing Australia does?
          Note: I'm not planning to buy anything or use that TRS thing, etc.

          • rb123 on 26/11/2023 - 18:32

            @idonotknowwhy: Yeah they have the right to go through your phone if they want. To be fair, they usually don’t pull you up just to search your phone, only if they suspect you of hiding something else and want extra evidence.

            • idonotknowwhy on 26/11/2023 - 18:57

              @rb123: damn, I always used to get stopped for the random pat-downs, so they'll probably be checking my phone.

          • trapper on 27/11/2023 - 13:22
            +2

            @idonotknowwhy: After you unlock it they can even go off and clone the whole thing too.

          • CowFrogHorse on 28/11/2023 - 17:32

            @idonotknowwhy: have you toild that too G or FB ?

        • kiitos on 26/11/2023 - 20:12

          Didn't know about having them going through my phone. Would you have to provide access to your password manager too?

          • rb123 on 26/11/2023 - 20:44
            +1

            @kiitos: Yep. They can even copy your data on the phone as well. Best to delete anything so they can’t ask. And install alternative apps. Logout from main gmail account, login secondary account used for ozbargain comps. Delete WhatsApp, install telegram.
            Delete call records from phone contacts, leave list of spam numbers in etc.

            • HangryCakeStore on 27/11/2023 - 11:48

              @rb123: Some reason I’m reading your comment like it’s sarcasm

              • trapper on 27/11/2023 - 13:23
                +3

                @HangryCakeStore: No, it's actually the reality. They can and will clone everything off your phone if they decide they want to.

              • idonotknowwhy on 27/11/2023 - 17:58

                @HangryCakeStore: I'm actually reading it seriously and planning what I'm going to do. Probably just going to bring my spare phone, which still works, and not setup those accounts on it.

                • rb123 on 27/11/2023 - 20:50

                  @idonotknowwhy: Setup some fake accounts to give them something to look at and make it more believable. If it’s completely clean they might flag your passport to recheck for future trips. I’ve had them question me on some trips even on the way out without me doing anything. Fill your email with spam, take a bunch of random photos, maybe even get a new number to sign up for spam calls so your call/message logs is full. If you have any other ideas please let me know!

                  • nigel deborah on 28/11/2023 - 07:25
                    +5

                    @rb123: Why would you go to all this effort unless you're an actual criminal?

                    If you're paranoid, just encrypt the phone and refuse to hand over the passkey. Then laugh at them when they try to get a warrant with 0 evidence (again, unless you are actually a criminal).

                    The odds of you being checked at all are catestrophically low anyway

                    • rb123 on 28/11/2023 - 09:30
                      +3

                      @nigel deborah: I’m not a criminal but that doesn’t mean I like someone going through my emails/messages.

                      The odds may be low, but I’ve been checked more than once. It’s just like travel insurance, hopefully I don’t need it but I’ll be glad that I have it when I do.

                      If I refuse to cooperate that’s just gonna make them more determined to find something and make things more difficult for me.

                    • trapper on 28/11/2023 - 11:46
                      +2

                      @nigel deborah:

                      just encrypt the phone and refuse to hand over the passkey.

                      Unfortunately they will seize the device, at minimum, if you do this.

                      • nigel deborah on 28/11/2023 - 12:14
                        +2

                        @trapper: I'd rather have to buy a new device while I wait to get my old one back, than have to setup a whole fake life on my fake phone in the off-chance customs wants to look through it.

                        Not to mention if they discover your bullshit you'd be in the worst possible position, now you are lying to a customs officer, which is a lot worse than refusing to hand over personal information.

                        • trapper on 28/11/2023 - 13:06
                          +1

                          @nigel deborah: If I was concerned I'd just take through a burner phone with minimal stuff on it.

                          You can unlock that for them with no concerns and no need to tell any lies.

                      • Hangryuman on 28/11/2023 - 13:28

                        @trapper: as I understand the real threat of refusing access to your device is that customs could deem you inadmissible and refuse you entry to Australia and return you to your country of embarkation with the cost of the airfare chargeable to you - so a whole lot of pain for your human right to say no …

                        on second thoughts they might not refuse a returning Oz citizen (prob grab the phone instead) but I expect they could refuse entry to an arriving non-Australian passport holder …

                    • Randolph Duke on 28/11/2023 - 13:28
                      -1

                      @nigel deborah: +1, reads like paranoia (or guilt)

            • Munki on 27/11/2023 - 14:14
              +6

              @rb123: Wipe everything and fill the camera roll with dick pics.

              • ripesashimi on 27/11/2023 - 14:25

                @Munki: My phone is actually filled with naked pictures of me, my wife and my kids.

                Its crazy that authority can just look at them. Had it been anybody else, they would have been in court explaining why they look at someone else's kid's naked photos.

                • Munki on 27/11/2023 - 15:13
                  +1

                  @ripesashimi: ryanreynoldsinscrubsaskingbutwhy.mkv

                • trapper on 28/11/2023 - 11:47
                  +1

                  @ripesashimi:

                  Its crazy that authority can just look at them.

                  and take a copy!

        • Roe Jogan on 28/11/2023 - 17:41

          what do you mean phone check??? like they look inside your photos and shit?

          • rb123 on 29/11/2023 - 08:35

            @Roe Jogan: Yeah, you unlock your phone, hand over any passwords they ask for and they take your phone away to another room.

            • Roe Jogan on 29/11/2023 - 08:45
              +3

              @rb123: bro wtf, what kind of democracy freedom is that shit, suddenly we turned into north korea?

              • CowFrogHorse on 13/12/2023 - 17:56
                -1

                @Roe Jogan: bro what is wrong with you ?

                Does it really matter if the police look at your phone ?

                Thisisnt america, the police do a good job thats why australia is the greatest place on earth, and yet you want to copy american opinions the same opionions that have made america violent overworked shithole.

                • Roe Jogan on 13/12/2023 - 19:50
                  +1

                  @CowFrogHorse: yeh Cow it does matter, dont lecture me on freedom, the same way you cant enter and search a house without a warrant, this is the same, what the hell you mean this isnt america who said it was? America isn't the only democracy you know, what if i got nudes of my self or significant other on there..

                  • CowFrogHorse on 15/12/2023 - 14:24
                    -1

                    @Roe Jogan: big words…

                    you worry about police looking at your phone for 30 seconds, who cares, i have nothing to hide, the police arent going to come after me because i m not a five star ares wipe.

                    paranoid crap thinking everyone is out to get them, yes very healthy.

                    Your nick is joe rogan pretty obvious you lap that crap up.

                    • Roe Jogan on 15/12/2023 - 15:14

                      @CowFrogHorse: why do you sound butt hurt cow? what's the problem you haven't gotten laid recently? you start calling people names who disagree with you on a public form? what a six star arse wipe "paranoid crap". great insults btw very creative i know you thought about it very long before these words were uttered.

            • ddilrat on 29/11/2023 - 12:46

              @rb123: And if you refuse?

              • rb123 on 29/11/2023 - 15:25

                @ddilrat: Ask your lawyer

                • CowFrogHorse on 13/12/2023 - 17:55
                  -1

                  @rb123: @rb123

                  err we live in australia not america… learn to speak australian

                  secondly stop advise from americans, they have some really dumb ideas…

                  • guns
                  • healthcare
                  • unions
                  • human rights
  • PissLUR on 25/11/2023 - 13:13
    +18

    Yes. Just tick the over the threshold and pay the tax back. Not worth the hassle.

    • DealHunter2 on 26/11/2023 - 16:05
      +1

      You will get flagged and searched. They do it every time with jewellery if you have Australian passport. Just declare it as a second hand used phone when you come back and add your family members the new lower phone value and people combined will likely bring it under the allowable threshold.

  • CyberMurning on 25/11/2023 - 13:14
    +7

    Huh.. I was playing too and it was fine.
    Of course they can flag you… They are custom,same level as federal agencies….. They can find your brother's name and address if they want

    • tubzz on 25/11/2023 - 13:21
      -1

      Haha lucky, he asked me if give this phone as a gift what am I going to use after? He was very suspicious just for 170$.. not worth the scare.. :(

      • Dumax on 25/11/2023 - 13:26
        -1

        I've done this before many times and never once been checked. Also, every time I had an invoice it never had anything identifiying on it (i.e. serial or IMEI) so there is always the plausable deniability anyways.

        Worst case senario you would have to pay the tax back - the only scenario where they would seize the phone would be if you refuse to pay the GST.

        • tubzz on 25/11/2023 - 13:42

          Thanks! I’ll check if there is any identifying numbers on my receipt I provided. I’m just worried this time cause the guy kept asking me the same questions and I don’t want him to pull me up on lying.

          • abb on 27/11/2023 - 11:25
            +6

            @tubzz:

            I don’t want him to pull me up on lying

            There is a 100% guaranteed way to not be caught lying…

        • redfox1200 on 25/11/2023 - 13:43

          worst case scenario you would have to pay 80% of the tax back

        • CyberMurning on 25/11/2023 - 15:13

          @Dumax months ago i saw one guy at the counter had a very long discussion with the officer as the invoice doesnt have the imei to match with the phone on his hand. officer say then this invoice could be for any other same model phone out there, am i right? the traveller almost cried being interrogated in front of 50 people

          • Dumax on 25/11/2023 - 15:24

            @CyberMurning: That's a shame. My discussions with the staff was that they only need to be satisfied that it is the product in question (obviously this might depend on the particular staff member that you get). I just showed them that the Amazon invoice model number matched the phone and that was enough.

            However, I'm not sure how they can justify such a position since they continue to accept forms in the drop box (i.e. without sighting the product).

        • jackspratt on 26/11/2023 - 13:39
          +1

          Not correct.

          Goods that you fail to declare are subject to seizure + penalties.

        • ldt on 27/11/2023 - 20:51
          +1

          Why reply with false information like this!?
          Worst case scenario is the item will be confiscated and you’ll be fined.

      • CyberMurning on 25/11/2023 - 14:59
        +1

        next time say the person who will receive this will give me his/her phone - so basically a swap.

  • rb123 on 25/11/2023 - 13:19
    +7

    If you’re travelling with someone else, you can get them to carry it in. Just don’t pass through customs together so you don’t both get pulled aside at the same time.

    • Davo1111 on 25/11/2023 - 15:10
      +7

      "are you travelling with others?" "yeah my brother is in the queue over there"

      • amrdeus on 28/11/2023 - 11:03

        Or just have them go in first…

  • Tee Rex Arms on 25/11/2023 - 13:28
    -4

    You will be checked 💯

    • burningrage on 27/11/2023 - 09:29

      Didn't happen to me last time. Sorry this is incorrect.

      They did ask the question but I didn't get the pat.

  • CptnObvious on 25/11/2023 - 13:42
    +13

    Just watch border security. They usually flag asians who bring out high end jewellery and luxury watches.

    • CyberMurning on 25/11/2023 - 14:56
      -8

      yeah its Obvious that OP is asian, Capt :D

      • Davo1111 on 25/11/2023 - 15:07

        not sure how to interpret your comment, but i have seen several episodes where they've caught people trying to re-import.

    • Juice-Wa on 29/11/2023 - 13:35
      +1

      Committing GST refund fraud is a part of the Vietnamese culture. Can hardly call it stereotyping.

  • localhost on 25/11/2023 - 13:56

    Next time when you arrive - play in front of him as well.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/11/2023 - 14:07
    -5

    Mfs be taking tens of thousands in dollars in high end goods like Chanel bags and get back without getting flagged. I think you should be fine.

  • CyberMurning on 25/11/2023 - 14:58
    -2

    imagine if they search every single person and check… arrival time say 1pm and we all be home like 9pm….

    • CowFrogHorse on 13/12/2023 - 17:57

      good

      close down the airports as well.

      we dont need them.

      • Crow K on 15/12/2023 - 13:17

        People with social networks and lifestyles do.

        But yeah, basement dwellers and emotionally stunted shut-ins generally don't need a passport.

        • CowFrogHorse on 15/12/2023 - 13:27

          crow: People with social networks and lifestyles do.

          cow:

          Which makes living FAR FAR away from them a DUMB DUMB choice.

          Whats smarter seeing them dozens of times because they live close by or seeing them once a year because well they are far far away.

          Did you even think this thru or is that too hard ?

          crow: But yeah, basement dwellers and emotionally stunted shut-ins generally don't need a passport.

          cow: Says the person who has admitted multiple times to playing pokemon and magic.

          Your statement has no proof, i have your own words admitting the above.

          • Crow K on 15/12/2023 - 13:46

            @CowFrogHorse: I remember telling you there was strategy to the games Pokemon and Magic. If (due to a comprehension fail) you thought

            1. that was me saying that I played them extensively and
            2. that would make me unsociable

            Then you've made some really dumb assumptions.

            How about you quote me where I said I played them, or are you just a liar with the attention span of a child making things up

            How about you stop making stuff up

            Can't you understand simple sentences

            Why do you like about things you don't even get

            (And so on and so forth. This is what other people face every time they speak to you and you trot out these tired accusations)

          • Crow K on 15/12/2023 - 13:59

            @CowFrogHorse: Travel broadens the mind.

            I can see why you take a natural distaste to the idea.

            • CowFrogHorse on 15/12/2023 - 14:21

              @Crow K: crow: I can see why you take a natural distaste to the idea.

              cow: and yet ALL your replies are insults… barely 1 in 20 actually has a thought.

              crow: Travel broadens the mind.

              cow: big words considering you waste 5 d a week in traffic. and prolly never ride a bike or do anything else

              • Crow K on 15/12/2023 - 14:24

                @CowFrogHorse: I don't know which is stupider,

                1. Assuming traffic means you aren't travelling or
                2. Even if you thought that, that would somehow mean you didn't want to travel on the non-work days

                Maybe they're just equally misguided?

                • CowFrogHorse on 15/12/2023 - 14:25

                  @Crow K: So answer the q….

                  • Crow K on 15/12/2023 - 14:27

                    @CowFrogHorse: How about you quote me where I said I played Pokemon/Magic, or are you just a liar with the attention span of a child making things up

                  • CowFrogHorse on 15/12/2023 - 14:27

                    @CowFrogHorse: Problem is you dont know how to count.

                    You cant grasp what it means to go out…

                    You visit your friends once a year because they are far fara way… really smart. i visit them any day i want….now tell me who is the dumb one ?

                    • Crow K on 15/12/2023 - 14:31

                      @CowFrogHorse: You, for making such an obvious lie up like you having friends

                      • CowFrogHorse on 15/12/2023 - 14:49

                        @Crow K: Prove it.

                      • CowFrogHorse on 15/12/2023 - 14:49

                        @Crow K: Like i guessed you are a fool who visits your friends once or twice a year…You didnt counter that guess, so it must be true.

                        • Crow K on 15/12/2023 - 14:54

                          @CowFrogHorse: Only an imbecile would say things like "I guessed correctly you visit your friends once or twice a year" and then at the same time "prove it" when other people make guesses about their own friend status.

                          You're a special boy who gets to make all the assumptions you want, but everyone else needs to prove their work, hey?

                          Why are you saying things an imbecile would say, CowFrogHorse?

                          • jackspratt on 15/12/2023 - 21:19

                            @Crow K: Time for you two to get a room together - preferably without internet access.

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