TRS - some new(ish) info

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

This may be old news to some, but it came as a surprise to me

* Can now purchase the goods up to 60 days before departure - used to be just 30 days

* There's now an APP you can use to prepare all the info and then use at the TRS counter. Will give it a go next month

 

[medhead]

You can also present multiple invoices less than $300, provided the total of the invoices at a single merchant exceeds $300.

 

[Alanslegal]

* There's now an APP you can use to prepare all the info and then use at the TRS counter. Will give it a go next month

I used the TRS app last November at SYD. There is a priority line for App users however there was sooo many people at lining up - meandering through duty free as well - that it also caused a bottle-neck at the entrance of the TRS area. The process is very fast once you get there though as they do scan the completed code.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

+1
I used the App through MEL in April.
Although I was there before the App priority line opened :-( , once at the checkout it was very quick & painless using the screen code scan.

 

[Pushka]

Just realised I am down to 54 days.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

One thing to keep in mind: the items that you get the TRS refund on are included in your A$900 Passenger Concession limit on your way back in to OZ.
All the fun facts at Tourist Refund Scheme

 

[Pushka]

One thing to keep in mind: the items that you get the TRS refund on are included in your A$900 Passenger Concession limit on your way back in to OZ.
All the fun facts at Tourist Refund Scheme

Definitely. But we don't tend to buy much overseas unless clothes. Which aren't an issue. I am thinking MrP will need a new PC and will take that so that will work. Bought a camera recently but imported that through Amazon so already covered that.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

I took a morning flight ex-SYD a few weeks ago and certainly having the app and completed QR code would have saved me 30 mins from lining up in the regular queue as the 'app' queue was empty except for one guy who was processed right away. It was 7am so there were only two custom officers processing which didn't help proceedings. I will definitely be using this from now on.

Also had a dope of an officer lecturing me over my refund - my Apple Watch was $1200 and he was advising I was over my limit - I advised I am returning with my partner so our combined limit will be AU$1800 - he then proceeded to go on about how the TRS is the biggest tax rort in Australia, etc etc. Not my problem mate just following what the TRS website advises on combining limits.

 

[shifty]

...and the products value depreciation on return!

 

[Daver6]

...and the products value depreciation on return!

Was thinking just this. Especially with things like expensive clothing.

 

[medhead]

...and the products value depreciation on return!

I see this depreciation thing mentioned from time to time. Trouble is it is not officially listed on the TRS website. So we have no idea of the applicable depreciation rate that will be used. This makes it difficult to self assess. The one time I've declared an item there was zero allowance for depreciation.

In any case for a short term trip it is likely to be insignificant. Much more important is to make sure that people don't include the refunded gst in the value when declaring. That will give a much larger reduction. Eg a $990 item gets a $90 reduction for refunded gst. What is the value of a couple of weeks for $900 on an item with a 3 or 4 year life? A couple of percent? $9 or $18.

Was thinking just this. Especially with things like expensive clothing.

Clothing does not count at all towards the import limit. Expensive or otherwise.

 

[yld200]

Last year when I went on my honeymoon with my wife I decided to get a refund on her wedding band which was approx. $1200 by memory. I lined up and went through the claim on my own and said it was a gift, the officer asked me a few questions about it and I thought he would reject it but processed it and said make sure you claim it if you are going to bring it back into the country. He even rejected a claim from a pax before me based on believing that the invoice produced was a fake. Being a bit nervous on the way back thinking he might have flagged me in the system I decided to tick the box on the customs card so when we arrived at the airport the customs officer asked what we were claiming, showed him the ring said it was a bit over $1000 and he said don't worry about it and welcome back home.

I guess it depends on who you get, another time there were some guys at the TRS desk claiming a whole bunch of stuff, they showed him a receipt for clothing, he asked to see it and they said oh were wearing some it and he just said yeah that looks right.

 

[straitman]

Has anyone, other than us, ever had a refund that has not processed?

Time I followed up.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Has anyone, other than us, ever had a refund that has not processed?

Time I followed up.

Not me - I have claimed 5 from 5 and the refund has always come through about a week later. I always keep the paperwork just in case.

 

[featheast]

I took a morning flight ex-SYD a few weeks ago and certainly having the app and completed QR code would have saved me 30 mins from lining up in the regular queue as the 'app' queue was empty except for one guy who was processed right away. It was 7am so there were only two custom officers processing which didn't help proceedings. I will definitely be using this from now on.

Also had a dope of an officer lecturing me over my refund - my Apple Watch was $1200 and he was advising I was over my limit - I advised I am returning with my partner so our combined limit will be AU$1800 - he then proceeded to go on about how the TRS is the biggest tax rort in Australia, etc etc. Not my problem mate just following what the TRS website advises on combining limits.

Did you bring the original package or just show the officer your wrist? I am going to claim the watch too next week, not sure what the right process here for a used item.

 

[medhead]

Did you bring the original package or just show the officer your wrist? I am going to claim the watch too next week, not sure what the right process here for a used item.

You don't need the packaging, just the items.

 

[ellen10]

Thinking of buying a new iPad before our trip to USA in September.
So we can buy it 60 days before and use it beforehand and just produce the receipt for a tax refund.

We have only ever claimed at overseas ports.

Although was wondering whether the iPad would be cheaper to purchase in the US.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Thinking of buying a new iPad before our trip to USA in September.
So we can buy it 60 days before and use it beforehand and just produce the receipt for a tax refund.

Yes, but you'll need to take the iPad with you as well.
Refer to this link for the details Tourist Refund Scheme

 

[featheast]

You don't need the packaging, just the items.

But then how can the officer tell the item is the one in the invoice? I thought they gonna check some number on the packaging to match your invoice.

 

[medhead]

But then how can the officer tell the item is the one in the invoice? I thought they gonna check some number on the packaging to match your invoice.

The invoice lists the details of the item, which match the item you present. That's how they match it. Regardless, you do not require the packaging. All the details are on the trs website, linked in another post.

Edit: as an example, when I presented my Mac mini for a refund. The trs agent looked at the invoice Mac mini computer and asked why there was no screen. Had to explain they don't come with a screen.