Aussie Customs

[johnswatch]

1. Yes

2. I've no idea what you could be referring to. ;)

3. Nope.

[toph]

Originally Posted by johnswatch

Well, I'm back from my trip overseas and no issues.

ok i am a litle confused - i undertsand how you can buy the watch at the airport and avoid the tax. But you are an Australian Citizen living in Australia and you can buy a watch in Sydney- then go on holiday a few days later and get the GST back at the airport? how does that work? or are you a resident of another country too? i thought duty free was for non-residents or residents at the airport in the act of leaving the country.

[2careless]

Originally Posted by toph

ok i am a litle confused - i undertsand how you can buy the watch at the airport and avoid the tax. But you are an Australian Citizen living in Australia and you can buy a watch in Sydney- then go on holiday a few days later and get the GST back at the airport? how does that work? or are you a resident of another country too? i thought duty free was for non-residents or residents at the airport in the act of leaving the country.

We have a "Tourist Refund Scheme", see http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4646
It explicitly stated that Australian residents and tourists can use this scheme. Also, read the paragraph about taking the goods back into Australia.
The reason of setting up this scheme was to provide a "level playing field" for retailers outside the big city duty free shops where one can purchase duty free items and courier the goods to the airport for same day pickup behind departure gates.

[toph]

Originally Posted by 2careless

We have a "Tourist Refund Scheme", see http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4646
It explicitly stated that Australian residents and tourists can use this scheme. Also, read the paragraph about taking the goods back into Australia.
The reason of setting up this scheme was to provide a "level playing field" for retailers outside the big city duty free shops where one can purchase duty free items and courier the goods to the airport for same day pickup behind departure gates.

Thanks Kai

so legally anything over $300 and under $900 qualifies for a GST rebate if you buy it and are leaving the country within 30 days. And it does not hav eto be disclosed to customs when re-entering Australia. Great Idea

[davestan]

In Australia if you buy a watch GST free on departure then on return from overseas if you declare you have to repay GST on the total purchase amount. The normal allowance of $900 per person is not counted(nor is "depreciation") on watch purchases.
I was told by the Customs officer that the tourist refund scheme is not really designed for the benefit of Australian citizens going on O/S holidays but for people who are tourists. Also that retailers give the wrong impression. So you repay the full GST amount!!
Doesn't really make sense - its no wonder there is a lot of confusion about this for Aussie citizens

[Jedi]

It's all just bureaucracy gone wrong.

So if an Aussie buys Duty Free goods, such as cameras and such at the airport on their way to vacation, they'll technically have to declare them on the way back in and pay VAT?

Nonsense IMO.

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

I think Rolexus makes a good point

X2. Australian Customs are not stupid either.............

[ROLEXUS]

At the end of the day, the bottom line is that it all comes down to the honesty of the individual. Customs are way too busy to question or search every person regarding what they've purchased overseas or tax-free in Australia (hence the reason you fill out AND SIGN a form). They definitely have records and a linked computer system showing what items you claimed tax back on when you left the country and could very easily ask you if you're bringing the items back in but 99% of the time they don't as they already have a signed document from you saying you're not. If you do 'lie' on the form and get caught there's very little defence.

[dolson]

I will start off by apologizing if this isn't the right location for this post. I tried to search for similar topics, but couldn't find anything for my specific question and then I saw this. Was wondering if we can import rolex anything now that there is a pandemic going on?

[jimcarver]

Originally Posted by dolson

I will start off by apologizing if this isn't the right location for this post. I tried to search for similar topics, but couldn't find anything for my specific question and then I saw this. Was wondering if we can import rolex anything now that there is a pandemic going on?

I'd suggest starting a new thread rather than replying to one that's 12 years old.

Also, not even sure what your question is.

[AG23]

Originally Posted by dolson

I will start off by apologizing if this isn't the right location for this post. I tried to search for similar topics, but couldn't find anything for my specific question and then I saw this. Was wondering if we can import rolex anything now that there is a pandemic going on?

You can purchase from overseas. At the moment, most things are taking longer to get to Australia than they used to and they seem to take longer to clear customs as well, although that was always a pretty slow process. All goods imported are subject to 10% GST, but I’m not sure who collects it.

Purchases below $1000 used to be GST exempt, but they changed that a few years ago to include all overseas purchases but it doesn’t seem to get charged every time in my experience. I’m pretty sure they will charge the GST on a Rolex.

Where are you thinking of purchasing from? Could get expensive as our dollar is relatively weak at the moment.