Australian Members - Question Regarding Claiming GST Back

[djmm]

Hello, was wondering whether anyone has had any experience in claiming back GST for significant Hermes purchases (eg. Birkin/Kelly)?
Were you able to claim the GST and did they ask you many questions when doing so?
Cheers.

 

[ahjy]

I've been reading up on this too and as far as i know, there is no limit on how much you can claim on GST, however, i have been told that on expensive items, they'll ask you if you're bringing it back into the country... if you bring it back into the country, items over a certain amount are liable for tax (which pretty much means you have to pay pack the GST)... i guess if they ask you if you're bringing it back, you say no? and just make sure the tax invoice has your name & address on it if it's over $1000...

 

[blingbaby]

Hi... I purchased my birkin in Paris FSH and then traveled to the UK by train. I claimed the tax when I left Heathrow airport... I sent the box back by post prior to leaving and carried my new bag with me as you have to show it when claiming the tax (it was credited to my credit card about 5 weeks later) As I was using my new bag I didn't declare the cost when entering Australia, which was easy to do as i didn't have the box and receipt with me.

Be aware that when claiming the tax they do take your receipt, best to get a photocopy of it prior to presenting it. AND....so much cheaper than in Aus.

 

[djmm]

I've "smuggled" back in a quite significant watch that I claimed for GST before. But that's easy because watch is small. I hope they are not as keen to look for this kind of stuff.
If I got the bag from Australia, that means there won't be any box, so maybe it's a little bit easier?

 

[makeup121]

To djmm, As long as you have the bag with you and the receipt with your name that is same as your passport. The TRF officer will check your bag and then ask for your credit card. The whole process will take about 5 minutes. Make sure you have plenty of time. They will not process within 30 mins to your boarding. Good luck!

 

[djmm]

Thanks, bag isn't here yet. I was just thinking forward that maybe when the bag comes, I can just arrange for a trip or something because the GST claim will be almost the same as ticket price.

 

[sayuri_hermes]

Hi

i have done this before, and as long as you have the bag with you and the receipt has your name and address on it, they will proceed with the GST refund. The only question they asked me was why the bag cost so much in a serious tone ( male officer) So i said because its Hermes and its handmade.

 

[makeup121]

Hi

i have done this before, and as long as you have the bag with you and the receipt has your name and address on it, they will proceed with the GST refund. The only question they asked me was why the bag cost so much in a serious tone ( male officer) So i said because its Hermes and its handmade.

Yes, I remember now, the officer also asked her colleague to look at the bag...... They were surprised to see a bag that cost that much....

 

[djmm]

He was probably thinking you're trying to fraud it by over estimating the bag price... By the way did you have any trouble bringing back the bag? (if you did bring it back)

 

[sayuri_hermes]

Yes, I remember now, the officer also asked her colleague to look at the bag...... They were surprised to see a bag that cost that much....

Yup, it happend to me TWICE (once for Birkin, the other for a bolide). For the Bolide, the male officer asked the other male officer, but none of them "appeared" to know anything about Hermes, so they couldn't figured out why the bag cost so much. The second time with the Birkin, the male officer asked the other female officer, and she asked me whether that's "THE birkin" and I said yes, then she said to ther male officer, "its an exclusive bag".

I didn't bring the bags back into Australia until a year later, and they were quite used then, so I didn't declare it when I re-enter the country, so I didn't pay anything.

 

[djmm]

I see. I think it's better if I let my partner carry it out (I'm a guy) because it might be harder to reason if they see a guy with a Birkin in a luggage (unless they have no idea what Birkin is...)
But customs in Australia seems to be more interested in checking whether you have foods in your luggage.

 

[abbazeef]

Hi... I purchased my birkin in Paris FSH and then traveled to the UK by train. I claimed the tax when I left Heathrow airport... I sent the box back by post prior to leaving and carried my new bag with me as you have to show it when claiming the tax (it was credited to my credit card about 5 weeks later) As I was using my new bag I didn't declare the cost when entering Australia, which was easy to do as i didn't have the box and receipt with me.

Be aware that when claiming the tax they do take your receipt, best to get a photocopy of it prior to presenting it. AND....so much cheaper than in Aus.

Hye,
May i know what type of burkin u get in paris.. Do u just walk in and get it. Im new ti this and have read that there always a wait list for birkin bag..how much for the bag now. The price.