Hermes Sydney
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They recorded the detail of the bag on their system against your passport and search according to that detail.
if u go with someone, ask that person to bring it in.
They don't search all the times, but they do randomly. So best prepared for it !!!
Ive heard if ppl who claim the refund numerous times on high end pieces to be put on a "watch list" but not someone who has done it for the 1st time... [emoji53]
My mom recently took 2 Chanel bags with her to Japan and claimed the GST.
The TRS officer did question mom as to whether she is aware that if she brings the bags back that she would have to pay the GST back thinking those bags were for herself.
Mom told her they are for my auntie who she would be meeting in Japan and she knows how GST refund works and only applicable to items taken out from Aussie and not brought back.
Mom told me that even having said that, the officer noted on their system (consequently her passport) about the GST refunds on the two bags.
Then on the way home, they checked her but obviously mom didn't have the bags anymore as they were really bought for my auntie.
It made me think that they are getting stricter but I have two friends who recently proposed to their GFs overseas, had the E-rings made in Sydney and took them overseas.
They were able to get the GST refunds.
I wonder if they are targeting certain travellers with certain items?!?
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To add, that was the first time mom claimed GST refund as usually I am the one who does it.
Having said that, I've only done them twice so I'm not a regular either.
I have never been questioned too.
That's so strange. I've done TRS a number of times over multiple years (including this weekend >1k) nd no one has ever said that to me.
The only time that was weird was the customs officer didn't believe the H and Cc item prices and I bought them and took my receipts to confirm with the store. They did post them back.
Of course, they will try to deter people claiming tax !!!!! Very much depend on your luck, and officer you dealing with at the time you making the claim, some don't care so they don't mark on your passport record, some do care and mark on your passport record, then you be checked on the way in !!!
I think I have been marked
Did my tax return on Sunday
The officer asked me if I am an Australian resident ( I said no) then she asked me will I be being the goods back to Australia and when do I intend to travel back.
I said to her : I will not bring the goods back and I have no idea when I will be back probably 30 days
She looked at my receipts and pointed out a 4700$ item asked me what that is
I said it is clutch she entered it into the system
She kept reminding me if I bring the goods back to Australia if they check and find out I have the goods I will to pay the gst back and my name will be put down on the system
Does it mean I will get check?
I claimed 2500$
Few years ago I brought a LV bag to my friend in NZ and claimed gst back and has been marked by custom, the custom girl did not give me easy time as I was only traveling to nz for 4 days, she photocopied my passport and made note on my claim, however I wasn't checked when I came back... really depends on luck I think. I have noticed that if you are flying out to Asian countries they tend to be more easy going because of the long queue, if they are free they will check more carefully. Just my observation.
I am actually flying to london, I will arrive in Australia 5am in th morning I wonder if they work at that time?
Before I flight out I had already stamped my receipt before I checked in
So I left the clutch and some other items to my partner he brought them home
I took my birkin a wallet and the scarf with me
I am now thinking have those items shipped from london to Australia just in case if they stop me in the airport