Australia & GST

[gwaipor]

Hi all,

First timer questions about buying from a US online store and delivering to Australia

I understand there are waivers for 5% duty tax because of AUSFTA, but 10% GST would still be applicable.

However I also have the option to purchase around the time of my overseas travel, so should potentially be exempt.

Would I go through the usual process of delivery, then to TRS at the airport to get GST back?

Many thanks in advance

Gwaipor

 

[gwaipor]

Just re-reading the customs website, it seems the company of which you purchased from needs to have an ABN, so I guess TRS is out of the question. Will see if there are other options

 

[justginger]

Hi all,

First timer questions about buying from a US online store and delivering to Australia

I understand there are waivers for 5% duty tax because of AUSFTA, but 10% GST would still be applicable.

However I also have the option to purchase around the time of my overseas travel, so should potentially be exempt.

Would I go through the usual process of delivery, then to TRS at the airport to get GST back?

Many thanks in advance

Gwaipor

How would the GST be exempt? Even if you are traveling overseas, the product is not remaining out of the country. That is the situation in which you would receive your 10% back - if the item were leaving the country and not returning. If you bring it back into the country when you return home, you're liable for GST again.

 

[gwaipor]

Hi all,

First timer questions about buying from a US online store and delivering to Australia

I understand there are waivers for 5% duty tax because of AUSFTA, but 10% GST would still be applicable.

However I also have the option to purchase around the time of my overseas travel, so should potentially be exempt.

Would I go through the usual process of delivery, then to TRS at the airport to get GST back?

Many thanks in advance

Gwaipor

How would the GST be exempt? Even if you are traveling overseas, the product is not remaining out of the country. That is the situation in which you would receive your 10% back - if the item were leaving the country and not returning. If you bring it back into the country when you return home, you're liable for GST again.

Yeah it's not returning back into the country

 

[justginger]

Why not have the vendor wait to send the stone until you are overseas then? No sense having it come into a country liable for 10% tax, only to be taken out a short time later. Like you said before, without the purchase being an Australian one, getting GST back will likely be impossible.

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

I think you will find that in order to receive a GST refund upon leaving the country, the said purchase would need to have been made in Australia in the first place.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4646.asp

 

[LaraOnline]

So... if you arrange to pick up from your vendor while overseas,
and then pop it on your finger from then.....
do you pay GST?

 

[justginger]

So... if you arrange to pick up from your vendor while overseas,
and then pop it on your finger from then.....
do you pay GST?

Yes, if you wish to remain a law-abiding citizen. Australia will allow you only $900 of overseas purchases tax-free, otherwise new items must be declared as you enter the country. They will be taxed. There is a loophole if items have been in your possession for an extended amount of time (1 year?) to give people like me a break when we move here. Can you imagine paying taxes on all your possessions for a second time?!

 

[LaraOnline]

So depressing...a consumption tax on purchases made out of the country...pooh!!!

I wonder what the actual time limit is...even one year seems too long a period of tax capture, especially for a person who is moving to Australia and has not previously lived in Aus.

The only answer is to have important purchases be gifts from rellies who live in the os country!

A Chanel bag from Great Aunt Ethel and an engagement ring gifted from Great Uncle Ed.

 

[Chloegal]

Why not have the vendor wait to send the stone until you are overseas then? No sense having it come into a country liable for 10% tax, only to be taken out a short time later. Like you said before, without the purchase being an Australian one, getting GST back will likely be impossible.

100% this!