Experience with Aus refund scheme

Forums › Travel (planes, train, cruise) › Experience with Aus refund scheme - 2022

clicknz

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#295371 24-Mar-2022 10:51

Hi all - I'm in need of a laptop upgrade - looking to get a 14" Apple MBP with slightly improved specs over base model. The wait time in NZ is 2 - 3 weeks so I'm thinking of buying one in Melbourne when there soon.

Any recent travellers claimed back their Aus GST at the airport through their Travel Refund Scheme? Is this still a thing? Any foreseeable issues with this in my situation - thanks for any input.

Cheers,

Mike

morrisk

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#2891294 24-Mar-2022 11:46

Not since COVID so a few years back now.

I had their app on my phone and it made it very easy to do. Main issue was related to the queue that was sometimes there at the airport. This could vary from no queue to a considerable wait depending upon what flights were departing at the time. That may not be an issue currently.

Definitely recommend you look to using the app if you haven't done so before and assuming they still have the scheme and the app up and running.

clicknz

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#2891821 25-Mar-2022 09:00

Thanks @morrisk good to be reminded about the app and possible delays. I did front up at Melbourne airport a few years ago and received a refund on a drone purchase - so the system certainly worked well then.

If there is anyone with recent experience I’d love to hear... is there a chance that I would be asked to pay gst on the laptop by NZ customs when entering NZ?

Thanks

Cheers,
Mike

Photographer/Videographer clickmedia.nz

itxtme

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#2891839 25-Mar-2022 09:41

clicknz:

If there is anyone with recent experience I’d love to hear... is there a chance that I would be asked to pay gst on the laptop by NZ customs when entering NZ?

Well you would be breaking the law if you didn't declare. Do people do this all the time though? - Yes

Linux

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#2891843 25-Mar-2022 09:45

@clicknz Yes you have to pay GST coming back into New Zealand if you don't you are breaking the law!

Surely you have seen an arrival card before and the questions on it?

You are better off buying goods like this in New Zealand

antonknee

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#2891846 25-Mar-2022 09:48

Unfortunately my personal experience with this is pre-Covid, and second the recommendation for the app and the warning about queues. A colleague however recently used this scheme, although on lower value than yourself, with no issues.

As for bringing it into the country, just open it before you get on the plane and set it up...

Linux

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#2891848 25-Mar-2022 09:51

antonknee:

As for bringing it into the country, just open it before you get on the plane and set it up...

@antonknee You still have to pay the GST when arriving in New Zealand even if the box is open and the laptop is setup

Mighty Ape

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SpartanVXL

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#2891881 25-Mar-2022 10:49

If the item ends up as a ‘personal belonging’ you don’t need to pay GST. The clarity of this is…vague since as others have noted you can buy the item overseas, open it, setup and use it (discarding any packaging) now the item is now a personal item by all measures.

People would be very unhappy if they were either forced to pay GST every time they flew with their recent iphone etc. or have to keep paperwork for everything stating GST has been paid.