Buying duty free?

[Davidf61]

Well, I don't smoke, drink in moderation [ usually French reds, sigh ] but am off overseas in a few weeks. I'm quite familiar with Ebay and Amazon, is it still worth the effort of having a browse or do I not bother? It's something I never seem to hear mentioned these days.

Any recent experiences out there?

[Strider]

Don't bother. The savings are generally considerably less than you'll find online and its way too hard to return anything if you ever have an issue.

Doesn't hurt to have a browse though. Gotta do something with those multiple hours in the airports!

[GPSGuided]

"Duty Free Stores" are meaningless these days. The only benefit one can gain on departure from Australia is GST refund, and only on goods purchased on a single tax invoice of value greater or equal to $300. You can have multiple $300 invoices but not multiple invoices that adds up to $300 or more. Purchases can be made from any shop in Australia, as long as they provide a proper invoice. For smaller purchases that you can't combine to $300 in the same store, the only alternative is to purchase from an airport "duty free". However, the "GST savings" from these stores are often easily defeated by wise purchase decisions in the general market place. You should also be careful with some of the online stores. Online sellers often don't furnish a proper tax invoice or only provide one if specifically requested.

So going back to your original question. GST refund is still worth it if you plan properly eg. Buy a very expensive Bordeaux and keeping the volume within Australian custom concession import limit (2.25L) as well as for your destination country. Alternatively, just buy at the airport upon your return. SYD/MEL etc have a duty free store just before immigration, selling alcohol and tobacco products.

[oldpiscator]

Just back from Christmas island via Fiji. 2 X 1lt bottles Tullamore Dew at Fiji for $48Aus has got to be a bargain.

[bernieq]

Be aware that you are limited to $900 of goods duty & GST free on return to Australia.

More than that and you are subject to any duty as well as GST (including goods purchased outside Australia, duty-free purchases made before you leave and as you return through the airport).

For example : buy a Nikon D700 camera in Melbourne (duty-free) a week before you go O/S for $2,000. On return, you are liable for $110 GST (10% of $1,100 – the excess over $900).

I know that this isn’t what’s likely to happen (usually, no-one notices) but it is what is supposed to happen!

[GPSGuided]

When did they change down to $900? I thought it was $1000. Or do they float it to the wildly riding AUD?

[bernieq]

.... I thought it was $1000.

I don't know about a $1000 limit but I did check the government site before posting. No, it doesn't vary with the exchange rate.

The last time i looked (before this) it was $400 !

[GPSGuided]

Or maybe I got mixed up with postal import duty free limit of $1000. But for all I could remember, $1000 has been in the back of my mind for my international travels. I remember the $400 days. Indeed a long time ago.