debs1966

Hi Guys

I have just had a shipping agent in who advised me that if we buy new goods here i.e. white goods we were able to claim back the VAT is this the case please?

If so, as anybody done this and how do you go about claiming back the VAT. Only I am looking to buy some new goods before I head out there.

Any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Debbie

spuddyo

Why would you buy new goods before heading out here ? This might stir up a whole hornets nest, but I have read many tails of woe regarding prices being way higher here than in the UK, but in my experience it's just not true. I was over in Manchester just after Xmas and the prices on teh high street are similar for most things, but are often cheaper here in Oz if you shop around. In some cases pounds for dollars.

Overall the cost of living here is cheaper than UK, some things higher and some things lower. The exchange rate is in your favor right now which may give you a small advantage, but for most things I would say just buy when you get here. Also it's better for the Australian economy of you spend you money here

joquin

Cost of living in WA is way higher than UK

Steve2009

If the goods are that new then you might be charged GST and Duty on arrival here.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

That's exceptionally unlikely though if you are only importing the average looking contents of a home. Container full of fridges would indeed tweak the interest of Customs... single fridge, even if new, is not going to interest them.

Rambi

I think the biggest problem you might have is showing the goods to the people at the airport if they ask to see them.

Steve2009

That's true, I was just thinking that re-claiming VAT on export would attract attention? Customs check very few bags at airports so it could be the same with containers.
Yeah, might have trouble fitting the fridge in the overhead locker.

Rambi

I'd like to see Tony Ryan making a youtube video of how to do that.

Steve2009

Mick O'Leary? Don't be giving him ideas!!!

Rambi

Oops should have spend more time checking the name.

Saw the packing video the other day after they'd bumped 100 Belgians off a flight for bad packing

Steve2009

No worries, Tony Ryan handed the reigns over to the bauld Mick a while before Mick had the brainwave to copy Southwest Airlines. Tony and family are however partly responsible for the joys that are Tiger Airways. Never had the pleasure myself but the in-laws are unimpressed.

Rambi

Putting the sensible hat on for a second.

I'm not 100% sure but I think the VAT refund scheme doesn't apply to freight.

It might be worth checking out the price of goods here just in case. I would find and call a "Good Guys" store local to your destination and asking them for a best price. Although everything is more expensive in Australia, sometimes it's not!

If you're think of buying computer stuff and you have children then there is a tax rebate scheme here (called the Education Tax Refund) which can make things cheaper.