Claiming tax back for items purchased on holiday

nomoneytoday

Indout96 wrote: »

Only if you tell them

Just put it in a laptop bag and sling it on your shoulder, not hard at all.

Same way you normally carry a laptop :rotfl:

Claiming the GST back is as good as telling customs you have a new toy...

phatbear

And of course the OP will be declaring it when they make their way through customs, as not doing so would be an offence.

all the best

the bear

aramo

Rommoney wrote: »

This applies to Canada

I have my brother in British Colombia at the moment and was thinking of purchasing much computer equipment because of its cheaper prices and the possibility that i can claim the tax back here.

Thanks

I cannot speak specifically for Canada but else where the following procedure is followed.

You should if possible buy the goods in stores that are part of the local Export Refund Scheme, this makes things easier but is probably not essential. Keep all receipts and ensure receipts explicitly quote and itemise any tax paid. Often receipts must exceed some minimum value before they can be used for reclaims something in the region of US$100.

At the airport of departure have the goods available for inspection [BEFORE YOU CHECK BAGS IN] and all paperwork. Go to the TAX RECLAIM counter and get your money back. There maybe a charge [in Thailand it's either 12% or 15% of the refund due depending on which of the local Export Refund Schemes the shop was signed up to]. In Ireland/UK I have not heard of a charge.

Given the value of the goods on entering EU you are expected to declare the goods and pay import duties (approx 10%) and VAT (17.5%).

If you flying from UK to Canada spend a little time at the UK airport checking the procedures there [act as if you where a Canadian looking for a refund], do this before going through security.

You will have to verify all figures for yourself, the UK Customs and Excise site should have details about personal allowances (tax free) when importing and rates that apply if these allowances are exceeded.

Took about 2 minutes to google and locate these guides
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_InfoGuides&columns=1&id=CUSTOMSALLOWANCES

Hope your trip goes well.