Buying an unlocked iPhone X in Australia

jamesbrownontheroad

Hello all.

Work is taking me to Australia for a few days next month, and I'm also in the market for a new iPhone.

I wondered if anyone who knows a bit more about this could check my maths (and my understanding of GST in Australia).

For the sake of comparison, an unlocked / SIM free Apple iPhone
64GB is GBP799 in the UK.

Australia has a Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) which would allow me to reclaim the goods and services tax (GST) on a phone worth more than AUD300.

I've found a new iPhone X 64GB on sale at an authorised Apple reseller in Austalia for AUD1,399. My understanding of Australian law is that the displayed price must include GST, which is currently 10%, so I'm assuming that after GST is refunded that comes to AUD1,259.10, about GBP700.

Are my sums correct? Is a new iPhone bought in person in Australia eligible for the Tourist Refund when I depart from a participating airport?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Mr_Singleton

jamesbrownontheroad wrote: »

Work is taking me to Australia for a few days next month, and I'm also in the market for a new iPhone

Is a new iPhone bought in person in Australia eligible for the Tourist Refund when I depart from a participating airport?.

Oh bless, such touching almost child like innocence.

You don’t need to worry about GST, import duties etc etc all you need to remember is that your dealing with Apple.....

Apple will invalidate your warranty meaning that any warranty work that needs doing to the iPhone will require that you return it to Apple Australia. Last time I looked Apple was ‘hiding’ that fact in the small print.

prowla

https://store.apple.com/Catalog/Images/worldwidewarranty.html

Mr_Singleton

Your point being what?

Mr_Singleton

prowla wrote: »

https://store.apple.com/Catalog/Images/worldwidewarranty.html

This quote will be of interest to the OP.....

“If you seek service in a country that is not the original country of purchase, you will comply with all applicable import and export laws and regulations and be responsible for all custom duties, V.A.T. and other associated taxes and charges. Where international service is available”

Good to see Apple looking after the UK tax payer for once.... or is it trying to wriggle out of its obligations?

[Deleted User]

jamesbrownontheroad wrote: »

For the sake of comparison, an unlocked / SIM free Apple iPhone
64GB is GBP799 in the UK.

...
so I'm assuming that after GST is refunded that comes to AUD1,259.10, about GBP700.

And please add on the duty and VAT you will have to pay UK Customs when you come back into the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-outside-the-eu
So it will cost more.
Also you will not be able to take the phone back to Australia unless you pay the GST on entry to the country.
Assuming you wish to do everything legally.

unforeseen

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

This quote will be of interest to the OP.....

“If you seek service in a country that is not the original country of purchase, you will comply with all applicable import and export laws and regulations and be responsible for all custom duties, V.A.T. and other associated taxes and charges. Where international service is available”

Good to see Apple looking after the UK tax payer for once.... or is it trying to wriggle out of its obligations?

They are quite within their rights to insist that the sender covers all import/export costs. Not just UK owners but owners in any other country.

Their warranty, their rules