Tips on handling customs duties and VAT/GST taxes

Customs duties and VAT/GST taxes can come to significant numbers and it can add up to real money. Many countries, including Australia have mechanisms for “Boats in Transit” to avoid or recoup those taxes, but just try to actually make it happen! Australian GST is 11%. In theory it is refundable when you leave, but the rules make it essentially impossible. First you have to sign into a “scheme” (yes, that’s what they call it) which, besides paperwork, requires you to pay $38 for each crew member. That $190 for us would mean that we would have to have spent more than $1727. But just on goods, not services. Goods and services mixed in a bill? Sorry, not deductible. Then if it is just goods, you must be able to prove it is being exported. Paint, painted on already? Sorry, can’t tell. Rope made up into halyards? Sorry. Did you know it also has to be exported within 30 days of purchase? Sorry. And you don’t get 100% of what you spent due to unspecified charges. I talked to three Customs officers and a “question line” at the Capitol, and got the impression that it had never actually happened.