Handbag most expensive item declared at GST refund counter

PUTRAJAYA: A Channel branded handbag, valued at a whooping RM16,000, is the most expensive item being declared at the Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund verification counter at the KL International Airport (KLIA) since it began operations Wednesday.

KLIA Customs director Datuk Chik Omar Chik Lim said the handbag was declared yesterday (April 1) on the first day that the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) was introduced in conjunction with the implementatuion of GST.

He said up till now, 13 transactions were recorded at the verification counter under the TRS.

"Most of the goods declared are clothes, wrist watches and pewter and, based on the receipts, these were mainly purchased from Suria KLCC, Pavilion and Bukit Bintang," he told Bernama after inspecting the GST refund verificvation counter at KLIA Thursday.

Also present was Customs Department deputy director-general Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman.

TRS is being introduced to make it easier for foreign tourists to claim their GST refund for the goods bought from 800 retailers that registered under the scheme.

To enable foreign tourists to get their refund, they are required to come to the verification counter equipped with the goods that are to be declared, sales receipts; passport; boarding pass and GST claims form acquired from the premises they bought the goods after making payment.

Explaining the procedure, Chik Omar said after settling all matters at verification counter, the tourist needs to proceed to the claims payment counter with the GST claims form that had been endorsed by customs.

"The claims payment counter is placed inside the departure hall because we (customs) want to ensure the tourist concerned is really departing for abroad," he said.

Meanwhile Abdul Rahman said to ensure no elements of cheating on the GST claims occurred, customs also conducted goods authencity test using a special machine known as "Spectometer".

He said the machine, being placed at the claims payment counter at the departure hall, would examine gold items and metal density level that were purchased in the country.

"Customs officers will first weigh the goods (jewellery) items that are handed over by the tourists and placed them in a spectometer to be tested. The process lasted about five minutes," he said.

"This test is always conducted three times. For example, for a bracelet we will test the main part first, then the hook and other accessories to ensure all are from the same type of gold," said Abdul Rahman.