PUTRAJAYA: A Chanel handbag priced at 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.
KLIA Customs director Datuk Chik Omar Chik Lim said the handbag was declared on the first day that the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) was introduced in conjunction with the implementation of GST on Wednesday.
He said so far 13 transactions were recorded at the verification counter under the TRS.
“Most of the goods declared were 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 counter yesterday.
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 with the goods that are to be declared, receipts, passport, boarding pass and GST claims form acquired from the premises they bought the goods.
Explaining the procedure, Chik Omar said after settling all matters at the verification counter, the tourist should proceed to the claims payment counter with the GST claims form that would be endorsed by Customs.
“The claims payment counter is placed inside the departure hall because we want to ensure the tourist concerned is really departing the country,” he said.
Abdul Rahman said to ensure no element of cheating on GST claims pertaining to precious metals, Customs also conducted goods authenticity tests using a spectrometer.
He said the machine, placed at the claims payment counter, would examine gold items and metal density level.
“Officers will first weigh the items and then place them in the spectrometer to be tested. The process lasts 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 of the same type of gold,” said Abdul Rahman.
A similar GST refund counter at the Penang International Airport is also operating smoothly, said Penang Customs director Datuk Zulkifli Yahya.
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