No review of GST 'anomaly' at airport
Items bought upon departure not taxed when brought in later
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) is sticking to its guns regarding purchase-on-arrival rules at Changi Airport, despite complaints of an "anomaly" in the goods and services tax (GST).
Currently, if a traveller shops at the airport before getting on a flight, he does not have to pay the 7 per cent GST because the items bought are considered as being exported.
However, if the purchases are made at the airport when the person returns to the Republic, the items become taxable because they are considered to be consumed in Singapore.
This means that technically a passenger can buy a product upon departure, then bring it back to consume - without paying the consumption-based tax.
