Hi everyone. I am planning to travel overseas soon and purchased a travel case/luggage costing over $400. It is too big to use as carry-on luggage but the requirement for the refund is carry-on only. Has anyone had any experience obtaining a refund for a suitcase that they will be checking in as check-in luggage? From my understanding, there are special provisions for liquids over 100ml that cannot be carried onto the flight personally (such as wine) so it seems that it might work but want to make sure. Thanks for your help.
Tourist Refund Scheme
wcm8382 on 26/09/2013 - 21:37
Comments
which international airport will you be leaving from?
Are you a tourist who is taking the goods and leaving them overseas?
Whilst the rules state you need to have the goods with you upon claiming, I've never been asked to show the item, only the receipt. In that sense you could get away with not even having it with you.
Every time.. i have had to produce the item… EVERY TIME… thats at least 10 times in 5 years
Well I've yet to show the product, for the last 3 times in 2 years. It's been a camera every-time, and they ask me what it is, I tell them of course, but that's it.
I've also had to produce the item every single time. Last time it was a camera and was in a case, the guy even made me take it out of the case to match the model with the receipt.
Same here. The officer matched the model of my laptop, struggled with the fact that I bought a refurbished laptop, but couldn't find any rules in their rulebook against refurbished things, so gave me a refund. This was at Gold Coast Airport by the way.
I guess different officer, different care levels.
if its too large for carry on its 'supposed' to be fine anyway aslong as its been checked in. whenever ive used the scheme though they always make sure its with you.. take some form of photo proof you checked it in just incase they want let you maybe?
Just claimed a suit that I packed in my checked in baggage 2 days ago.
I was leaving from Melb Airport, you need to go to Arrival section (downstairs) and head to customs office, and show your luggage. They will stamp your receipt and you still need to show it to the custom desk after passport control for the refund to be processed. Edit: I mean, show the stamped receipt to the custom desk inside.
If you are also going from Melb, just be ready to receive a rude attitude from them. I was packing a suit set, bow tie, and cufflink, and one would thought that it is perfectly logical to pack it together.
The lady was very rude and was going through item per item and asked why I couldn't bring it on board with me. In the end she just demanded me to carry all small items in the checked in luggage which I just did so that I won't miss my flight arguing with her. She even said to me that clothing was supposed to be wore on board. Yeah right, I am going to tropical country and she suggested that I need to wear a full suit?
But yeah, don't worry, just stand your ground, politely, and you should get your refund.
Thanks for all your comments. I'll be leaving from Brisbane Airport. Hoping there will be no dramas.
In Brisbane Airport you can (or at least used to be able to) go to a TRS desk before check in (it's downstairs) and show them the goods. They'll stamp your receipt which you then have to take to the desk after customs for the refund.
Nothing to do with the OP, but if you buy a laptop for $1200, can you still claim the GST back(even though it's over 1k)?
Make you sure you tell them you are buying it for a relative overseas and not going to be bringing it back in, because I have had an experience where they said that they won't do the refund because you will have to pay it back when you come back in.
I had no problems when I did the same thing. But I was carrying 2 laptops at the time - my new one and a work one… So it was quite plausible.
if you bring it back it come under your good u can bring back GST free i think it $1200 . i my self i go on lot oversea cruise ships. clam laptop and camera all the time.
For items over $1,000 make sure the invoice is also addressed to your name/passenger travelling, otherwise they wont give you the refund.
Just to be safe as well, if you are paying by credit card, pay using the same card that you are going to use to credit the refund to.
yes u can just tell them u are take it oversea.
Item's over $1000 must have your full name and address on the tax invoice. As long as they are there it shouldn't be a problem.
Apparently, you cannot claim the GTS under TRS for your luggage as it does not meet the size restriction for carry on luggage.
See:
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4646.aspGoods/purchases that do not attract refunds under the TRS
The following goods are excluded from the TRS:
alcohol such as beer and spirits (you can buy wine and wine products under the TRS) and tobacco products (these goods can be purchased from duty-free shops) GST-free goods-no refund can be claimed if no GST was paid consumables wholly or partially consumed in Australia goods which are prohibited on aircraft or ships for safety reasons. These include items such as gas cylinders, fireworks and aerosol sprays (all airlines provide information to passengers on prohibited items) goods which fail to meet airline cabin-size or ship hand luggage restrictions unaccompanied goods (including freighted or posted goods) services such as accommodation, tours and car rental and labour charges goods purchased over the Internet and imported into Australia gift cards/vouchers (although goods purchased with gift cards/vouchers are eligible for a refund subject to all TRS requirements being met)Please note: You will not receive a refund unless Customs and Border Protection is able to verify that you are taking the goods with you. The goods must be taken on board the aircraft or ship on which you are travelling. You therefore need to include the goods in your hand luggage or wear them onto the aircraft or ship. There are aviation security restrictions on liquids, aerosols and gels.
For more information about the restrictions, visit http://travelsecure.infrastructure.gov.au/
Last time I was at Melbourne Airport claiming the TRS on some items, I inquired (for future reference) if I were to purchase luggage and check it in, could I still get the refund on the luggage. He mentioned to show the luggage to the customs office (if I remember correctly) downstairs before checking in and getting the receipt stamped, then it would be possible.
they have changed the wording on the TRS website now
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4646.asp
The refund only applies to goods you take with you as hand luggage or wear (unless aviation security measures, in regard to liquids, aerosols and gels prevent you from doing so) onto the aircraft or ship when you leave Australia. It does not apply to services or goods consumed or partly consumed in Australia, such as wine, chocolate or perfume. However, unlike other tourist shopping schemes, most of the goods, such as clothing and cameras, can be used in Australia before departure.
notice the bold around hand luggage or wear
Check in the item and ask the counter to verify the item on the receipt.
That should work fine. (many had tried that)
Please link to this scheme? Nevermind: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4263.asp