Buying iPhone 15 at Sydney airport Duty Free

[akabilly]

Hello everyone

Has anyone passed through Sydney International Airport recently and noted the duty free prices for the iPhone 15 Pro? (Are they just selling less GST?)

Just curious if I should buy it outside and claim the GST back through TRS or if it is actually cheaper when purchased Duty Free at the airport

Thanks!

 

[luckypierre]

Hello everyone

Has anyone passed through Sydney International Airport recently and noted the duty free prices for the iPhone 15 Pro? (Are they just selling less GST?)

Just curious if I should buy it outside and claim the GST back through TRS or if it is actually cheaper when purchased Duty Free at the airport

Thanks!

Can’t help you on the Sydney Duty free pricing. However what I’ve done this year is to buy Apple gift cards from BIGW earlier this year when there was a 20x point offer, effectively 10% discount (though mine converted to QFF points), then bought my iPhone about a month before travel direct from an Apple Store. Then claimed the GST from the TRS on departure. I used the TRS App to streamline the claim process.

 

[jpp42]

Just a reminder that this facility - either the duty-free airport store or TRS - is only for those taking the iPhone permanently out of Australia. If you are an Australian resident and bring it back, you will need to repay that GST on entry. There seems to be some misunderstanding on this point, and Customs is getting a lot better at enforcing it (they will target Australian residents who have used TRS, and check serial numbers of things like iPhones).

 

[Quickstatus]

Just curious if I should buy it outside and claim the GST back through TRS or if it is actually cheaper when purchased Duty Free at the airport

There is no Duty Free apple Store
The Duty free franchise is owned by Heinemann

You can look up the prices and compare duty free and non duty free. It is not Apple price less GST. It is Apple price less GST + Heinemann margin + Sydney Airport profit. This is not just for Apple but for every brand Heinemann sells

Of course, you have to factor in time/inconvenience claiming the TRS at the airport. But if you are taking the phone back into AU you can get pinged for GST whether you buy DF or buy from Apple in Sydney then claim TRS (depending on your duty free allowance)

But please spend your money at the Duty Free
Through my super fund I have an interest in encouraging people to spend their hard earned at the Duty Free. It only increases Sydney Airport profits and my superfund benefits

 

[luckypierre]

Just a reminder that this facility - either the duty-free airport store or TRS - is only for those taking the iPhone permanently out of Australia. If you are an Australian resident and bring it back, you will need to repay that GST on entry. There seems to be some misunderstanding on this point, and Customs is getting a lot better at enforcing it (they will target Australian residents who have used TRS, and check serial numbers of things like iPhones).

Well not necessarily. The duty free allowance is $900 per person which is doubled if travelling with your partner. No GST was payable on our return home for my iPhone purchase.

 

[CMA222]

A search of the Heinemann website has a listing for iPhone 14 Pro.

https://www.heinemann.com.au/en/global/apple/apple-iphone-14-pro-128gb-silver/p/000000000999092416/

nothing for 15 Pro.

As per @luckypierre post above, if the combined allowance of two people travelling together is utilised then there is no GST due up to the $1800 combined limit, on returning to Oz.

Also note the banner regarding a 5% discount - it has conditions.

 

[equus]

Well not necessarily. The duty free allowance is $900 per person which is doubled if travelling with your partner. No GST was payable on our return home for my iPhone purchase.

Also remember depreciation. Even if the item you have purchased is over the allowance limit, it is worth less second hand after you have used it overseas, and you would only need to pay GST back on this reduced value - still netting you a saving.

New TRS rules? Goods no longer included in cap?

 

[Lynda2475]

IME for phones/tablets/electronics you can always get a better price at non-duty free stores, especially today with black-friday sales; then just claim back the GST via TRS.

 

[luckypierre]

IME for phones/tablets/electronics you can always get a better price at non-duty free stores, especially today with black-friday sales; then just claim back the GST via TRS.

And need to buy within 60 days of departure to make the TRS claim.

 

[Lynda2475]

And need to buy within 60 days of departure to make the TRS claim.

Yes and the other advantage of buying retail/online is you can open and set up the new device before departure to make sure there are no issues and all is working as it should.

Buying at airport means you only have the lounge time to set it up.

 

[SYD]

Just a reminder that this facility - either the duty-free airport store or TRS - is only for those taking the iPhone permanently out of Australia.

As mentioned above, this is not correct. We all have our DF limits whether bought in Oz or OS (and bringing items into Oz).

If you are an Australian resident and bring it back, you will need to repay that GST on entry.

Only if you exceed your limit (individual or pooled). $1800 if travelling with someone.

There seems to be some misunderstanding on this point, and Customs is getting a lot better at enforcing it (they will target Australian residents who have used TRS, and check serial numbers of things like iPhones).

The only misunderstanding would be the individual completing their customs declaration. It’s the same Yes/No (do you have > $900 question) that’s been there forever. But not everyone knows about the ability to pool allowances - which ABF don’t advise on the form.

Note: it is an offence to give a false declaration. But a phone out of the box and in use is more likely to be waved through than one still in shrink wrap.

Yes and the other advantage of buying retail/online is you can open and set up the new device before departure to make sure there are no issues and all is working as it should.

Buying at airport means you only have the lounge time to set it up.

This!

NRMA also gives discount Apple vouchers. If you’re lucky you can align a purchase with an AMEX $100 cash back (SYD+1 picked up a new iPhone recently using NRMA vouchers, my AMEX cash back and TRS GST refund - oh, and Trade in! (But the invoice amount for GST is pre trade in ). That’s another good reason to buy direct from Apple!

 

[SOPOOR]

ive price compared electronics every time i go to airports, and the prices have all been RRP or RRP minus a few %,
i always leave the airport having a laugh at how bad pricing is

much much much better to wait until sales at Harvey norman, jb hifi, good guys, myer etc .etc.

ive got jbhifi gift cards stocked up when they go on special from the various super markets

 

[JessicaTam]

ive price compared electronics every time i go to airports, and the prices have all been RRP or RRP minus a few %,
i always leave the airport having a laugh at how bad pricing is

much much much better to wait until sales at Harvey norman, jb hifi, good guys, myer etc .etc.

ive got jbhifi gift cards stocked up when they go on special from the various super markets

I agree. DF always seems to be about the same as normal retail for the items I have been looking at. Usually electronics.

I left AU earlier this month with about $2400 worth of items I claimed via TRS. The officer made it very clear that I needed to declare everything I bring back if over $900. The first time I have had this spelled out so clearly. They must have had a few people complain about paying back the GST on re-entry - "But nobody told me!"

I have always tried to time my purchases of new phone/laptop/tablet just before heading o/s in order to claim the GST. Each time I have declared it on the way back I haven't had to pay. Nothing ever comes back with its packaging so it is obvious it has been used.

Edit: I figure BF has to put a flag on the passport of anyone claiming GST back, so not worth trying to sneak anything back in.

 

[DC3]

Just a reminder that this facility - either the duty-free airport store or TRS - is only for those taking the iPhone permanently out of Australia. If you are an Australian resident and bring it back, you will need to repay that GST on entry. There seems to be some misunderstanding on this point, and Customs is getting a lot better at enforcing it (they will target Australian residents who have used TRS, and check serial numbers of things like iPhones).

Unfortunately, the wording is a bit “off”. Perhaps consider amending the post to reflect subsequent comments.

 

[luckypierre]

Edit: I figure BF has to put a flag on the passport of anyone claiming GST back, so not worth trying to sneak anything back in.

I suspect that is the case. When presenting my claim at the TRS counter, I was asked if I was travelling with someone else, implying that the Duty Free limit would be doubled. Subsequently no issue on our return to Oz when declaring the duty free limit had been exceeded for myself.

 

[jpp42]

Perhaps consider amending the post to reflect subsequent comments.

I did actually try to do that, but for some reason the edit button is not showing for that post. Apologies that I didn't make the clarification that my comments were valid if individual and worth over $900.

 

[akabilly]

Just leaving the prices at Sydney Airport here just in case anyone may want to know the Apple prices at the airport for their future travels...

Thank you also for everyone's prior responses

 

[SYD]

Just leaving the prices at Sydney Airport here just in case anyone may want to know the Apple prices at the airport for their future travels...

Thank you also for everyone's prior responses

They’re certainly not passing on the full GST refund. That 256GB iPhone 15 ought to be ~$1,545 after TRS GST refund. In both cases, you still need to manage your DF allowance - not an issue if travelling with someone.

Plus, probably can’t do a trade in…

 

[Quickstatus]

probably can’t do a trade in

Correct. Trade in is only via Apple Stores.

 

[Quickstatus]

Just leaving the prices at Sydney Airport

Nah

iPhone 15 pro 250GB at Apple store = $2049
less GST = $1862

Cheaper than duty free by $88
And I can get a rebate by trading in the old iPhone at the Apple store. An iPhone X trade in is worth $190, iPhone 11 Pro worth $380

AirPods, AirTags, Pencil and iPad can get free engraving with free online delivery as well