Tourist Refund Scheme - Melbourne Airport

[Ben174]

I am travelling overseas wednesday with work. I have done a bit of shopping for new clothes for the trip including a new suit which i will be keeping overseas at the offices so i can travel lightly in the future.

Of the shopping i dont want to carry it all in hand luggage as it totals to a couple of ties, suit, couple of t shirts and 5 shirts. Is there a way i can claim the refund without taking it through as hand luggage? My flights at 9am, so will be through security in the QC by about 7.30am , are customs offices open then? Or do i have no choice but to take it through immigration? Cram as much as i can in a suit bag etc?

any ideas?
Thanks

 

[Ben174]

Sorry Mods! I posted in the wrong section :S

 

[medhead]

Basic information about the TRS is found here: Advice for travellers

More general information for travellers is available here: Travellers

First question do you have tax invoices of total value greater than $300? There is the ability to have goods sighted by customs before you check in, this is generally only for bulky items. However, you could try them to see what they say. Plan B, if they won't sight the goods, would then to have the highest value items pre-determined so that you know what you are going to take onboard and claim the refund on.

Clothes should not be subject to tax when you return. Advice for travellers

Failing all that you could always ring customs.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Of the shopping i dont want to carry it all in hand luggage as it totals to a couple of ties, suit, couple of t shirts and 5 shirts.

Hang them all in a lightweight suit carrier and hang it once you got on board. A suit with five shirts is easy to manouevre, its my usual business travel pack. You can fold into thirds and hang it off your wheelie bag.

Note the $300 rule.

 

[Ben174]

Im flying Prem Econ, do they hang your suit bag up for you or do you just put it in the over head compartment?

Thanks

 

[TonyHancock]

Im flying Prem Econ, do they hang your suit bag up for you or do you just put it in the over head compartment?

Thanks

My QF international Y+ has been good - always hang my jacket. (Not so with BA though :-|)

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Im flying Prem Econ, do they hang your suit bag up for you or do you just put it in the over head compartment?

Even in Y, if you ask nicely they will, you might have to get it back yourself on the way out though (ie they may not bring it to you like a jacket). If they do it in Y+, that's a bonus. The key is asking nicely, and lets be honest, you've plenty of time to kill even if you have to get it back yourself before landing.

 

[flychrisfly]

I'm not sure about MEL but in SYD there is a customs counter on the land-side where they can view your goods before they are checked in. I think they stamp your receipt and you then present this at the tax refund counter air-side. Give them a call or maybe the MEL airport maps have some information.

Let us know how you go.