GST Refund

[Foreigner]

From 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.

I was hoping to pack new iPAD (sealed, to be given as gift) in checked luggage. Will refund application be refused?

 

[mannej]

I was hoping to pack new iPAD (sealed, to be given as gift) in checked luggage. Will refund application be refused?

Not relating to the question as such, but would it not be a better idea to keep the iPad in your hand luggage for security purposes.

 

[opusman]

There's apparently a customs desk in the check-in area where you can show goods that are going in your check-in luggage for GST refund, however I have never tried this myself.

 

[kpc]

There's apparently a customs desk in the check-in area where you can show goods that are going in your check-in luggage for GST refund, however I have never tried this myself.

That's correct...you need to take it to the Customs and Border Protection counter which is located at Sydney airport on arrivals level, one level below the departure / check in level, at the bottom of the escalator (take the escalator from Departures level, near checkin counter H, down 1 level, and the counter is just to the left IIRC). They will sight your goods, and stamp and scribble something on your receipt (leave plenty of time as often there is a long Q); you then go back up the escalator to Departures level again, checkin your goods with your luggage, and then claim the GST back from the TRS desk post security as usual.

 

[moa999]

But for an ipad, much simpler to take it in hand luggage I would have thought.

 

[Foreigner]

But for an ipad, much simpler to take it in hand luggage I would have thought.

It is. I have gathered new knowledge from kpc. ty.

 

[Ric]

That's correct...you need to take it to the Customs and Border Protection counter which is located at Sydney airport on arrivals level, one level below the departure / check in level, at the bottom of the escalator (take the escalator from Departures level, near checkin counter H, down 1 level, and the counter is just to the left IIRC). They will sight your goods, and stamp and scribble something on your receipt (leave plenty of time as often there is a long Q); you then go back up the escalator to Departures level again, checkin your goods with your luggage, and then claim the GST back from the TRS desk post security as usual.

Apparently this office does not check anymore. Was told that the rules were changed. You can only do it at the office after immigration.
So you can only get refunds on items that you wear and/or carry on. Happened to me a month ago.

 

[kpc]

Apparently this office does not check anymore. Was told that the rules were changed. You can only do it at the office after immigration.
So you can only get refunds on items that you wear and/or carry on. Happened to me a month ago.

Interesting...I last did this in February. On the customs' website, it still states:

Passengers wanting to claim the TRS on oversized goods (e.g. surfboards, golf clubs) must present the goods for sighting to the Customs and Border Protection Client Services prior to check-in

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/TRS_Fact_Sheet.pdf

 

[Ric]

Yes, for oversized items like surfboard, golf clubs etc. Other than that it's a no.

 

[kpc]

Yes, for oversized items like surfboard, golf clubs etc. Other than that it's a no.

Oh...ok...I had a large suitcase for sighting.

 

[Ric]

From memory, the Customs Officer told me that it was changed recently, so could have changed after your trip in February.
I was there June 24.

 

[Jleno]

Looking to buy a macbook. Does anyone know if GST refund can be claimed if purchased with gift cards (eg JB Hifi)?

 

[robd]

Looking to buy a macbook. Does anyone know if GST refund can be claimed if purchased with gift cards (eg JB Hifi)?

Yes you can. Your receipt will still show the amount you paid. Doesn't matter in what form the payment was.

 

[opusman]

Looking to buy a macbook. Does anyone know if GST refund can be claimed if purchased with gift cards (eg JB Hifi)?

Yes makes no difference how you paid for it, if you paid GST you can claim it back.

 

[MarkD]

on a $900 invoice to get $80 odd dollars back I cannot be bothered. Would rather sail through the terminal than stuff about. Each to their own I guess.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

on a $900 invoice to get $80 odd dollars back I cannot be bothered. Would rather sail through the terminal than stuff about. Each to their own I guess.

three minutes standing in a line to be paid $80 bucks? I don't earn more than $1600 an hour, so it's a pretty compelling argument to me

 

[MarkD]

Last time I went through Syd the line was a mile long. If it's usually that quick it's worth it then, but from my experience it was a huge que and not worth the wait

 

[clazman]

Wouldn't waste my time... I queued for 15 minutes and gave up... i think it will be hit on miss on a queue and don't see aus gov spending any money on improving cust service for giving back money

 

[DeKa]

If you pre register your receipts, you can be in and out in two minutes.

 

[clazman]

Do tell us how we do that?