TRS Sydney Inspection

[auriga]

Just wondering about people's experiences with TRS at Sydney Airport.

More specifically, about claiming on an ipad/ phone. Do they usually want to look at the item? I remember last year for an ipad, they did not even look at it. I am sort of thinking about leaving the new ipad at home, but carrying an old one instead.

 

[andyhui01]

Just be aware that they may check to see if you brought your iPad back in when you return (assuming the iPad is over $900). Happened to me when I claimed GST on my dads 50th birthday gift. They pulled me aside specifically to ask if I brought the watch back. After I said no, they still went through my bags to check for the watch.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Just be aware that they may check to see if you brought your iPad back in when you return (assuming the iPad is over $900). Happened to me when I claimed GST on my dads 50th birthday gift. They pulled me aside specifically to ask if I brought the watch back. After I said no, they still went through my bags to check for the watch.

How would this play out if you were not a resident?

 

[andyhui01]

I'm not sure. I am a permanent resident.

Here is the link for more reading and interpretation of the $900 rule

https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Ente/Duty-Free-concessions

 

[Comoman]

At Sydney TRS when I claimed an iPhone they checked the serial number on the phone against the Apple invoice.

 

[Sdtravel]

When i went there in July using the app (which vertually had no queue) I showed the app barcode. He asked me to show him the goods. Literally before i had finished getting it out of my bag he had stamped the receipt and was handing them back to me sending me on my way. He then yelled "Can everyone ensure they have their receipts and good out ready".

So i guess it vary's depending on an array of factors. In this instance i was claiming a pair of Bose earphones.

 

[Daver6]

Does anyone know the location in SYD T1 of the counter where Customs can site goods that are going to be checked-in but wanting to claim the GST back on?

Thanks

 

[Sdtravel]

Tourist Refund Scheme | International Departures | Prepare | Sydney Airport

The TRS office is operated by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and is located on the Departures Level just after Customs within the main Heinemann Tax & Duty Free store.

https://www.ausbt.com.au/seven-easy-steps-to-speed-through-your-trs-airport-gst-refunds
This has a pic of sortof where it is.

Use the app.
Last time i did it and before i had even gotten the items out to show he had already stamped and sent me on the way.
Although things may have changed since i was there last year.

 

[Daver6]

I'm trying to find the location of the counter where they will sight the good and stamp the receipts prior to check-in and going through customs and immigration. Ie, so I don't have to carry bulky goods onboard but rather check them in with my bag.

 

[Cynicor]

"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)."

Credit to KPC from a google search: GST Refund


BTW has anyone else noticed that the search feature kind of sucks here? I knew that the thread I was looking for existed, so I could use google itself...

 

[Daver6]

BTW has anyone else noticed that the search feature kind of sucks here? I knew that the thread I was looking for existed, so I could use google itself...

Thank you. I agree. I knew it would have been covered but my search failed too

 

[Daver6]

Recent experience leaving Sydney. I had purchased some clothing that I wanted to claim the GST back on, but wanted to check-in most of it (a couple of jackets amongst other things). I went to the Customs and Border Protection counter prior to check-in, but they refused to stamp the receipt. Reason being is they don't do it for clothing. I immediately called them out on this as they'd done this for me previously. I also asked where is this stated. They couldn't provide me with anything definitive and refused to stamp my receipt.

Anyone had this experience before or know about this so called rule?

According to their website Tourist Refund Scheme it mentions over-sized goods but puts no limits. In my mind, over-sized means you would exceed your carry-on limit.

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

According to their website Tourist Refund Scheme it mentions over-sized goods but puts no limits. In my mind, over-sized means you would exceed your carry-on limit.

From their perspective, it will be large items which cannot be carried as hand luggage. I.e. if you bought a new large suitcase or as per the website, items which would be restricted as hand luggage.

Have seen a guy pull out a whole small suitcase full of clothes from Myer before for inspection

 

[JohnK]

Went through SYD TRS over 4 weeks ago. Bought a tablet. They were asking people to put receipts into a self addressed envelope and place into a barrel.

It would appear refund has not yet been processed.

 

[Steveinparadise]

Has anyone claimed a TRS (Tourist Refund Scheme) refund at SYD international lately? I would be interested to know how long it is taking to submit a claim these days.

I am travelling from BNE to HKG and on to Europe on Monday. Unfortunately Qantas cancelled the direct service and I am having to fly dom to SYD and have 1 hour 40 mins before my SYD/HKG flight departs, in which to change terminals and (hopefully!) claim TRS.

Complicating the claim is that one of my purchases is a drone, which I will have to pack in my checked bag as my onward flight fm HKG is with Emirates. There is no pre-check-in inspection facility at BNE domestic, and I will not be able to show the drone at the TRS desk in SYD as it will be in checked baggage.

 

[Daver6]

Has anyone claimed a TRS (Tourist Refund Scheme) refund at SYD international lately? I would be interested to know how long it is taking to submit a claim these days.

I am travelling from BNE to HKG and on to Europe on Monday. Unfortunately Qantas cancelled the direct service and I am having to fly dom to SYD and have 1 hour 40 mins before my SYD/HKG flight departs, in which to change terminals and (hopefully!) claim TRS.

Complicating the claim is that one of my purchases is a drone, which I will have to pack in my checked bag as my onward flight fm HKG is with Emirates. There is no pre-check-in inspection facility at BNE domestic, and I will not be able to show the drone at the TRS desk in SYD as it will be in checked baggage.

Few weeks ago on the Thursday before Good Friday at around 8:20am the queue was a good 30 minutes. There was no separate queue for pre-filled claims.

Do EK have a requirement that you can't take a drone as carry on? My drone as always traveled as carry on due to the batteries. Never had an issue, but never flown EK either.

 

[kpc]

The Qs at TRS at Sydney in the early to mid morning can be horrendous...plan to Q for at least 30 minutes even using the App!

 

[Steveinparadise]

Thanks kpc and Daver6 for your updates. I was hoping that they may still be using the drop box for when the queues are too long, but it doesn't sound like it. It will be around 9am Monday morning, so I will just have to take pot luck with the queue.

Regarding drones Daver6, mine has removable lithium batteries, which of course have to be taken in carry on luggage. The drone itself is subject to different rules by different airlines - Emirates won't accept it in carry on bags but will accept it in checked luggage. Qatar (with whom I am flying back from Europe) only accept it in carry on bags but not checked bags. Both airlines' websites state this is for safety reasons. Go figure.

Qantas do not seem to have a clear policy on drones on their website.

 

[p--and--t]

In August last year I departed through BNE international to HKG on Qantas.

(I had used the app the register my claim)

I went to the TRS counter and there was a huge snaking queue of what seemed to be Chinese tourists with boxes and boxes of "stuff" that would take ages to clear.

An officer was wandering around and asking Australian residents not to queue and to fill out a declaration form and drop it in the provided boxes.

The money was in my account about 72 hours later.

It is my understanding that there have been some rule changes (could be wrong) that allow certain claimed items to be in checked luggage

 

[p--and--t]

From TRS site

As you leave the country, you must wear or carry the goods as hand luggage with you, unless the goods are oversized goods or liquids, aerosols and gels restricted to hold luggage for security reasons.

On some occasions, live claim processing is not available. You will be asked to complete a 'GST and WET Refund' form and lodge the original tax invoices so that the claim can be processed after the flight has departed. The tax invoices will be returned to you after the claim is processed. Keep the pink copy of your completed form for your records. You may also wish to retain a copy of the tax invoices.

In addition, tax invoices for sales of AUD1000 or more must include the buyer's identity, for example their name or passport number.

Original tax invoices are required to process your claim. Photocopies will not be accepted and will result in that portion of your claim being rejected.