Tax back at the airport:

 

Every country is different in terms of procedure for tax back, but the following applies to taking goods out of Australia…

 

Any purchase over $300 on a single receipt (you can have 10 items totaling $301, doesn’t matter as long at the receipt total is over $300) is eligible for tax back at the airport. Tax is calculated at 9.09% of the total amount. The receipt needs to be within 30 days prior to travel (you can even use the goods until you leave).

 

There is a lot of money to be saved if you are buying boards etc… It doesn’t matter if the board was purchased at half price; you still get your tax back.

 

This applies to ANY goods bought in Australia.

 

What you need:

 

- A normal tax receipt with goods listed, totaling $300 or more on the one receipt. The date on the receipt must be 30 days or less to the date of departure.

 

 - The goods.

 

- Your passport.

 

That’s it.

 

How to claim it:

 

It is very easy and doesn’t take more than a few minutes.

 

- If the goods are small and being carried in your hand luggage (carry on), you go through security and immigration as normal. As you pass immigration just follow the signs to the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). It is usually right there on the way to your departure gate. Pop in, show the receipt and the goods, and they will credit the tax straight onto your credit card or into your bank account (if you want it into your bank account you need your account number and BSB handy).

 

 - If the goods are large and in your checked luggage (boards, boots etc…), you need to have the good sighted by Customs prior to checking in your luggage. As you get to the airport, go straight to Customs Client Services and show them the goods and receipt. They do a very quick inspection to make sure you have the goods and they stamp the receipt that it’s been checked. Check your bags in as usual. As you pass immigration just follow the signs to the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). It is usually right there on the way to your departure gate. Pop in, show the receipt and they will credit the tax straight onto your credit card or into your bank account (if you want it into your bank account you need your account number and BSB handy).

 

Problems, and ways around it:

 

Just say it’s end of season in Australia, there are good sales and you want to buy a sale board for overseas travel in a few months. You want to buy it now because sale boards are selling quickly. How do you purchase the board now and still get your tax back?

 

Easy… put your gear on lay by. That way you have secured all your equipment at the sale price, you have a few months pay it all off, and you get your tax back. As long as the final payment is made within 30 days of travel, the final receipt will have the date of final payment, meaning you’re all good! This way as well, you can keep adding on little items to your lay by and pay it all off at the final payment, so you get your tax back on everything.