TRS....A curly one ?

[bertair]

I am sick of having my baggage damaged by handlers and airport equipment. So I am considering an expensive ROWA (over $A600) polycarbonate suitcase.
Now as I am flying out on my next trip overseas in less than one month, I am eligible for the TRS, but if I pack the suitcase and check it in, then go through immigration as usual, and I go to the TRS counter with receipts boarding pass etc, how can I then show the staff that I have the suitcase as it will have been checked through at check in. Has anyone found a way to get their Sales Tax(GST) refund under similar circumstance to mine ?
No one call give me a definitive answer on the phone from the contact number given me for the TRS Enquiries Section.

 

[Blackadder]

Their are cheaper Polycarbonate suitcase on the market (ie Samsonite range,etc), that stand the worse the baggage handlers can throw at them.
Remember price does not always equal best quality.

 

[bertair]

Thanks for the advice, but it wasn't product advice I was after, it is related to the Australian TRS and how to claim. Please read my question again
Thanks

 

[simongr]

The only guidance I can give is that the signs in the TRS and the TRS website state explicitly that that you must present the goods unless the airline requires you to check the item. Given that the case will be too big for hand luggage you could argue that you are required to check the item - I do not know if the TRS guys will buy that...

Personally as this will only save $50-$60 on a $600+ item I would try it on with TRS and if you don't then just Chilean wine overseas rather than Australian as it might cheaper

 

[Joshua]

You can have an item documented prior. It is something I haven't done but others might have experience with. A similar process is done for people taking specialised equipment in and out the country as proof they purchased it locally / does not need to be taxed. In those cases you would need to go to the customs offices in the business end of the airport well prior to checking in. Whether it's worth your time is another issue but I understand the desire for good luggage.

But reading the TRS site, it does seem to explicitly *exclude* "goods which fail to meet airline cabin-size or ship hand luggage restrictions" so you might be out of luck.

 

[Blackadder]

Just saying you don't have to spend that much money to get a decent product, hence no need to worry about how to claim TRS.
If you insist on going that route, you will be unable to claim TRS on two fronts as far as I can tell from Advice for travellers

1. The goods must be in your possesion, unless prohibited by aviation security measures, effective from 31 March 2007.

2. Goods which fail to meet airline cabin-size or ship hand luggage restrictions

 

[burrco]

I know that your question is strictly about the TRS - but that appears to have been sort of answered - so to go off topic a bit: I assume you have priced the luggage overseas?

I've never heard of ROWA (do you mean Rimowa?) but most brands can normally be purchased for savings much greater than any GST savings through the TRS. Of course this does depend on where you're going.

 

[gumpy]

This sorta thing surprises me a little.

I use an el cheapo lanza bag and the thing has lasted me over 70 flights all checked in...

looks like it has got another 6-12 months left in it to be honest... it's not the hard shell type however...

the locks on the other hand I go through one every 4 months... they just don't seem to handle the abuse very well..

 

[acoolbreeze]

I see you are in NSW so I'm not sure where exactly it is in Syd, but in Melbourne there is a Customs office/counter (on the ground floor in arrivals strangely) where before checking in any bulky goods can be seen by a Customs officer. Your reciept is then stamped as 'goods sighted' and you can check in.
You then simply go to the TRS counter with your stamped reciept to claim your refund.