TRS Sydney - Expect Delays

bozbargain on 03/10/2019 - 11:13

Came nicely prepared to the TRS office at Sydney airport this morning and was surprised by the complete chaos. At least 80 people in one big line and very rude, unprofessional and ignorant staff/border police. There was no dedicated line for QR code lodgements, everyone had to queue up and tourists were being shouted at ‘why don’t you have the app’, ‘download the app’ etc. There is no clear signage for tourists and non-English speakers (shouldn’t be that hard to have this made clear at the start of the line), some people had no idea what app to download. The funny thing was they have the big (A4 sized) QR codes at the desks (with no additional instructions) but people who tried to scan these (assuming that would bring up the app in the App Store) were shouted at - ‘no photos here’. The staff had no idea what the QR code signage was actually for! Next in line to me, a friendly tourist asked me for help, I couldn’t even find the TRS app in her Google Play store (so TRS may not even have the app available in all countries).

So if you’re travelling this school holidays, allow at least 45 mins to spend queuing up at the TRS and please help out a lost tourist or two while you’re queuing since our government clearly lets people down in this process.

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Comments

  • Skramit on 03/10/2019 - 11:18
    +5

    allow at least 45 mins to spend queuing up at the TRS

    Every time I've traveled and claimed TRS, this is pretty much the norm.

    EDIT: out of interest do you declare the goods when re-entering the country?

    • bozbargain on 03/10/2019 - 11:37

      You only have to declare items re-entering the country above a certain value. I have never seen 80 or so people queued up here. It’s a miracle it only took 45 mins. Luckily most people did have the app and then you can be done within 2 mins.

  • ronnknee on 03/10/2019 - 11:36
    +1

    At least 80 people in one big line and very rude, unprofessional and ignorant staff/border police.

    So a typical day at the airport.

    • bozbargain on 03/10/2019 - 11:40

      I find most staff at the airport, including security and border police to be polite. Just not (half of) those at the TRS office - they must really hate their jobs.

      • Skramit on 03/10/2019 - 11:54
        +7

        Having to deal with non-english speaking tourists who want to claim 45 receipts each from their 6 week holiday…… I would hate my job too.

  • one man clan on 03/10/2019 - 11:54
    +2

    Yeah they are pretty rude at TRS. Seems like a horrible job and always understaffed. Not sure why they tell you to use the app then rouse on everyone for using their phones. Not like the TRS counter has top secret intelligence material anyway

  • L0zBargain on 03/10/2019 - 12:52

    They have no incentive to process your refund. Better if you have to rush to your flight and keep your tax 😁

    I've regularly waited hours here. I wonder each time if it's worth it… But then I'm back at it again next time! What a sucker

  • Nutrino on 03/10/2019 - 14:30

    I been there, done that in sydney. funny to watch, the attendent was mostly agro at ahem… Asians mainly and foreigner who didnt speak english well. Got up to me. Said gday mate, got all my details loaded in app, docs in hand, and she let me thru. Then i continued to watch the chaos behind me.

  • ilikeradiohead on 04/10/2019 - 05:45
    +1

    In 2013 I waited in line for an hour at the TRS line in Sydney airport then had to give up because my flight was boarding. I am still bitter about it. I hate Sydney airport. I've never had an issue at Perth airport.

  • sitdowndisco on 11/10/2019 - 00:53

    I'm usually treated pretty well there. But if you're Asian, there's a good chance you're going to be shouted at by the staff. One guy in particular treats people like animals because he's frustrated at the lines, the chaos and peoples general lack of understanding how the system works. TRS in Sydney is really bad…

  • blutek on 16/10/2019 - 13:19

    Last time we used the TRS for checked luggage claim office. No line at all. Not looking forward to the regular claim counter next trip.

    • LarraineP on 15/12/2019 - 18:51

      What is the TRS for checked luggage claim office? How do I get on it :)

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