Is it better to buy apple products from duty free? I am not keen on waiting in line for the VAT refund. Is there a way to see what's available at the airport duty free stores?
Is It Better to Buy Apple Products from Duty Free Rather than Get VAT Refund?
Vhope07 on 18/12/2021 - 09:23
Last edited 18/12/2021 - 10:55 by 1 other user
Last edited 18/12/2021 - 10:55 by 1 other user
Comments
Pre fill in the TRS app and you only need to show them the QR code.
Airport shop prices are rarely, if ever, the best prices on any product, with the exception of alcohol. The only reason alcohol is cheap is the removal of excise, iirc.
Nope, they got wise to that. Compare Dan Murphy's to the tax free alcohol, it's Mr Price Jack all the way.
Even when flying back from OS, I always price check with Dan's website to see if it's worthwhile carrying back.
Dans is often cheaper than MR Jack at the airport
It depends on where you are going, the exchange rate and the price here.
If you use apple higher education here + GST refund it could be good here. Just be wary that if you do that and return there is a rare chance they could check your items. Maybe even higher now as fewer inbound travellers.
If you are going to a US state where there is no sales tax, you could buy one there as a "student" and get an even better deal based on the exchange rate and prices etc.
VAT? you mean GST?
Most electronics in airport duty free is outrageously priced right now - saw this first hand 2 weeks ago at Sydney.
Wouldn't be surprised if it's jacked up a bit at the airport even if -minus GST.
No tourists in AUS anyways so TRS lines will be short as well.Assuming you mean GST and the TRS (tourist refund scheme). I did this at the Sydney airport on Thursday, around lunch time. There was no queue, and I was all done in about two minutes. As others have mentioned, make sure go to the TRS website and generate a QR code. That makes it really easy.
And yeah for everything except tobacco, you are usually going to find a much better deal at a retail shop than duty free.
It does depend on what Apple product you're buying as you need to present the item to the TRS officer. iPad/iPhone/MacBook no issue. A new iMac or larger item would be more of an issue.
thanks for the responses. You are, indeed, correct. Products at duty free are more expensive than retail. glad to learn something.
The only advantage is, I can pay more for the product and use it straight away. Some items, like the iphone 13, need to be ordered online and take a while to arrive in the mail.
Was at Syd airport last week - there is no VAT line as there are barely any tourists leaving. And you can pre-fill using the TRS app.