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Duty Free

Duty free items taken through screening are subject to the same rules as other liquids, aerosols and gels.

Flying out of Australia

At many Australian airports you will be able to purchase and collect duty free items after you have passed through screening for your international flight. Further restrictions will apply if travelling to the U.S.A. or Canada. Please check with your airline for further details.

Transit stops

No duty free items will be permitted to be taken through an international transit screening point in Australia. For example: A passenger travelling on a flight from Singapore to Sydney via Brisbane would be required to undertake security screening at Brisbane airport. Any oversized liquid, aerosol or gel items the passenger has on their person, (including duty free) would be required to be surrendered before passing through the security screening point to reboard their flight and continue on to Sydney. Similar rules are in place at airports internationally. You should check with your airline for specifics about the rules in effect at your transit stops.

Flying into Australia

Duty free in checked-in baggage

Liquid, aerosol and gel duty free items purchased overseas may be packed into check-in baggage if you have this opportunity. Checked-in baggage is not subject to liquid, aerosol and gel restrictions.

For example if you were spending two days in Singapore, you would be able to purchase duty free in Dubai. You would then pack your duty free in your check-in baggage before checking in for your flight from Singapore to Australia.

Direct flights from the United States

Provided you have no other international transits before arriving in Australia, you may purchase duty free liquid, aerosols and gels once you have passed through the security screening point at the last United States airport you travel through. You may then carry these items on board the plane.

You may also purchase liquid, aerosol and gel duty free items on board an aircraft.

If you transit in any other country before arriving in Australia, you will be re-screened at the transit departure gate for liquids aerosols and gels. You will be asked to surrender any items over 100ml, including duty free purchased in the United States.

Further, if you are transiting through an Australian international airport, these items can not be taken through the screening point. Alternatively, you may purchase liquid, aerosol and gel duty free items at inbound duty free stores at your final destination

Direct flights from New Zealand

For return flights from the New Zealand you may purchase duty free liquid, aerosols and gels once you have passed through the security screening point. You may then carry these items on board the plane.

You may also purchase liquid, aerosol and gel duty free items on board an aircraft.

Please remember, however, if you are transiting through an Australian international airport, these items can not be taken through the screening point. Alternatively, you may purchase liquid, aerosol and gel duty free items at inbound duty free stores at your final destination.

Direct flights from Thailand and South Africa

Some airlines travelling out of Thailand and South Africa have imposed a complete ban on duty free liquids, aerosols and gels for flights to Australia. It is advised that you contact your airline to see if this will apply to you.

Direct flights from all other countries

For return flights to Australia, you may carry duty free liquid, aerosol and gel purchases on board if they are delivered to the departure gate at the last international airport you travel through in a sealed bag with proof of purchase and collected after you have proceeded through security screening. The application of these procedures may vary from airport to airport and you are advised to check specifics with your airline.

You may also purchase liquid, aerosol and gel duty free items on board an aircraft during the final leg of your international journey.

Inbound Duty Free stores

In all cases duty free may be purchased at inbound duty free stores when you land at your final destination in Australia, just prior to clearing customs and collecting your baggage.

Off-airport duty free

Liquid, aerosol and gel duty free items

Purchases made at duty free outlets off airports are treated differently from those made at airports. This process has changed in response to new security measures around the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on baggage.

The "Docket plucking" for duty and tax free liquid, aerosol and gel purchases made at off airport duty and tax free stores may now be undertaken landside so that you can pack these items in your hold baggage. The off airport duty or tax free store should pack your liquid, aerosol and gel purchases in a sealed bag separate from non liquid, aerosol and gel purchases when you make your purchase.

You should ensure your sealed bag containing liquid, aerosol and gel duty and tax free items is packed securely in your hold baggage prior to reaching the airline check-in counter. You should have plucked the docket off the sealed bag prior to packing these items. You should be ready to hand in the docket to Duty Free Security Company staff at the airport.

Once you have passed through the passport control point you must hand your docket to Duty Free Security Company staff as you usually would. Duty Free Security Company staff will check that these dockets only apply to liquid, aerosol and gel items.

Non liquid, aerosol and gel duty free items

Current processes still apply, and docket plucking of sealed bag non-liquid, aerosol and gel items will continue to occur after the Customs outwards control point. You should confirm these arrangements with your off airport duty free retailer.

Can I still access the Tourism Refund Scheme (TRS)

The Tourism Refund Scheme (TRS) is managed by the Australian Customs Service, and information regarding claiming a GST refund under the TRS scheme is available by contacting the

TRS Information Hotline on 1300 555 043 or the
Customs Information and Support Centre on 1300 363 263