Heading online or into the shops to grab one of Apple's new iPads, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro laptops, and also heading overseas in the coming month?

You can shave 10% off the cost of your iDevice by using the Tourist Refund Scheme (or TRS) to get a rebate on the GST component of the iPad's price tag at any Australian international airport.

That means putting anywhere from $54 to $90 back in your pocket, depending on which iPad 2 you buy – from the cheapest Wi-Fi 16GB iPad (which retails at $539) to the flagship 4G/WiFi 64GB model with its $899 price tag.

Likewise, at $1,099 for the entry-level MacBook Air you'll get back almost $100 – and close to $300 for the flagship 15 inch MacBook Pro with its 'Retina' display.

It's the next best thing to getting a 10% discount at the cash register.

The TSR rebate also applies to any accessories you buy from Apple at the same time, provided they appear on the same invoice. This is a neat way of getting around the rebate's $300 minimum purchase limit for lower-priced items like covers and other accessories.

And of course, it applies to laptops and tabets from other manufacturers too!

Here's what you need to know to score the TRS refund on your new kit.

1. The device has to be bought within 30 days of your departure from Australia. Leave on the 31st day and you'll miss out. If you've got a trip planned for the next four weeks you're in the clear to go shopping tomorrow.

2. If you spend over $1,000 your name and address must be on the invoice. This is not normal practice at many stores so don't be caught out.

3. All the gear you wish to claim a rebate on must be packed as carry-on baggage. You can’t stow them in your checked luggage. That's because you need to present the gear at the airport TRS office.

The TRS refund offices are located past customs at the airport (called ‘airside’, in travelgeek-speak) so you’ll need to check in for your flight and make your way through customs before heading to the TSR refund office. There can be a bit of a queue so allow plenty of time – get to the airport extra-early and make the TRS office your first call, even before you hit the lounge.

Show the TRS officers your gear and your invoice, and hand over your credit card or bank account details so the 10% GST can be refunded (you can also ask for a cheque, but that can take three weeks to be processed and posted to you).

Here’s where we have to sound a caveat. The TRS is intended for products that are not coming back into Australia. In the case of locals this usually means you’ve bought a gift for family, friends or colleagues overseas.

For more on the TRS rebate scheme, visit the Customs.gov.au site or download this PDF.