Most major international airports’ post-security departure areas now resemble retail malls rather than transit hubs. Before you arrive to your departure gate, you may have to walk a considerable distance past a meandering duty-free shopping area.
While duty-free retailers tout their wares as bargains, the truth is that many of them aren’t. New research from us clarifies this often-muddled shopping system by identifying which international airports are better for particular duty-free items. More on that below, but first there are some general basics you need to know.
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What is duty-free?
You’ve probably seen the brilliantly illuminated consumer utopia of a duty free shop if you’ve ever travelled internationally (or gone through an international terminal).
But, what exactly is a duty free store? These are stores that sell a wide range of products that do not include a “duty” (a local import tax or levy imposed on goods by government bodies). Travelers can save money on booze, tobacco, fragrances, cosmetics, luxury items, confectionery, and other items by purchasing them in a duty free shop.
Note: When flying internationally and buying duty-free (a great way to spend the time on an airport layover), the cashier will ask to check your boarding pass to confirm your departure from the country. Duty-free shopping is available to travelers leaving the United States for at least 48 hours.
Duty Free Shopping Tips – Hacks
It doesn’t mean it’s a good deal just because it’s duty-free. Here’s how to get the most out of your duty-free shopping.
Duty-free shopping is no longer what it once was. The price of Tim Tams in duty-free is frequently in the news, with a single package costing $11 in comparison to $4 at Coles or Woolies.
Read on for our ultimate duty free shopping hacks for stress-free and well-planned shopping on your next trip. The following are 8 things you should know about Duty Free shopping tips that we believe will assist you in efficiently planning your shopping.
1. Know What You Want
Make a list of what you’d like to buy duty-free, even if it seems apparent. We’re a captive audience at the airport, and duty free shop is frequently where we pass the time. You won’t get sidetracked and add anything you don’t need to your basket if you stick to a list.
2. Compare
We enjoy finding the best deal, thus we take comparing the thing I’m looking for very seriously. Begin by comparing online and in-store costs from the comfort of your own home. Also, take images with your phone to help you recall prices at different stores. Once duty-free, double-check the item’s duty free prices. Compare them all and buy the lowest one, even if that means picking it up after my trip to Chemist Warehouse.
3. Stock Up On Booze
Duty-free means there are no local taxes or value-added taxes (VAT), thus buying things that generally draw the highest taxes, such as beer and cigarettes, is worthwhile. If you’re out of your favorite drink and see it for a lower price somewhere else, get it. Simply inquire about the logistics of getting it onboard your aircraft, taking into account the liquids limitations.
When you return to Australia, you are allowed to bring 2.25 liters of alcohol with you. That includes both duty-free and baggage.
4. Size Up
The bigger the value, the larger the thing. If you’re comparing perfumes, skincare products, or alcohol that come in different sizes, make sure to consider the larger size’s pricing as well. The ‘unit price,’ which is the price per milliliter or gram, is displayed on some products. If you can afford it, go for the larger size to get the best deal.
5. Ask For Samples At The Beauty Counter (With A Smile)
Frequently, there are leftover samples from past promotions collecting dust. These can also be useful travel-sized items. You can jog the floor staff’s memory even if it isn’t top of mind for them. Try your luck if you’re thinking of buying a beauty product or perfume (and you’ve been a loyal customer). They might throw in a few extras to sweeten the deal.
6. Buy The Unique
If you come across anything truly one-of-a-kind or limited-edition that you simply must have, do not hesitate to purchase it. Certain products will be released in other countries long before they arrive in Australia, if they arrive at all.
Duty-free is also referred to as the “sixth continent” by brands, who use unique deals to entice clients. This is especially true for cosmetics companies, which frequently sell limited-edition travel or tiny versions of their products in airports. It’s always worth Googling to see if the price is reasonable before handing over your card if you have Wi-Fi.
7. Skip The Souvenirs
Unless you’re in a hurry and have completely forgotten a souvenir, it’s preferable to buy these before your trip at a local market outside of the airport.
8. Ask About Special Offers
It’s best to constantly ask before making any decisions because the personnel may not be transparent about any bargains. After a particular amount of money has been spent, you may be eligible for a discount or a free gift.
The Basics of Duty Free Shopping
1. The “duty,” or, more precisely, “tax,” that you avoid when buying duty-free abroad is the tax in effect where the airport is located. You won’t be able to avoid paying a U.S. import duty, which is usually relatively minimal on most things. The major tax is usually a value-added tax (VAT), however depending on the region, a local import tax may be included.
2. The state and local sales taxes, as well as the federal excise tax, that apply to specific products, are the taxes you avoid while shopping duty-free in the United States.
3. Airport duty-free stores do not merely remove the tax off things; they duty free prices them to be competitive in their local market. However, because the stores must cover normal retail expenses as well as pay a hefty royalty to the airport, markups remain substantial.
4. When returning to the United States after a trip abroad, the best deals are usually limited to items that are subject to either a high U.S. excise tax or strict manufacturer pricing limits. That means the finest deals are usually found in booze, tobacco, cosmetics, and fragrances.
5. Cameras, watches, and other electronics are virtually always cheaper online via sites like Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, or Walmart than at any duty free shop, despite the fact that they’re frequently available while duty-free shopping.
6. While other countries allow overseas tourists to shop in duty-free stores before leaving the airport, the United States does not. Duty-free shopping is only available to returning Americans at foreign departure airports.
7. For U.S. travelers, liquor is perhaps the most common duty-free purchase. TSA regulations allow visitors to bring liter bottles into the nation as an extra carry-on even on connecting domestic flights, as long as they’re packaged in tamper-evident bags provided by duty-free shops.
8. Most overseas nations allow returning US citizens to bring back one liter of duty-free alcohol and a limit of 1,000 cigarettes or 100 cigars. Some states impose tighter restrictions on the import of liquor and tobacco than federal restrictions. According to US Customs and Border Patrol, “states may allow you to bring back more than one liter, but you will have to pay any applicable Customs duty and IRT.”
The Best Places for Duty Free Shopping
If despite all of this, you still want to do some duty-free shopping, some locations are better than others. Tripononline rated major international airports in order of best duty free prices for popular items:
- Overall: Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Grand Cayman
- Cosmetics: London (Heathrow), Dubai, Vienna.
- Fragrance: Madrid, Porto, London (Heathrow).
- Liquor: Kiev, Madrid, Grand Cayman
- Tobacco: Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok.
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FAQ’s About Things You Should Know About Duty Free Shopping Hacks
Is duty-free overpriced?
Although duty-free items are often priced competitively for the worldwide market, it’s still conceivable that some items are priced higher than the tax-inclusive price at home, so double-check before buying.
Are duty-free shops really duty-free?
Only the taxes and fees levied by the country you’re flying out of are waived when you shop at a duty-free shop. You may still be required to pay customs taxes when importing those high-end items into your home country.
Do you buy duty-free before your flight or after?
While other countries allow overseas tourists to shop in duty-free stores before leaving the airport, the United States does not. Duty-free shopping is only available to returning Americans at foreign departure airports. For American vacationers, liquor is perhaps the most common duty-free purchase.
Is chocolate cheaper in duty-free?
Duty-free products are on average 17% more expensive than online merchants, according to a study by personal finance comparison site finder.com, with snacks being the most overpriced category of goods. According to the study, chocolate and sweets were 67 % more expensive in duty-free shops.
How many bottles are you allowed from duty free?
Instead, new global restrictions will apply to items imported into the United Kingdom. For alcohol and cigarettes, the government guarantees “one of the most generous allowances anywhere in the world.” Beer will be limited to 42 liters, still wine to 18 liters, and either 4 liters of spirits or 9 liters of sparkling wine.
Tell Us In The Comments About One Of Your Favorite Duty Free Shopping Tips!
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