Notes from travelers. Duty free: what is it?

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Wonderful words "Duty Free" for avid travelers is something like a magic spell. Most of all, this concept is familiar to people who often travel by plane. Now we will talk about duty free shops, what they are and why, being at the airport, you should definitely visit at least some of them.

Goods that arrive at duty-free stores are not subject to any duties and taxes. This is due to the fact that formally the purchase and sale of goods is carried out outside state borders. And this means that in duty free you can buy almost anything your heart desires, paying for it an amount much less than in stores.

What can you buy in duty free? What is it and what products are most popular? Most often in shops at airports you can find tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, amusing souvenirs and toys, high-quality perfumes and cosmetics. There are even accessories and clothing brands with a worldwide reputation! However, traditionally, it is cigarettes and alcohol from duty free that cause the greatest excitement. There is a simple explanation for this:almost everywhere, except for duty-free shops, these groups of goods are subject to the highest taxes. Compared to prices in shops in the city, their cost at the airport can be 40-50% lower.

However, speaking of duty-free, what it is, and what are the advantages of buying goods at such points, it is important to note one fact: you can buy something in them only if you have passport, as well as a boarding pass, which confirm that you are leaving the country or have just arrived at the airport.

Depending on the country and the specific city, the range and cost of products can vary greatly. So, one of the richest cities in this regard is Dubai. However, the difference is not only this: in every Duty Free store there are some restrictions on the purchase of goods of one kind or another, or rather on their import and export from the state. In practice, it looks like this: for example, when departing from Turkey, tourists can take no more than 8 liters of whiskey with them.

How much does this or that product cost in duty-free? As mentioned above, this largely depends on the country where you are. Traditionally, the most expensive stores can be found in Sweden, Belgium, Great Britain and France. But in Spain, Italy or Bulgaria prices are much lower. The United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Egypt can boast of the most attractive prices, however, the quality of products in these countries is somewhat lower.

Now you know more about duty-fries. What it is, and how you can save on purchases, you understand. Finally, it is worth mentioning what goods are traditionally purchased in different countries. For example, guests of Goa, instead of ordinary alcoholic drinks, almost always tend to buy exotic local feni moonshine made with apples, coconuts and cashews. And, say, in the Viennese "dutik" you can perfectly buy in boutiques like "Etro", "Boss", "Burberry", etc.

Alcohol in Duty Free stores is about 2 times cheaper. This is especially true for strong drinks such as cognac, rum and whiskey. But if we are talking about cosmetics and perfumes, then at a cost they are not much cheaper than those that can be bought in stores. However, in terms of quality, they are several times higher. Approximately 10-15% cheaper in duty-free shops are jewelry, as well as bijouterie. In particular, this applies to fashionable Swarovski luxury jewelry.