Duty Free

You may choose to buy duty free (tax free) products on the way out of the country. In you home country you can purchase duty free either at the airport or in designated shops in the downtown areas of major cities. You may chose to purchase at the airport as you arrive at your destination. Duty free shopping is cheaper than retail in many products and countries. This is because the import duty or tax is not charged because technically the goods do not come into the country. If you purchase the products downtown, they will be sealed. When you get to the airport, a customs official will want to see the goods. They will check the seal and take the extra receipt as you pass by immigration (in most countries). In some countries, there are other practices which will be clearly communicated at the airport.

The country you plan to take/bring the goods into will have limits. These are in the form of both quantity limits for things like alcohol and cigarettes. Secondly there are currency limits on the total value of the goods you are allowed to bring/take into a given country. The airline website, your travel agent, the duty free store or the website of the country you plan to take the goods into should be relied on to clearly state this. DO not rely on the duty free sales assistant who may not be familiar with all destinations. You are not allowed to bring goods in that exceed the limits. In the case of quantity limits, the goods will be confiscated from you if you are caught. In the case of value limits, import duty on the combined value of your goods will be charged for the amount that exceeds the limit.

The discounts are not as good as they used to be. This is because import taxes are not as high as they used to be. However the discounts can be worthwhile in some product categories.

Some countries now have a service whereby you can order and pay for the goods via telephone or internet for pick up as you depart the country. This will be either just past immigration or as you board the aircraft. Alternatively you can collect them as you return. This saves you from having to carry the goods on your journey. You will need the receipt/s for collection. Remember, passing the limits can lead to confiscation of items above the limit. Passing the limits in the case of one item (eg an expensive watch) will mean duty is payable at immigration on your return.