Duty Free Syndrome

Almost all travel lovers are united with one more love. Love to Duty Free shops.

What does that name mean? A "duty" refers to a tax or fee placed on goods by government entities. Merchants who import goods and sell them to consumers who are leaving their country aren't charged a duty on these products. This allows sellers to pass the savings along to their customers, giving savvy shoppers the opportunity to grab fantastic merchandise at bargain prices.
Duty-free shopping allows you to score fabulous deals on cosmetics, fragrances, dinnerware, jewellery, watches, children's items, chocolates, candy, cigarettes, liquor and more. Most consumers prefer to buy here cigarettes and alcohol. Why? These two groups of products are taxed at the highest rate everywhere except for duty free shops. You can easily save 50% in comparison with city shops.
But the main feature of duty free shops is that they are accessible only for those who have ticket and passport confirming that they’re coming in the country or leaving it.

Various duty free shops

It’s obvious that assortment of duty free shops in different countries vary. For example, duty free in Singapore, Dubai and Barcelona offer exclusive goods of the most famous brands, as well as Egyptian and Croatian duty free shops look more modest and do not boast such a luxuriant assortment.
In Dubai airport shops operate 24 hour a day in all three terminals; you can find here anything – from beverages and tobacco products to jewels of famous brands and books. The economy is up to 50%.
But the difference between shops is not only in the assortment. All countries have their own restrictions for import and export of goods. E.g. you may export from Turkey up to 8 L of whiskey and import less than 5 L of wine or strong alcoholic beverages.
The most expensive duty free shops are located in Great Britain, Sweden, France, and Belgium. Prices are more democratic in Italy, Spain, and Bulgaria. Much more interesting offers wait for you in UAE. Prices are low in Turkey and Egypt, but quality of goods is not the highest. Prices in Hurgada’s duty free are equal to Moscow shops: e.g. you can purchase here elite perfume at price of about $53.
Indian duty free shops differ a little bit from others by their assortment and prices. It’s because of restrictions for export from Indian airports: you should not buy fell of tiger and wild animals, bird feather, leather and goods made of rare reptiles leather, plants, gold and silver in bars, period pieces and antiques made more than hundred years ago, jewels cost more than 2000 Rupees, except for goods bought in a duty free shop. While souvenirs in other countries are more expensive in duty free shops, in Goa it’s the only place to purchase any souvenir.
Another one feature of Goan duty free is that you do not need to buy any beverages here coming in the country as it’s much cheaper to buy local alcoholic drink “feni” made of apple, cashew and coconut. Fine Portugal wine and black rum are widely spread in Goa and cost $1-2 per bottle.
Also experienced people recommend duty free shops in Bangkok and Japan.
European shops are conservative as Europe: duty free shops are closed from late evening till morning. The largest duty free shop in Europe is located in Frankfurt. In Vienna’s shop you can advantageously purchase some things of famous brands like Boss, Berberry and Etro. If you happen to visit Greece or Italy do not buy olive oil or paste in a duty free shop as in such shops these groups of goods are much more expensive than in city shops.
Duty free shops can be located in airports, airplanes, on Scandinavian cruise ships: duty free area commonly occupies up to a half of the giant ship’s deck.
One more important thing: prices at European duty free are in Euro, dollars and local currency. But it will be more advantageous for Russia’s citizens to buy goods in those countries where dollar is the main currency in duty free shops (USA, Canada, India, Korea, China) as exchange-value of ruble against dollar lower than against euro.

Duty free areas

We should speak not only about duty free shops but also about duty free towns and even countries. E.g. Andorra after the 2d World War was declared the duty free area. In its capital’s shops you can buy domestic machines, wine, perfume, cosmetics and clocks at a rate of duty free shops. There is a similar town in Italy, its name is Livigno. It’s located close to the Austrian and Swiss border. Two central streets boast shops of designer’s and sport clothes, cosmetics and perfume, domestic machines, beverages and cigarettes.

Goods to be bought in duty free shops

Beverages are twice cheaper in duty free shops than in cities; especially strong alcoholic beverages like whiskey, cognac, rum.
Cigarettes’ cost is equal to supermarkets.
Perfume and cosmetics are cheaper but not too much, and quality is better than in ordinary shops.
Jewels are 10-15% cheaper. Especially pay your attention to Swarovski bijoux.

18.02.10

Tour-Life.com