Dear DiningBuzz Brains Trust , I'd like to pull together our combined knowledge, tips and traps in duty free - especially the drinks retailing.
Would you mind adding your own favourite Duty Free info below?
I'll save this and the next message for an index and updates.
Thanks to MissyDarlin for your attention, too.
Please report the rip-offs, too. Note SIN is jacking up prices.
Off-airport
Borders
Arizona-Mexico border. Organ Pipes NP - Bacardi 151 proof $10
Maybe cruises are the best source for drinks deals.
Special Offers
Any bogof offers? July specials at your airport / off-airport 'duty free'? DEL offers including bogof or b2gof (thanks Raffles longhaul!)
This could include an index or link to carryon restrictions, strange rules peculiar to airports re security such as those which may be traps for unwary DF buyers.
Allowances:
Country Spirits Wine Cigarettes/Tobacco
Bali 1 Ltr or 1Ltr 200 or 100g
Canada 1.1 Ltr or 1.1 Ltrs 200 or 200g
China 1.5 Ltr or 1.5 Ltrs 400 -
Cook Islands 2 Ltrs or 2 Ltrs 200 or 500g
Fiji 2 Ltrs or 4 Ltrs 250 or 250g
Hong Kong 1 Ltr or 1 Ltr 60 (or 15 cigars) or 75g
[Edit: HK: No duty on wine any more!]
Indonesia 1 Ltr or 1 Ltr 200 or 100g
Japan 3 x 750ml 400 or 250g
Korea 1 Ltr or 1 Ltr 400 or 500g
Singapore 1 Ltr and 1 Ltr none none
Samoa 1 Ltr or 1 Ltr 200 or 250g
Tonga 2.25 Ltrs or 4.5 Ltrs 400 or 500g
United Kingdom 1 Ltr and 2 Ltrs 200 or 250g
United States 1 Ltr or 1 Ltr 200 or 100g
Probably #1 on my DF list, once I know the best place to get it!
(All prices quoted in USD$ at time of posting, using xe.com calculator. Note: I'll always update the #1 post first, so check there, before checking here!)
A few years ago, (6?) we got some fantastic lamb filets, portion packed/frozen in a nice little sealed container with dry-ice, in SYD. It had all kinds of goverment "seals" of approval and the LAX customs were fine with it. (took it all the way to NAS and was still frozen when we arrived).
Programs: UA*G, 9wPlat, LH SEN, AA Plat, Sixt Plat, *was* SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG...
Posts: 3,756
Quote:
Originally Posted by BiziBB
How about our CMB-SYD-AKL-SIN flyers?
I used to fly in & out of CMB quite often (unfortunately, before I knew about, or joined FT), but chocolate prices there (arrivals DF) were the lowest I had seen for Duty-Free (definitely better than SIN!)...I did buy some whiskey/wine, but I cannot recall how good the pricing was, but I think it was decent...
Time for the FT'ers MR'ing down there to advise...I've refunded 2 of mine already...
Don't discount Indian airports nowadays either - they used to be outrageous, but have come down to market levels, I think-will check next time I fly & report!
Programs: DL-Dirt Medallion;US-Cast Iron Preferred; HH-Gold; Avis First
Posts: 1,746
Generally, I've found the best liquor prices at non "DF" stores in places with low liquor taxes. Cruzan rum (light or dark) at $2.99 US at the K-Mart in St. Thomas, for example. Non-local liquor wasn't quite as much of a steal, but still better pricing at K-Mart and the grocery store than at any of the "duty-free" stores, and much better prices than the local stores here in Florida.
Italy also had good pricing, again better at the local stores than the DF.
Best price I've seen on Kahlua was $8.00 a liter at a grocery in Tijuana.
Edited to add, I found this thread from last July on CruiseCritic.com, listing these prices at a place called Riise in St. Thomas or St. Johns.
A 1 ltr bottle of Absolut cost 9.95
1 ltr. Grand Marnier 22.95
1 ltr. Baileys 17.95
1 ltr. Jose Cuervo Gold 13.95
1 ltr. Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch 24.95
1 ltr. Bombay Sapphire Gin 14.95
__________________
"The greatest calamity which could befall us would be submission to a government of unlimited powers."
Help! BiziBB! What is the name of that wonderful port made in Australia that you can get at the DF in SYD?
Worth flying 12 hours to get!
Bravo to the Australian airports that have Duty Free shopping for ARRIVING passengers! A wonderful idea!
I can't think of the port you're thinking of, oldpenny.
Brown Brothers?
Can you remember anything about the location of the wine label in Australia, the label itself or any story that would help?
As for SYD DF, seeing as the arrivals gate IS the DF shop, it's hard to miss.
I wish there was still the immigration gate for DF shoppers.
When in an Aussie airport DF, have your QFF number ready in case you score miles .
] 
