EWR International Arrivals "sterile" area has no access to any shops or kiosks whatsoever. One walks from the plane across an seemingly elevated endless second-floor walkway (from which you can look down at the shops on the main floor with envy), winding up in a vast, stark "sterile" baggage area with multiple carousels. Cell phone use is banned in this area. Once you pick up your luggage, you must pass through immigration/agriculture and then customs --- and finally out into the terminal area itself.

As far as I know, on outbound international flights from EWR, one can still purchase drinks in the food court --- but drinks may not be brought onto the plane.