Duty free and customs when returning from Ex-EU trip
Feb 10, 2015, 6:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 299
Duty free and customs when returning from Ex-EU trip
Tomorrow I'll be returning from an ex-EU trip travelling LAS-LHR-AMS-LHR
If I get duty free at LAS can I bring this through security at LHR and AMS? I think the answer at LHR is yes as I can show a previous day's receipt but not 100% sure and I have no idea about at AMS
Finally, when I arrive back at LHR which channel should I take at customs? I'll be arriving from AMS but I won't have made landside there as I Intend to stay airside at the lounge before my onward trip
TIA
If I get duty free at LAS can I bring this through security at LHR and AMS? I think the answer at LHR is yes as I can show a previous day's receipt but not 100% sure and I have no idea about at AMS
Finally, when I arrive back at LHR which channel should I take at customs? I'll be arriving from AMS but I won't have made landside there as I Intend to stay airside at the lounge before my onward trip
TIA
Feb 10, 2015, 6:10 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2006
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I wouldn't bother if you are brining back liquids, Not convinced you will get them thro' security.... You clear Customs at your point of first arrival in the EU. When you return from AMS you should exit thro' the blue EU arrivals.
Feb 10, 2015, 6:20 pm
#4
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,248
Do you have a short connection at AMS? If you're just turning around you will avoid having to go through security at AMS, and ultimately clear customs when you finally arrive at LHR. So yes, it is possible to bring liquids through LHR and AMS.
Feb 10, 2015, 6:26 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 299
Not sure a cheap bottle of tanqueray is worth spending that much time sat by the gate though
Last edited by AyeCaramba; Feb 10, 2015 at 6:29 pm Reason: iPhone spellcheck grrrrrrr
Feb 10, 2015, 6:47 pm
#7
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
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Unfort not. I know that on back to backs at AMS you can skip security but I've got a 2 1/4hr turnaround so was intending to visit the new lounge as I've not been to the new one before (realise it's a bit of a trek!).
Not sure a cheap bottle of tanqueray is worth spending that much time sat by the gate though
Not sure a cheap bottle of tanqueray is worth spending that much time sat by the gate though
Feb 10, 2015, 11:17 pm
#8
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Absolutely, to avoid the risk of confiscation do ensure your duty free liquids are placed by the shop/airline in to a tamper-proof sealed bag with the receipt inside.
Feb 10, 2015, 11:22 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Lausanne Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold; Swiss Blue
Posts: 1,244
My experience is that duty free is not work buying EX-USA. I have often found it to be as expensive as buying it in the high street.
Do they still offer the buy and collect service at Heathrow? or cant you just buy it as you exit customs?
Do they still offer the buy and collect service at Heathrow? or cant you just buy it as you exit customs?
Feb 10, 2015, 11:28 pm
#10
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
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I usually buy the T10 on board, it's 24 for a liter on BA which isn't a bad price.
Feb 11, 2015, 1:34 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 858
I have lost my duty-free connecting at T5 from long-haul to EDI!
And I have had a gulp of interesting vodka and 20-year-old Scotch in the security queues at LHR when others have been told to surrender their duty-free - or drink it.
It only happens once, and you give up on duty-free.
And I have had a gulp of interesting vodka and 20-year-old Scotch in the security queues at LHR when others have been told to surrender their duty-free - or drink it.
It only happens once, and you give up on duty-free.
Feb 11, 2015, 3:26 am
#14
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On a related question, for those wanting to buy duty free in the EU when flying back to and terminating in LHR - what is the minimum required to make purchases without tax? Do you need a connecting boarding pass to a destination out of the EU? Or would some type of itinerary be sufficient? If the former, probably not worth the effort to book a refundable connecting reservation to get a BP and then cancel but if a dummy itinerary would suffice, that's a different story.
Feb 11, 2015, 3:35 am
#15
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
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On a related question, for those wanting to buy duty free in the EU when flying back to and terminating in LHR - what is the minimum required to make purchases without tax? Do you need a connecting boarding pass to a destination out of the EU? Or would some type of itinerary be sufficient? If the former, probably not worth the effort to book a refundable connecting reservation to get a BP and then cancel but if a dummy itinerary would suffice, that's a different story.