UK day trip - purchasing duty free spirits
Feb 3, 2018, 8:15 am
#1
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UK day trip - purchasing duty free spirits
Quick question...if I am doing a UK day trip from T5, How do I purchase a bottle of perfume or spirits and not risk losing it when going through security on the way back?
i have a vague recollection of there being some sort of exception if purchase remains in sealed see through plastic bag. Anybody able to clarify?
i have a vague recollection of there being some sort of exception if purchase remains in sealed see through plastic bag. Anybody able to clarify?
Feb 3, 2018, 8:19 am
#2
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Quick question...if I am doing a UK day trip from T5, How do I purchase a bottle of perfume or spirits and not risk losing it when going through security on the way back?
i have a vague recollection of there being some sort of exception if purchase remains in sealed see through plastic bag. Anybody able to clarify?
i have a vague recollection of there being some sort of exception if purchase remains in sealed see through plastic bag. Anybody able to clarify?
Which route are you doing? As some airports you would remain airside after arriving from London. ( ie EDI)
Alcohol prices in the duty free shops may not be as good as buying it on the high street or online- Have you compared the prices?
Regards
TBS
Feb 3, 2018, 8:19 am
#3
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 5,380
Quick question...if I am doing a UK day trip from T5, How do I purchase a bottle of perfume or spirits and not risk losing it when going through security on the way back?
i have a vague recollection of there being some sort of exception if purchase remains in sealed see through plastic bag. Anybody able to clarify?
i have a vague recollection of there being some sort of exception if purchase remains in sealed see through plastic bag. Anybody able to clarify?
Feb 3, 2018, 8:20 am
#4
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The last time I did this (it was a back-to-back to SVG), the checkout operator wanted to see my onward boarding pass from SVG and could not understand what I was on about when I then presented my SVG-LHR boarding pass. I think that was to log the duty-free / tax-free status of the purchase, but she was simultaneously querying why I wanted a STEB. But insistence on having a STEB paid off, and all went well thereafter. (The STEB was actually a just-in-case measure in any event, given the arrangements at SVG.)
Feb 3, 2018, 8:32 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London
Posts: 6,265
Keep in mind though that 'duty free' is sometimes cheaper in other UK airports, so you may or may not save money by shopping at LHR. Most airports have prices online that you can search anyway.
Feb 3, 2018, 8:42 am
#7
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Feb 3, 2018, 8:46 am
#8
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Hi,
The Heathrow airport website says that it is available also for travelling within the UK but does not give a pick up point;;
Heathrow Boutique - Collect on Return
Regards
TBS
The Heathrow airport website says that it is available also for travelling within the UK but does not give a pick up point;;
Heathrow Boutique - Collect on Return
Regards
TBS
Feb 3, 2018, 8:49 am
#9
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Hi,
The Heathrow airport website says that it is available also for travelling within the UK but does not give a pick up point;;
Heathrow Boutique - Collect on Return
Regards
TBS
The Heathrow airport website says that it is available also for travelling within the UK but does not give a pick up point;;
Heathrow Boutique - Collect on Return
Regards
TBS
Feb 3, 2018, 8:51 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2014
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You collect it in arrivals, so don't have to go through Duty Free. I did it in T3 and T5 number of times, even on the back to back without security on the other side. Just to avoid carrying it. Doesn't work for Norway, not EU. Collection desks are the small tills for hotel bookings. You will have description and location on receipt.
Feb 3, 2018, 9:32 am
#12
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I tried to use that many years ago during the liquids scare because I was unable to buy anything on my outward journey. They wouldn't or couldn't extend it to Transatlantic flights which was annoying. I was hoping to buy some electronics that were on special offer and I had vouchers to use that cut the price even more. Sadly by the time of my next flight it was no longer on sale discounted or otherwise. 
Feb 3, 2018, 9:33 am
#13
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I tried to use that many years ago during the liquids scare because I was unable to buy anything on my outward journey. They wouldn't or couldn't extend it to Transatlantic flights which was annoying. I was hoping to buy some electronics that were on special offer and I had vouchers to use that cut the price even more. Sadly by the time of my next flight it was no longer on sale.
Feb 3, 2018, 9:44 am
#14
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Thanks for the replies. I am actually going for work hence why I have to leave the airport and go through security on the way back.
I tend to find that Heathrow prices (on perfumes) are generally competitive if buying the larger versions of the bottle. I just don' want to get stung with an item over 100mls....
and also, I have learnt my lesson with regional airports before where an item I wanted was available at Heathrow but not there on the return hence why I want to commit to buying at Heathrow if possible.
I tend to find that Heathrow prices (on perfumes) are generally competitive if buying the larger versions of the bottle. I just don' want to get stung with an item over 100mls....
and also, I have learnt my lesson with regional airports before where an item I wanted was available at Heathrow but not there on the return hence why I want to commit to buying at Heathrow if possible.
Feb 3, 2018, 9:48 am
#15
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Yeah I figured it was something like that. It was a shame given the fact that if you were flying to the US you couldn't take any hand luggage. I said that I was happy to pay the duty and any taxes because I'd still be saving money on every other price I'd seen but it was still a no go.