I always wondered about Duty Free shops. I've gone inside and bought things there (as emergency gifts) when going overseas. Do you think they are traps for people who couldn't make it to the malls or are there real benefits?

And what about the on board Duty Free shops? I once had to sit besides these two older women on a flight to Rio and they both tried EVERY fragrance on the cart. I had a huge headache after that. If there was any way to try all the licquor too...

I found scotch in the duty free in LAX was cheaper than buying it in Texas, but it was more expensive in Sydney than in LAX. Perfumes seemed more expensive in Duty Frees than in Texas. It's all a gamble, as you really have to know your prices. Often wished for a DFS price list so I could compare with US prices.

General Rule (subject to many local exceptions):

Liquor and cigarettes are less expensive in Duty Free stores. Everything else is a joke.

I've been told that the best place in the world (including in portugal) to buy port (in terms of selection and price) is at the duty free shop at Heathrow. I'll be checking it out next week.

In the US, (leaving) it is probably a wash---you save sales tax. For tobacco, it is good. For perfume that you buy at department stores, it may be a few cents cheaper plus no sales tax makes it a good deal. If you get your perfume at discount outlets it probably isn't. Agree with Rudi--everything else is a bad deal. Interesting, in South America the duty free shops seem to be denominated in $USD rather than local currency.

As I was based at Heathrow for some time, I will offer my opinions of this mecca of duty-free stores...

The duty-free liquor stores at Heathrow are wonderful - good prices and a *great* range for those of us who like the more obscure/upper-end stuff. They usually have something on offer, (a 'six-pack' of malt whiskies, a free smaller bottle of the better/older stuff, etc), so if you don't have something definite in mind, choosing the current special offer may be a good way to go.

As far as other shops at Heathrow go - you need to know your prices. If you truly are saving the 17.5% VAT, it's worth shopping there (Thomas Pink is a good example). The chain stores, in general, are relatively good - you will save money if they have standardised pricing policies - but individual (unaffiliated) merchants tend to be a rip-off. Some of the stores at Heathrow will ship merchandise to your home address if you live in the UK (and possibly abroad too) - this is a big bonus for regular UK-based travellers who want to buy, say, a new suitcase or other bulky item, but don't want to lug it about with them.

Most of the same rules of thumb apply at Gatwick.

One thing *never* to buy at airports is a camera/film/anything else that is obviously aimed at tourists. I've found that drug stores & stationery stores don't offer a particularly good deal either.

As far as other airports go - it can be a good idea to buy the local specialty in the duty free. However, it may be cheaper elsewhere - but you will probably have to leave the tourist centre/ask a local where to find it.

Pricing in US dollars is becoming common in developing countries/countries with unstable currencies. In this case you are almost certain to be ripped off.

As an example - when I was at Dar es Salaam I had some time to kill and about 4000 (�4/$6.50) tanzanian shillings that I couldn't reconvert, so I wandered into the one of little stores outside the airport entrance. I found some Zanzibari spices and postcards that I wanted, but their ticketed prices added up to a little more than I had (5/6000 shillings) The lady serving me took my money anyway - don't be fooled by price tags! - and I got everything I wanted.

After I went into the airport and passed through immigration, the same basket of spices was priced at US$15 - and there was no negotiating!

I also noticed that you only find specially designed packages at DFSs around the world, like 3-pack scotch, cigarrette packs, etc. I believe I once bought a special 6-pack of Chivas Regal 12-year for very cheap.

Yes, buying anything at aiports is a rip off. Go to the McDonalds at the LAX int'l terminal and see the $5.99 Mcmeals.

Never been in a duty free shop, never purchased anything duty free (though if any of my friends ask I would venture in.)

Duty free doesn't have Pepsi or Ben & jerrys
or cat toys so I don't drink or smoke or wear perfume. (I'll go to the obscure little perfume shop in Paris to get me Le'Du Tomps (SP) The perfume with the doves on the bottle for my neighbor Agnes, who "Catsits" Yaz and Eddie when I have to travel.) CATMAN

In addition to Liquor and Cigarettes, Colognes and Fragrances are substantially cheaper in Duty Free shops as well. Especially in Asia and parts of Europe. I bought a cologne that retails in the US for US $81 (86 with tax). It was for $46 on board United and even at the Atlanta DFS.

Usually, but not always, locally produced liquor is the best deal. In Amsterdam's Schiphol you can get a liter of Dutch gin (jenever)for about $8. A fifth (75cl) is $16 locally here in NJ.

What about shopping for other items at Airports??

Someone told me that The Body Shop is extremely reasonable at the London airports. Is there anything else that we should be looking out for at the other airports?

HKgal: Sorry to dissapoint you, but Body Shop goods at London Airports are no cheaper than on the High Street. They appear cheaper because Body Shop goods are cheaper in the UK anyway.

As far as airport shopping goes, stick to 'Duty Free' which is only Alcohol, Tobacco and Fragrance.

Anything else will just be 'tax free' ie. no sales tax. As a non-resident you will get a much better deal on the High Street and claiming you sales tax back at the airport.
MF

As an ex-resident of the UK, I can safely say that duty free shops are not as good a deal for tourists as for British natives at the London airports anyway. Britons are saving 17 1/2 percent in VAT. Tourists can claim this back - as long as you are not a resident of a European Union member state.

Does anyone have any opinions on the suspension of duty-free for travellers travelling within the EU? This could mean the closure of some duty free shops at airports - especially Heathrow Terminals 1 and 2 which are primarily used for European flights ...

I believe that you have to spend over �50 in each store you visit in order to claim your VAT refund - so unless you are planning on buying everything in the Body Shop, you may be better off picking it up VAT-free at the airport (a savings of 17.5%) Duty-free alcohol does offer a much deeper discount...

leroy - I'd love the duty-free shops within the EU to remain, but that does seem to circumvent the spirit of the common market... If I were still living in the UK and doing a lot of European travel I would fill out one of those forms every time I went through an airport... but somehow I think that it won't last forever.