upgrade addict

Had a connecting flight into Frankfurt. Purchased a $75 bottle of cologne for my son in duty free. Was then faced with another security checkpoint to get into the Terminal B section with United Airlines flights. It was on Level 2 at a "spur" that has Gates 20-28. The security screener confiscated my cologne even with proof of purchase in the duty free shop, thrust a brochure in German at me, and threw the cologne in a trash can. Has anyone else experienced this before?

graraps

was the cologne in a sealed clear plastic bag?

upgrade addict

It was still in its original plastic wrap, unopened. I am thinking now that I should have asked to speak to a supervisor.

obscure2k

Moving to the TS/S Forum
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

old_vine_zin

rules vary at different airports. I bough a bottle of scotch in Singapore, had it sealed in the plastic bag only to have security at NRT take it from me as I connected there. They told me not all airports abide by the sealed by duty free clause.

Kiwi Flyer

yup most places the reverse holds, AFAIK the sealed duty free exemption is for same day intra-europe connections

Aviatrix

My understanding was that it's for flights departing from EU airports regardless of destination - in other words, as long as the airport from which you depart is within the EU then it doesn't matter what your destination is (but you can't, for example, have your duty-free purchases sealed in AMS, board a flight to the USA and then board another flight there).

For the OP - you mention original packaging, but did you get the shop to put your purchase inside a sealed shopping bag? You can't take duty-free liquids through security, not even in their unopened packaging, unless they are in specially-sealed bag.

LessO2

This is exactly why (outside of tickets) I do not purchase anything at any airport. Worldwide. Period.

Out of an abundance of caution, of course.

SDF_Traveler

This is my understanding as well, but I've been hesitant to test the system.

OTOH, I know they can get a bit heavy handed at FRA.

maskedavenger77

Just after 9/11 I had a small pair of mustache scissors in my carry-on. Frankfurt security tried to grab it and place it in a bin of about 500 other scissors. As a cutlery collector....these were not ordinary scissors.....they were custom made at a place in Solingen and I was not going to give up so quickly. Twenty minures...a supervisor from security and then a supervisor from AA.......scissors were placed in a box that was returned to me upon landing. I learned a lesson and the scissors were now placed in checked luggage....up until they were stolen and/or misplaced by US TSA in JFK. If you are not late for a flight, the supervisor from the airline would probably have been able to check the cologne for you and return to you on landing. Personally, with the prices in most "duty free" shops....I wouldn't buy anything from them...now this.......a lesson learned.

OrlandoFlyer

I never buy stuff at airports. Even if it is marginally cheaper the hassel caused by so called security is not worth it. PAX should boycott airport shops and I guarantee things would change very quickly as the airports would start to lose serious money. Suddenly purchased items would be "safe" again.

alanR

Isn't this peculiar to flights to the US where there are security checks at the gate?

Because intra-EU you are allowed to buy liquids in the airside shops.

Additionally if you then fly to another EU airport to get a connecting flight you can then take that liquid through security as long as it's correctly sealed

KleineFrau

I love EU airside shops. Sort of like a mall that happens to land planes.

UALOneKPlus

More incentive to not buy airside.

Palal

Why did you purchase a bottle of cologne in Frankfurt?!?!?!? You should've done it in Cologne!

Disclaimer: I hate stupid security.