Duty free after immigration with PCR
May 11, 2021, 8:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 24
Duty free after immigration with PCR
Is 3 hours layover enough to go through immigration + do duty free shopping (the cheaper one after immigration) and get back? Can I pass through immigration considering I filled the necessary form and I show negative PCR test? I have flight KUL-IST-VIE. Before Covid I used to do this without problem.
May 11, 2021, 9:50 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Are you speaking of the arrivals duty free store that is located in the baggage claim hall?
If so, you could clear immigration if you fill out the passenger locator form and have a negative COVID-19 PCR test which meets Turkey's entry requirements and shop at the arrivals level duty free.
There are no extra COVID related checks so a 3 hour layover should be fine depending on the immigration wait times.
However, be aware that you wouldn't be able to take liquids over 100mL ( alcohol, perfumes ) onboard to your onward flight to VIE unless they are in a sealed bag. Obviously, you could check a carry-on at IST at the regular check-in counter which might be your getaway if there are issues regarding taking liquids onboard to your connecting flight.
If so, you could clear immigration if you fill out the passenger locator form and have a negative COVID-19 PCR test which meets Turkey's entry requirements and shop at the arrivals level duty free.
There are no extra COVID related checks so a 3 hour layover should be fine depending on the immigration wait times.
However, be aware that you wouldn't be able to take liquids over 100mL ( alcohol, perfumes ) onboard to your onward flight to VIE unless they are in a sealed bag. Obviously, you could check a carry-on at IST at the regular check-in counter which might be your getaway if there are issues regarding taking liquids onboard to your connecting flight.
May 11, 2021, 10:27 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 24
Are you speaking of the arrivals duty free store that is located in the baggage claim hall?
If so, you could clear immigration if you fill out the passenger locator form and have a negative COVID-19 PCR test which meets Turkey's entry requirements and shop at the arrivals level duty free.
There are no extra COVID related checks so a 3 hour layover should be fine depending on the immigration wait times.
However, be aware that you wouldn't be able to take liquids over 100mL ( alcohol, perfumes ) onboard to your onward flight to VIE unless they are in a sealed bag. Obviously, you could check a carry-on at IST at the regular check-in counter which might be your getaway if there are issues regarding taking liquids onboard to your connecting flight.
If so, you could clear immigration if you fill out the passenger locator form and have a negative COVID-19 PCR test which meets Turkey's entry requirements and shop at the arrivals level duty free.
There are no extra COVID related checks so a 3 hour layover should be fine depending on the immigration wait times.
However, be aware that you wouldn't be able to take liquids over 100mL ( alcohol, perfumes ) onboard to your onward flight to VIE unless they are in a sealed bag. Obviously, you could check a carry-on at IST at the regular check-in counter which might be your getaway if there are issues regarding taking liquids onboard to your connecting flight.
May 11, 2021, 10:28 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Correct, arrival duty free. Aiming for cigarettes as they are 30% cheaper in arrival hall than those duty free shops. I will exit airport as usual (instead of transit I clear immigration, shop at duty free and return with printed boarding pass to clear immigration again).
Definitely doable unless your incoming flight is delayed.