Duty-Free Shopping: Is It Worth It?
by Ellie Smith / July 16, 2024 (Updated on July 30, 2025)
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Duty-free shopping can vary depending on where in the world you are and where you're headed. Making savvy purchases at these outlets can save you money if you buy the right products in the right airports. Learn about what you can buy in these outlets and which airports offer the best tax-free deals.
Table of contents
How does duty-free shopping work in airports?
Governments charge taxes or fees on many products, especially luxury goods. If you're buying an item in one country and transporting it to your home country, you may also be charged a customs fee, known as “duty.” Because of this, you could easily end up paying taxes (or the equivalent fees to the government) twice: once in the country where you make the purchase and again in your home country.
Duty-free shops let you avoid some of these fees. At duty-free shops in international airport terminals, the taxes or fees that the country you're in would normally levy on the items being sold are waived. That can result in some significant savings for you on luxury items.
If you're about to leave a country that has very high VAT (value-added tax), your savings could be significant. Sweden and Denmark, for example, charge 25%VAT on virtually all purchases, so picking up an item in a duty-free shop as you leave the country could result in real savings.
A quick example: Scotch at Edinburgh Airport
Say you're in Scotland and buy $300 worth of fine Scotch at the duty-free shop in Edinburgh. Since the shop is duty-free, you won’t pay U.K. taxes or fees on the bottle.
But keep in mind: duty-free only applies to the country you’re flying out of. When you arrive back home, your own customs rules come into play.
If you're flying to New York City, for example, you may have to pay a duty when bringing that Scotch into the country. Americans have an exemption of $800 on items bought abroad, but alcohol has its own restrictions.
You can bring in up to 1 liter of alcohol duty-free, assuming your total purchases are under the $800 limit. Anything beyond 1 liter is subject to duty, even if you haven’t hit your dollar cap. And if your total value exceeds $800, you’ll be taxed on the overage.
Also worth noting, while there have been discussions and even temporary implementations of new U.S. tariffs on certain imported goods, including Scotch, a U.S. trade court ruling in May 2025 has vacated these specific new global tariff orders. This means the announced additional 10% duty on Scotch whisky (beyond standard duties) will not take effect. However, travelers should always be aware of the standard U.S. customs rules and their personal allowances for alcohol, as these remain in place.
A useful tip: pooling exemptions
Each person in your group gets an individual exemption. And in many cases, you can combine them:
If you’re buying a $1,500 watch, you and your spouse can pool your $800 exemptions to bring it in duty-free.
Even children and infants get the $800 exemption, though alcohol and tobacco are off-limits unless they’re of legal age.
One last thing: not all customs rules are equal
Every country has its own duty-free rules, and they may vary depending on where you're arriving from. U.S. residents returning from Guam, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands can bring in up to $1,600 worth of goods, plus up to 5 liters of alcohol duty-free.
And while most items are subject to some limit, it's crucial to note that recent U.S. tariff changes (implemented from April 2025) have significantly impacted what was once considered duty-free or low-duty. For instance, categories like furniture, and even certain types of fine art and antiques, may now be subject to new tariffs that can add 10% or more to the cost, depending on the item's origin.
It is absolutely essential to review your home country’s customs policy immediately before your trip, especially concerning specific categories you plan to purchase, as rules can change rapidly. And don’t forget to keep all receipts in case you need to show them on arrival.
Can you shop duty-free on domestic flights?
Unfortunately, no. Duty-free only applies to international travel. You must be crossing a national border and re-entering your home country to qualify.
What can you buy in duty-free shops?
In general, the best choices for duty-free shopping are those items that are most highly taxed. Liquor, cigarettes, and other tobacco products tend to offer the best deals because they're usually heavily taxed.
Other items you're likely to find in many duty-free shops include perfumes, gourmet chocolates (especially from Switzerland), electronics, cosmetics, and other beauty items. Many duty-free shops also sell high-end sunglasses and other fashion accessories, and you may also discover some significant luxury watches for sale.
Different duty-free shops carry different items and brands. If you're looking for a specific type of, say, French wine, you may be more likely to find it in Paris than in Singapore, but it could also be waiting for you unexpectedly in Hong Kong. If you want to make the most of your duty-free shopping opportunity, do a little research to find out which duty-free chains populate the airport you're flying from and what brands the shops carry, so you can plan ahead.
Is duty-free shopping a good deal?
Are duty-free shops really cheaper? The answer is: sometimes.
The savings you reap from duty-free shopping depend largely on what you're buying and where you're buying it. Bear in mind that you're not necessarily paying lower prices at the duty-free shop than you would for liquor or tobacco at any shop outside the airport. Your savings often come from not having to pay the tax in the country of purchase.
Beware inflated airport prices
Some items tend to be overpriced in airports, particularly leather goods, sunglasses, and sometimes fine watches. The savings you might gain from avoiding taxes could be wiped out by higher base prices. Understanding what a good price is for the item you're considering can help you make smarter purchases.
Plan ahead
Sometimes, though, you may be able to combine lower prices with duty-free savings to find some real deals. For example, if you know you want to buy a certain laptop and plan to pass through some international airports, research to compare prices. You're likely to find some price points that are lower than in your home country, and the added tax savings could save you hundreds of dollars.
Check the exchange rate
Prices at duty-free shops can also vary based on daily currency exchange rates. This can work in your favor. If you're spending in a weaker currency than your own, the savings can be amplified.
Limit your impulse buys
Many travelers browse duty-free shops to use up leftover currency before leaving a country. If that's your plan and you don’t intend to buy much, you can probably make a few impulse purchases, though keep in mind that souvenirs tend to be overpriced in airports compared to local shops.
Compare duty-free prices online
If you want to save real money, do your research. Airport duty-free shops often post their prices online, so you can compare them with local prices before making a purchase. This simple step can help you avoid overpaying and ensure you’re actually getting a deal.
Best airports for duty-free shopping
Airports in Asia are particularly known for their duty-free shopping opportunities, with Incheon Airport in South Korea racking up the most in duty-free sales. Take a look at what's available around the world so you can plan your duty-free shopping as you travel.
Duty-free shopping in Asia
Incheon International Airport
More than 90 designer fashion stores abound at this South Korean airport, including Burberry, Chanel, Rolex, and more, with plenty of savings available. In 2025, the airport introduced Korea’s first Louis Vuitton duplex store in Terminal 2, offering a broader selection of products. You’ll also find other luxury brands like Céline, Bottega Veneta, and Hermès featured in flagship boutiques.
Save time by placing your orders in advance and picking them up at designated spots throughout the airport, or do your duty-free shopping at in-town retailers that will then ship your purchases to the airport for you to retrieve.
A special category in Incheon is beauty products, specifically skin masks from popular brands including Skin Food, Innisfree, and Laneige. You’ll also find good deals on liquor, cigarettes, electronics, and Korean ginseng.
Hong Kong International Airport
If you're used to seeing only luxury goods in duty-free shops, Hong Kong International Airport's shopping opportunities may surprise you. Sure, high-end items are plentiful. In fact, many duty-free enthusiasts arrive at the airport well before check-in just to shop. But you'll also find books, travel accessories, casual clothing, toys, and a wide range of electronics available. Liquor, tobacco, perfumes, and cosmetics are also among the most popular items.
You can also pre-order online and collect your items at the airport, or at designated pickup points in the city.
Singapore Changi Airport
You'll find some serious deals at this airport in Singapore, a city that's already known for shopping. Look for real discounts on cameras, electronics, alcohol, and especially cosmetics.
Using the online pre-order service at iShopChangi lets you save time so you can focus on browsing for unexpected treasures. Seasonal promotions and bundle offers are regularly available, particularly during holidays and summer travel periods. Changi Rewards points can also be earned and used across participating airport stores.
Duty-free shopping in Europe
Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport
This 24/7 duty-free shop is open to arriving passengers as well as those flying out of Iceland. Check out the wide selection of Icelandic alcohol, candies, and cosmetics, almost all of which are up to 50% cheaper than the prices you'll find outside the airport. (That combination of features means arriving passengers can pick up a bottle of Icelandic schnapps to enjoy at their hotel.)
Popular brands include Reyka vodka, Björk liqueur, and Blue Lagoon skincare products, as well as local favorites like Sóley Organics and Bioeffect, two rising Icelandic skincare labels rooted in clean biotech.
Heathrow International Airport
With more than 500,000 square feet of duty-free shopping, you're likely to find some good deals here in London’s Heathrow Airport. Look for British designers and stores in Terminal 5, including Cath Kidston, Harrods, Paul Smith, and yes, a Harry Potter shop (complete with a Wizards Boutique for superfans). Then head to Terminal 3 to find 40 high-end international designer brands.
More than 17,000 individual duty-free items are for sale at any given time, and you can order your purchases in advance through the Heathrow Reserve & Collect service, so they're ready for a quick pick-up if your timing in the airport is tight.
Heathrow also allows arriving passengers to shop duty-free on select international routes, including from non-EU countries.
Charles de Gaulle Airport
It's no surprise this Parisian airport is packed with shops representing the country's best-known designers, including Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Yves Saint Laurent, and Louis Vuitton. Look for discounts of about 12%, thanks to the duty-free rates. French wine, champagne, and perfume are also available here at significant savings, and you aren't limited to the size of perfume bottle you carry on.
You can even purchase duty-free cheeses, foie gras, and other gourmet products specially packaged for import. (If you're considering bringing food into your home country, check to see what items are acceptable, as customs regulations can vary.)
Duty-free shopping in the Middle East
Dubai International Airport
Dubai is one of the largest airport shopping destinations in the world. You'll find a wide variety of alcohol, cameras, cigars, cosmetics, and watches in the duty-free shops, as well as all the familiar brands of electronics, including laptops and smartphones.
If you pass through Dubai International Airport on December 20, the anniversary of its duty-free shops, expect to reap discounts of up to 25%. In addition, the duty-free shops still regularly run raffles and lotteries, offering luxury cars, motorcycles, and large cash prizes through the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions.
Book a reliable airport transfer
As you leave the airport at your final destination with all those duty-free shopping bags in hand, it's nice to know that the final leg of your journey will be smooth and hassle-free. Book a reliable Blacklane car service to travel to and from the airport in comfort and style.
