And you could save much more money if you buy retail then claim a refund under the tourist refund scheme. If you're travelling abroad, the government's tourist refund scheme TRS can be a better shopping option than airport duty-free, since it allows you to get the best price at a regular retail store and then claim a GST refund at the airport.
But the refund only applies to things you wear or carry on the plane and excludes liquor except wine. You can shop up to 60 days before travelling and still qualify for a tax rebate. Here's how it works:. Note for wine buyers: Because liquids can't be taken onboard in your carry-on luggage, you'll need to visit the Customs and Border Protection Client Services counter to have your wine sighted and verified before you check in.
Furthermore, duty-free prices vary widely, depending on the country and airport. At duty-free airports in the U. Typically, liquor and tobacco products are the best deals simply because they are subject to the highest taxes. As we now know, when you enter the U. So you can splurge on wine at the French duty-free shop, and not pay tax on it in France or in the U. According to veteran travellers, the most common reasons people end up spending at duty-free shops at airports or international ferry terminals and border crossings are boredom from having to wait for your flight, especially a delayed one, spending any leftover local currency, buying last-minute gifts and souvenirs, or simply because you believe it will cost less than what you would pay in your country for the same but imported product.
But now many travel experts have begun to question if buying at duty-free is really cheaper than the price you would have paid otherwise. The proliferation of online shopping has added fuel to the thought.
Are you sure the price you are paying at duty-free is lower than what you would have got otherwise? Surveys have revealed that the same product may be priced differently at different airports. There have also been complaints that sometimes cost of a product may vary across outlets in the same airport. Also, the shops are under no obligation to pass on the benefits accrued through the exemptions allowed to them by the government. And what with the rents and other charges they have to pay for the space, the shops are more concerned about their profit margins than the discount they allow to buyers.
However, if you follow a few rules, there are chances that you may not end up paying more than what you should. For example, it is prudent to know if the products you intend to buy are available in your home country and at what price — you can always check online.
Use an online currency converter for quick calculations. If you are paying with a credit card, check if the card is exempted from foreign transaction fees or you may end up paying for in fees than the discount you have earned.
If the same product is available at other stores in the airport, compare the prices. SkyScanner came up with an interesting comparison, looking at prices in duty free outlets all around the world. For alcohol — in general the worst values are in Middle Eastern countries, or countries where alcohol is largely banned within the country.
Look for the special offers, especially on booze and perfume. Perfumes and skin products also often include special bundles which can represent equally excellent value. Combine these offers with limited time promotions by having an email address specifically for marketing emails. Heathrow Rewards is a great place to start. Gilbert Ott is an ever curious traveler and one of the world's leading travel experts.
0コメント