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Can you return duty-free at the airport?

Due to US Customs regulations, all duty and tax free sales are final.



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The truth is, for a lot of products, there isn't always much difference between duty-free and the prices you can get at home — especially if you're prepared to hunt online. The key differentials are tobacco and alcohol, which are both usually taxed heavily and therefore can be bought for a lot less at the airport.

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Import, value-added and sales taxes – aka duty – are imposed on imported and exported products. A duty-free shop, therefore, sells things without adding those taxes to the price. You'll find duty-free shops in international airports, cruise ships and areas where tourists congregate.

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If you open it at the gate or onboard, airline staff will confiscate your purchase, empty the liquor or perfume and throw out your candy or tobacco. Your goods will meet the same fate if you show up at your final destination and a customs agent sees that you've opened the bag or its contents.

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Duty-free stores are an enticing perk of international travel. These retail businesses sell merchandise that is exempt from duties and taxes with the understanding they will be taken out of the country for use. Many popular duty-free items found in airport shops include liquor, chocolate, and perfume.

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Can You Drink Your Own Alcohol On a Plane? The short answer is a resounding “no.” U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations state that drinking your own alcohol on a commercial flight is prohibited, and those who don't comply could face upwards of $40,000 in fines.

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And at a duty-free store, while being slightly less expensive than elsewhere, it's guaranteed to be authentic, which is very important when it comes to buying this one of the mostly counterfeited brands.

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