Airports are "duty free" because they contain specialized retail zones that exist outside the jurisdiction of the national customs territory. When you enter the departures area of an international terminal, you are technically in an "international" space. Governments allow shops in this zone to sell goods without the "duty" (import tax) or "VAT/GST" (sales tax) that would normally be applied in the local economy. This is based on the legal assumption that the goods will be consumed or used outside of the country. This is why the cashier always asks to scan your boarding pass; it proves you are leaving the country and are entitled to the tax exemption. However, in 2026, "duty free" doesn't always mean "cheapest." While alcohol and tobacco often see significant savings because they are heavily taxed locally, electronics and luxury goods are sometimes priced similarly to online retailers. The "pleasure" of duty-free shopping is the convenience and the ability to buy "travel-exclusive" products that aren't available in standard stores.