How does duty-free work at UK airport?

When shopping duty free, you can take one regular sized airport shopping bag of items with you onto your flight. This means that you can pick up toiletries, baby food, perfumes, alcohol, and any other security-restricted items at a duty free shop and take them onto the plane with you when you travel.



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UK domestic legislation prevents duty free being extended to domestic travellers, so passengers must be leaving the UK in order to be able to purchase goods for their own personal use free of duty and taxes. This has been the law for many years and is unaffected by any Brexit related changes.

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You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat). If you go over your allowance you pay tax and duty on the total value of the goods, not just the value above the allowance. You may have to pay import VAT and customs duty if you exceed your allowance.

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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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Some countries allow arriving international travelers to use duty-free shops before leaving the airport, but the U.S. does not. Returning U.S. travelers can buy duty-free only at foreign departure airports.

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Heathrow Airport has lost a High Court bid to challenge the scrapping of tax-free shopping for tourists. Two schemes providing VAT-free shopping for some international visitors were withdrawn by the Treasury at the end of the Brexit transition period on New Year's Day this year.

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When you reach the airport our duty and tax free stores are typically located after security in the departure lounge or en-route to the gates. You are also able to purchase from stores located in the Arrivals area of some airports.

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Official Security Bags These are sealed clear plastic bags with special security features that hold goods purchased from airline or airport retailers after security screening. They are designed to make it easier for you to carry liquids, aerosols and gels through screening.

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Generally, customs officers may stop people at the border to determine whether they are admissible to the United States, and they may search people's belongings for contraband. This is true even if there is nothing suspicious about you or your luggage.

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Taking liquids through security
  • all drinks, including water.
  • liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups.
  • cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss.
  • sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants.
  • pastes, including toothpaste.


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