Is it worth it to buy duty free?

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 in many cases that you're not necessarily paying lower prices at the duty-free shop than you would pay for liquor or tobacco at any shop outside the airport.



People Also Ask

Wine and hard alcohol in your carry-on or cabin baggage is generally NOT allowed. This is because liquids in quantities larger than 100 ml (3.4 oz.) cannot be placed in your carry-on. An exception to the carry-on rule is made for wine and other spirits purchased in duty-free stores beyond security checkpoints.

MORE DETAILS

Please note that any items you purchase at the airport, including tax-free products, are counted as part of your carry-on baggage allowance. In addition you can bring duty-free bags and airport purchases in the cabin along with your cabin baggage.

MORE DETAILS

Department store perfume
In other words, the duty-free shop may be selling what it believes to be the real deal, but it's not. You're far better off buying perfume directly from its manufacturer or in a department store that you trust.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS