What are the benefits of duty free shopping?

Duty-free shopping allows travelers to purchase items without paying tax on them. In the EU, products purchased in-between countries are taxable, but items you buy while traveling to, or away from, an EU country are duty-refund, and travelers can apply for a refund of the taxes they paid on such products.



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Duty-free exemptions In most cases, travelers are permitted to bring up to $800 worth of merchandise back to the United States without having to pay duty. (Numerous exceptions apply.) Keep in mind that only one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars may be included in this exemption.

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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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You Can Shop Duty-Free On Arrival 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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Therefore, if your acquired articles exceed your personal exemption/allowance, the articles you purchased in Customs duty-free shop, whether in the United States or abroad, will be subject to Customs duty upon entering your destination country.

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To be eligible for duty free shopping, you must:
Be leaving the United States (usually for more than 48 hours). Take the items with you into another country (As required by U.S. law, you will receive your items as you exit the country, either as you get on the plane or as you drive across the border).

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

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You may bring back more than your exemption, but you will have to pay duty on it. In most cases, the personal exemption is $800, but there are some exceptions to this rule, which are explained below. Depending on the countries you have visited, your personal exemption will be $200, $800, or $1,600.

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