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My classmate called me and shared his joy that he was flying to rest in Bali. He asked me what to bring as a souvenir, and I asked him for a bottle of good duty-free rum. He was even a little upset – he wanted some kind of memorable souvenir, and I again with my alcohol.
I explained to my friend that at the airport or at the border (in the duty-free zone), the cost of alcohol should be lower than in stores. Moreover, in duty free you can often find special versions of drinks that are sold only there.
Is it profitable to take something in Duty-free
Duty Free (English free from obligations) – a mode of trade in which goods are not subject to national and local taxes or duties, provided that they are exported from the country.
The price can be 25% -50% lower than retail. Which goods and which excise taxes they are exempted from depends on the particular state, so the prices for the same product in duty free in different countries may differ.
However, goods are not fully exempted from taxes, but only partially. What percentage of duties you can not pay depends on the rules, again, of a particular state. Prices may also differ for arriving and departing passengers.
Duty-free shops are usually located at airports and at land borders after passport and customs control zones. Occasionally they can be at the entrance to the terminal, but you can only make purchases if you have a ticket to another country. In rare cases, such stores are found to serve arriving passengers.
To be honest, I don’t really notice these discounts at Russian airports. Well, that is, they seem to be, but not more than 10-15%, according to my feelings. Although it was definitely more profitable before, maybe this is because of the ruble exchange rate.
What kind of alcohol can be bought in Duty-free
Alcoholic drinks have become the most popular product since the early days of duty free. The explanation is simple: the prices there are an order of magnitude lower than in city stores, and you don’t have to worry about the quality – it is strictly controlled.
At major airports or land borders, duty-free shops look like real fairgrounds, with large racks lined with a variety of bottles. Usually the best samples of alcoholic beverages are collected there. There are several reasons for this:
- Airport visitors usually have a lot of free time. After passing through passport control and before boarding, there is from 30 minutes to two hours. Many people spend this time wandering around the shops.
- A calm and relaxed atmosphere is conducive to shopping.
- Travelers are most likely to be able to afford luxury alcohol. After all, those who have no money do not travel abroad.
Some types of alcohol sold in duty free at Russian airports:
- Bacardi Carta Negra (1 liter) – 17 euros;
- Bushmills Black Bush (1 liter) – 25 euros;
- Johnie Walker Blue Label King – 405 евро;
- Finlandia Blackcurrant (1 l) – 17 euros;
- JP. Chenet Medium sweet rose – 0,75 мл;
- Jagermeister (0,5 l) – 10 euros;
- King Robert (1 liter) – 10 euros;
- Martini Prosecco (0,75 л).
How much alcohol can you buy in duty free
The amount of alcohol allowed to be purchased will differ for each specific state. For example, no more than 2 liters of alcohol can be imported into Russia or the European Union.
I recommend that you find out the rules in advance or ask the duty-free staff. Store employees will not allow you to buy more than allowed. Also, some duty free shops have cash limits or restrictions on the purchase of several identical goods.
What alcohol is better to buy in duty free
In fact, the purchase of any alcohol in the duty-free zone will prove to be beneficial, so the choice depends only on personal preferences. I advise you to pay attention to the elite varieties of alcohol, which are either difficult to find anywhere else, or they cost fabulous sums. For example, well-known brands often produce varieties specifically for duty free.
You can study the prices of alcohol in advance and determine what will be cheaper to buy at the airport. Many duty free shops have online versions. You can’t buy products via the Internet with their help, but it’s easy to get acquainted with the assortment. Local alcohol will be cheaper than imported, so it is more profitable to buy drinks in the country where they are produced.
Is it possible to drink purchased alcohol at the airport and on the plane
Drinking alcohol is prohibited at most airports. As for airlines, some of them have nothing against passengers who want to relax before a long flight. Others, such as Aeroflot, take a categorical position and do not allow you to drink alcoholic drinks brought with you to the cabin. It is also worth considering that a drunken passenger has the right not to be allowed on board.
Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Take care of yourself!
Buying alcohol in duty free shops is a great way to save money. However, in order to make a wise choice, you should first study the prices and do not forget about the rules of the airport and the air carrier. What kind of alcohol do you buy in duty free?