Duty-free shopping is a term that you might have heard from travelers, luxury shoppers and even flight attendants. What exactly is duty free shopping? Is it possible to shop duty free even if you don't cross any international borders?
Here is a complete guide on how it works, if you can shop duty free without leaving your country and where you can find such stores (including US international airports like LAX, JFK, Newark, Miami, etc.)
What is a Duty-Free Store?
A duty free store refers to a store which sells products without any local taxes or import duties making those products cheaper than the usual products.
What Is Duty-Free Shopping?
It refers to shopping from Duty-free stores. Such stores can be located at international airports, borders between the countries, onboard international flights or cruises. The math is simple, since the shopping is done on international borders, you will not be charged any taxes from any country - but there are a few conditions.
Key Conditions:
- You must be travelling internationally
- There is a limit on how much you can buy, every country has a duty-free allowance
- You must show travelling proof like boarding pass or passport
- Some products like electronics, sunglasses and souvenirs might not be as cheap as you expect.
- You might not be able to use Duty-free products immediately, sealed bags must not be opened until you reach your destination.
|
Eligibility |
Requirements |
|
International Travelers |
Must show a same-day boarding pass for an overseas flight. |
|
Cruise Passengers |
Only on international cruise routes. |
|
Military & Diplomats |
Special exemptions apply. |
|
Border Shoppers |
Some stores near Canada/Mexico allow limited purchases. |
Can You Shop Duty Free Without Crossing a Border?
Here comes the most asked and searched question and the answer is: usually NO! As per Duty-free shopping conditions, it works for only those people who leave their countries and cross an international border. Hence, queries like:
-
Can you shop duty free without crossing border
- Can you shop at duty free without crossing border
…are usually answered with “no”.
However, some duty-free shops might allow browsing but would not allow you to make a purchase unless you have travelling proof.
Where Can You Find Duty-Free Stores in the U.S.?
Duty-free shops are most commonly found near major international airports or border locations. Following are some stores that you might wanna check out:
|
Category |
Locations |
|
International Airports |
JFK, LAX, Miami, EWR Duty Free / Newark Airport Duty Free, Orlando Airport Duty Free |
|
Land Borders |
Near Canada & Mexico like Peace Bridge Duty Free |
|
Online Pre-Order |
Pick up before flying |
These stores operate from south to north of America and are a part of Duty Free Americas, which is a large chain of stores working across the whole country.
What Can You Buy at Duty-Free Stores?
Here is the list of products that you can buy from duty-free stores:
|
Product Category |
Description |
|
Airport Liquor |
Spirits, wines and specialty liquors sold tax-free. Up to 50% off in some cases. |
|
Tobacco Products |
Various tobacco items available tax-free. |
|
Fragrances and Cosmetics |
Perfumes, skincare and beauty products offered duty-free. Often 20-30% cheaper. |
|
Luxury Items |
High-end watches, handbags and sunglasses. |
|
Snacks and Souvenirs |
Chocolates, snacks and regional gift items. |
Price Comparison: Duty-Free vs. Retail
|
Product |
Duty-Free Price |
Retail Price |
Savings |
|
1L Premium Whiskey |
$30 |
$45 |
$15 |
|
Designer Perfume (100ml) |
$80 |
$110 |
$30 |
|
Luxury Watch |
$1,200 |
$1,500 |
$300 |
But remember not to exceed the duty-free allowance limit of the country you are travelling to, otherwise you might have to pay taxes, for example if you bought 3 litres of wine duty-free but the other country allows only 1 litre free then you will have to pay extra money.
Duty-Free vs. Reshipping: What’s the Difference?
|
Feature |
Duty-Free Shopping |
|
|
Tax Savings |
No import duties or local taxes |
You will have to pay taxes in your country |
|
Eligibility |
International travelers only. |
Available for everyone. |
|
Shipping |
Airport pickup or limited delivery |
Ships to your address. |
|
Best For |
Big savings on luxury items |
Getting products not sold locally. |
What Is Customs and Why It Matters?
Customs is the department that is authorized by the government and it controls and checks the items coming into a country across borders. This department is responsible for checking the quantity of items brought into the country as well.
For instance, in the US, the duty-free allowance is 800 USD per person and there are certain quantity limits on liquor and tobacco. Anybody exceeding this limit will be charged extra money, if goods which exceed this limit are not declared then it might result in confiscation or fine.
Spotlight: Duty Free Americas
You might have come across one of the duty-free shops of Duty Free America while travelling through LAX, JFK, EWR or Peace Bridge. It is one of the biggest duty-free shops operators in the US. They offer a big range of products from fashion to edibles.
Summary:
In short, duty free shopping is not allowed unless you are travelling internationally, some military or diplomats might make duty free purchases under special conditions. Some online stores allow online orders and airport pickups as well. Always make sure you check the limits and compare prices before making any purchase.
FAQs
Can I buy duty free online?
Online orders with airport pick-ups are allowed.
Can I buy duty free online without travelling?
You cannot buy duty free online without travelling.
Are duty-free items always cheap?
No, some items might not be as cheap as you expect, they might cost the same as in local stores.
Do duty free stores accept returns?
It varies from place to place.
What’s the duty-free allowance when returning to the U.S.?
While returning to the US you can bring back items worth $800.
