Airport shopping is part of the ritual, a browse through duty free, a last-minute treat, a bottle for the trip. But duty free is not always the bargain it seems, and the rules on liquids and allowances catch people out. Here are practical tips to shop smart at the airport and avoid an awkward moment at security or customs.
- Duty free is not automatically cheaper, compare prices before assuming a bargain.
- Liquids bought airside can be carried on, but connections and onward security can complicate it.
- Know your allowances for bringing goods back, especially alcohol and tobacco.
Is duty free really cheaper?
Not always. Some items, particularly spirits, fragrance and tobacco, can be cheaper duty free, but plenty are priced similarly to the high street or online. The savvy move is to know the normal price of anything you might buy, so you can spot a genuine bargain rather than assuming the airport label means a deal.
What about the liquid rules?
Liquids bought airside, after security, can be taken onto your flight, which is why you can buy a large bottle of perfume or spirits at the airport. The catch is connections: if you change flights and pass through security again, sealed duty-free bags can sometimes be questioned, so keep the receipt and the tamper-proof bag intact.
Bringing goods back home
There are limits on how much alcohol, tobacco and other goods you can bring into the UK without paying duty, and they changed after Brexit. If you are stocking up abroad, check the current personal allowances so you are not caught out at customs on the way home. It is easy to exceed them on a booze cruise or a wine trip.
Shopping without the rush
The best airport shopping happens when you are not panicking about your gate. Arriving with a comfortable buffer, helped by a well-timed transfer, means you can browse at leisure rather than grabbing something at a sprint. See our lounges guide for the calm-departure angle.