Guide to UK Duty Free Shopping

duty free shopping The larger airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick are a veritable shoppers paradise, with a wide variety of shops from designer brands to high street stores in its terminals.

Here is some useful information to keep in mind when shopping for duty and tax-free goods, as well as what to expect with UK customs when bringing these items in and out of the country.

Duty Free and Tax Free

Since July 1999 there have been changes made concerning the Duty-Free and Tax Free laws which apply to EEC countries. This, however, does not stop the individual from buying a wide range of Duty and Tax-Free goods when traveling abroad.

Flying within the European Union*
Individuals are entitled to Tax Free prices on perfumes, cosmetics and toiletries, electrical goods, fashion items and some accessories, gifts items, jewelry and souvenirs.

Flying outside the European Union*
Individuals are entitled to the full allowance of goods at Tax and Duty Free prices.

Traveling from the European Union* to the UK
Individuals do not have to pay any tax or duty on goods bought in another EU country as long as the items are for personal use, tax was included in the price when one purchased the items and have been taken to the UK by the individual traveling.

When large quantities of alcohol and/or tobacco are brought into the UK, a Customs Officer may ask about the purposes for which you bought the goods. This is usually the case if an individual appears at the airport with more than:

110 litres of beer
10 litres of spirits
90 litres of wine
20 litres of fortified wine i.e.: port or sherry
3 kg of smoking tobacco
3200 cigarettes
400 cigarillos
200 cigars
The following products are classed as Duty Free items:
- Liquor
- Tobacco
- Pure Perfume
All other items are classed as Tax Free.

Traveling from outside the EU to the UK

Individuals are allowed to bring in the following, provided they are traveling with the items and they are intended solely for personal use:

200 cigarettes; or 100 cigarillos; or 50 cigars; or 250 gms of tobacco
2 litres of still wine
1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% volume; or 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other liqueurs
60cc/ml of perfume
250cc/ml of eau de toilette
£145 worth of all other goods