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Duty Free Limits Around the World

By Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor Sep 15, 2016

Duty free shopping offers the opportunity to avoid paying local taxes on items that are traditionally taxed heavily like cosmetics, tobacco and spirits.

Airports represent a no-man’s land between destinations; the terminals are visited by thousands of people travelling to and from different places every day. So it’s no surprise that duty free is at home here – as long as you’re in the process of leaving the country, you can avoid paying the standard import duty before you go. 

Shoppers love it because when it comes to luxury items or higher quantities of everyday products, it can amount to large savings. As long as you know the duty limits of the destination you’re visiting, you can take advantage of the deals on offer here.

Different countries have different rules – make sure you know what they are before you go shopping. If you go over the limit you may have to pay additional tax, overriding any savings you made in the first place.

Here’s a look at the duty free limits at some popular destinations around the world when arriving from the UK:

European Union

Duty limits in the European Union are standard for UK travellers. Under the rules you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, wine, selected spirits, champagne, fashion, gifts and souvenirs and there is no allowance restriction on tax-free items as long as goods are for personal use.

Australia

  • 50 cigarettes or 50g of tobacco, cigars
  • 2.25 litres of alcoholic drinks including spirits and wine
  • Other goods up to a value of $900 AUD 

Canada

  • 200 cigarettes or 200g of loose tobacco and 50 cigars
  • 1.5 litres of wine
  • 1.14 litres of spirits
  • Gifts to the value of $60 CAD each per gift

China

  • 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars, 500g of tobacco
  • 1.5 litres of alcohol
  • Personal articles to be left in China up to the value of 2000 Yen

Egypt

  • 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200g of tobacco
  • 2 litres of alcoholic drinks including spirits and wine
  • Declare any currency over £500 on arrival

Falkland Islands

  • 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars of 250g tobacco
  • 1 litre of alcohol over 22% volume or
  • 2 litres of alcohol up to 22% volume
  • 2 litres of sparkling or still table wine
  • 10 litres of beer or cider

Gibraltar

  • 200 cigarettes
  • 1 litre of spirits or
  • 2 litres of sparkling and fortified wine
  • 2 litres of wine
  • 50 ml of perfume
  • Personal items up to £32

Iceland

  • 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco
  • 1 litre of spirits and 1 litre of wine
  • 3kg of food (no exceeding a value of 25,000kr) 

India

  • 100 cigarettes or 25 cigars, 125g tobacco
  • 2 litres of spirits or wine
  • Gifts/souvenirs up to the value of 8,000 rupee

Morocco

  • 200g tobacco products
  • 1 bottle of spirits and 1 bottle of wine
  • 150 ml of perfume, 250ml eau de toilette
  • Gifts to the value of 2,000 Dirham 

South Africa

  • 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, 250g tobacco
  • 1 litre of spirits or liqueurs
  • 2 litres of wine
  • 50 ml perfume
  • Personal items up to a value of 5,000 rand

Turkey

  • 400 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250g tobacco
  • 1 litre of alcohol over 22% volume or
  • 2 litres of alcohol up to 22% volume
  • 600 ml perfume
  • 2kg of food products including tea, coffee and confectionary
  • Souvenirs up to the value of €430

United States

  • 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars
  • 1 litre of alcoholic beverages
  • Goods up to the value of $800 USD

 

 

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