Duty Free will be reduced from January 2021

[Newc]

Contrary to popular expectations, duty free allowances for UK travellers will be cut from January rather than expanded.

Only alcohol and tobacco will be tax free. Everything else will be VAT liable, including all airport shopping. Tax reclaim for tourists is also being scrapped, so I guess Bicester outlet mall is going to be a lot quieter.

Details at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/duty-free-exten...

For inbound there will be personal drinks and smokes allowances plus approx £400 of other goods.

[JagLover]

Got to pay for lockdown somehow I suppose!

[survivalist]

Ending the tax free sales of electronics and clothing will be interesting. As I understand it, most shops didn't pass the saving onto the consumer and justified it by citing the high costs of operating retail outlets in airports. Will they try and increase prices to cover the gap? Can't see that working as while I'm happy not to make a massive saving on a GoPro/Phone/Pair of sunglasses, I doubt I'd pay a premium for the privilege of a smaller selection.

Not that airport retailers will be doing well in the foreseeable future anyway.

[DaveCWK]

Maybe I look at the wrong things, but everytime I've been bored & strolled round duty free it's all looked far more expensive than in the regular shops anyway?

[alpertonian]

Perhaps this will have the fantastic consequence of reducing retail space in airports and turning them back into buildings designed for the flow of people, rather than the shopping centres they have become. Bring it on!

[alpertonian]

Perhaps this will have the fantastic consequence of reducing retail space in airports and turning them back into buildings designed for the flow of people, rather than the shopping centres they have become. Bring it on!

[anonymous-user]

DaveCWK said:

Maybe I look at the wrong things, but everytime I've been bored & strolled round duty free it's all looked far more expensive than in the regular shops anyway?

Same here.

Whenever I’ve looked at stuff in duty free, it still seems more expensive than if I bought it on the internet.

I don’t think I’ve bought anything in an airport for years apart from a sandwich/drink/newspaper etc

[irc]

Lord Marylebone said:

DaveCWK said:

Maybe I look at the wrong things, but everytime I've been bored & strolled round duty free it's all looked far more expensive than in the regular shops anyway?

Same here.

Whenever I’ve looked at stuff in duty free, it still seems more expensive than if I bought it on the internet.

I don’t think I’ve bought anything in an airport for years apart from a sandwich/drink/newspaper etc

Maybe the govt have noticed VAT savings weren't going to the customer and thought we'll have that tax then if the customer iss't seeing the benefit.

I've never even bought much booze at airport duty free. I've had savings as big leaving the SNP Republic of Scotland and buying Scottish whisky in Berwick.

[fizz47]

Electronics prices in Heathrow airport was shockingly bad value.

The biggest savings were found in some of the designer clothing stores like Chanel, Gucci and LV or stores where sales are non existent or very rare. Their turover runs into multiple $M....

[hutchst]

How are we supposed to get 2 cases of red wine into the overhead lockers?

We'll need bigger planes.

[sugerbear]

JagLover said:

Got to pay for lockdown Brexit somehow I suppose!

efa

[CanAm]

alpertonian said:

Perhaps this will have the fantastic consequence of reducing retail space in airports and turning them back into buildings designed for the flow of people, rather than the shopping centres they have become. Bring it on!

And especially those where you have no choice but to navigate the maze that is Duty Free in order to reach Departures.

[RizzoTheRat]

Lord Marylebone said:

DaveCWK said:

Maybe I look at the wrong things, but everytime I've been bored & strolled round duty free it's all looked far more expensive than in the regular shops anyway?

Same here.

Whenever I’ve looked at stuff in duty free, it still seems more expensive than if I bought it on the internet.

I don’t think I’ve bought anything in an airport for years apart from a sandwich/drink/newspaper etc

I used to be through Gatwick and Schiphol most weeks and bought my headphones, phone and a Bluetooth speaker at airport shops after researching prices, but got my Garmin watch and laptop from UK shops as they were cheaper than the airport. These days it's so easy to check the prices I'm surprised people do buy the things that are overpriced.

[survivalist]

CanAm said:

alpertonian said:

Perhaps this will have the fantastic consequence of reducing retail space in airports and turning them back into buildings designed for the flow of people, rather than the shopping centres they have become. Bring it on!

And especially those where you have no choice but to navigate the maze that is Duty Free in order to reach Departures.

The issue is that the lost income from retail rents will be made up elsewhere. Most airports make very little from the business of planes taking off and landing.

[anonymous-user]

RizzoTheRat said:

I used to be through Gatwick and Schiphol most weeks and bought my headphones, phone and a Bluetooth speaker at airport shops after researching prices, but got my Garmin watch and laptop from UK shops as they were cheaper than the airport. These days it's so easy to check the prices I'm surprised people do buy the things that are overpriced.

I totally agree.

When I’m standing looking at something in a shop with a view to buying it, the first thing I do is whip out my phone and see how much it is online.

If it’s a similar price or within a few quid (depending what it is) then I’ll buy it in the shop. If it’s notably cheaper on the internet, then I’ll buy online.