What is Duty free???
Jan 8th, 2003, 06:13 PM
#2
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Betsy,<BR>Duty Free describes goods that are sold Tax Free to overseas travellers - you have to produce your airline ticket to be able to purchase anything.<BR>There are Duty Free Stores at most major airports and cities.<BR>The most popular items sold include alcohol, cigarettes, perfumes, cameras<BR>electrical goods etc.
Jan 8th, 2003, 07:00 PM
#3
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Beware that a lot of the items sold in "Duty Free" shops are more expensive then those that can be found in normal shops(with duties).<BR><BR>Cigarettes & Liquor are probably the best buy at duty free but electronics you can get a better deal elsewhere.
Jan 9th, 2003, 08:18 PM
#4
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Hi Betsy, there are no dumb questions - only dumb answers. There's always someone out there who also wants to know the answer.<BR>You will be limited by what you can take home duty free by the laws of whichever country you live in. For example, you can bring in 2 bottles (2 litres I think) of alcohol per person duty free into Australia but if you bring in more, you may have to pay duty (tax)to Customs. If you do bring in more than is allowed, or are just not sure, make sure you tell customs at the airport. Much better to be upfront about it.<BR>Kay
Jan 10th, 2003, 10:33 AM
#5
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Could I take candy into Australia? I thought I would take some to American Missionaries we know and plan to visit. They have small children and I though they would like that. Is there something else I could take to give to them that they might want from the states that they can't get in Australia?
Jan 10th, 2003, 05:47 PM
#7
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Betsy, most of the varieties of candy which you have in the US are available in shops in Australia; unless the "made in USA" wrapping is important to the gift, you could probably save money and the burden of carrying it by buying it here. If you're coming to Sydney, there's a great candy shop in the Queen Victoria Building.
Jan 11th, 2003, 07:49 PM
#8
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One of the things we brought back for gifts (to Australia) was the miniature Hersheys varieties in packs - we bought them in Longs Drug Store I think. They're a bit different and you certainly can't get them here. I've seen the Hershey's Kisses here but they are not that common.<BR>Kay
Jan 12th, 2003, 10:20 AM
#9
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There's two types of "duty free":<BR>(1) Duty free stores. This is where you can buy stuff before you board your airplane (except in Auckland you can go there on the way into the country). These goods are "duty free" in the sense that the store/company hasn't paid import duty/taxes. That's why these stores are always so big on alcohol, tobacco, perfumes that are not local items. In theory, the prices should be lower in the duty free store than a store out on the street of that country since taxes weren't paid.<BR>(2) Since I'm in the US, I can only speak for the US - when you come back into the US you can bring in a certain amount "duty free" - meaning you don't have to pay Customs duty on goods up to the limit. I think the current limit is either $800 or $1000 per person (you can check the website for US Customs). Goods that are bought in a "duty free" store overseas count toward your personal exemption - just because you bought them in a "duty free" store overseas does not mean they are automatically free when you come back into the US. A big item to buy in duty free stores is alcohol but it depends on which state you're entering in the US as to whether you can bring it in. Some states only allow 1 bottle. In addition to Customs duties, you have to pay IRS tax on alcohol and tobacco.
