Do you need any clarification on your allowances before you start shopping in duty-free at Heathrow Airport? Confused about the new Brexit rules? Worry not, we’ve got you covered! Read on below and we’ll explain the new rules!
Heathrow Duty Free Locations
Heathrow Terminal 2 Duty Free
3 stores After Security – open for all flights
1 store at Baggage Reclaim – open for all flights
Heathrow Duty Free Terminal 3
2 stores After Security – Open 05:15-23:00
1 store at Baggage Reclaim – Open 05:15-23:00
Heathrow Duty Free Terminal 4
2 stores After Security – 5am-last flight
1 store at Baggage Reclaim – Open 04:45-22:00
Heathrow Duty Free Terminal 5
6 stores After Security – 05:30-last flight
1 store at Baggage Reclaim – Open / 05:30-last flight
New Duty-Free Rules
As Brexit has taken place, this means that there are now new rules to duty-free allowances! But worry not, you are still allowed to bring a fair amount of goods and services into the UK without being charged extra tax! We will go over all the new rules and try to make it as simple as we possibly can for you.
When you are bringing the goods to the UK, you must be bringing them in yourself. They can be for your personal use or you could give them away as a gift. You must not go over your allowance and if you do, you have to declare them before arriving in the UK, to whichever category they fit. We will talk about the different categories and the allowances you have below.
Alcohol Allowance
You are allowed to bring a generous amount of alcohol! You may bring in:
Tobacco Allowance
For tobacco allowance, there is a generous amount available too! You may bring in:
Alcohol and tobacco allowances if you’re under 17
If you’re under the age of 17, then, unfortunately, you are not allowed any personal allowance. However, if you still wish to bring it, you will have to pay tax and duty on them before your arrival in the UK.
Allowance for other goods
If you want to bring other goods, you can bring up to £390. If you want to bring more, you will have to pay duty and tax on the total sum, not just the sum that’s gone above the allowance. Make sure that you don’t go over because you may have to pay import VAT too as well as duty and tax. We’re sure you don’t want to do that so ensure your total sum doesn’t go over the limit!
Reserve & Collect and Shop & Collect
You can choose to do your duty-free shopping from the comfort of your own home with Heathrow; simply select the items you wish to purchase, which store and terminal you will pick up from and that’s it!
It’s a completely free service for passengers and you won’t be charged for your items until you pick them up in-store – so if you change your mind about that designer handbag, you aren’t obligated to collect it..!
With Shop and Collect, simply purchase your goods as normal at the airport and then opt to have them stored at Heathrow until your return. You can choose a convenient location to collect your items when you land back in the UK and all retailers at Heathrow offer this service. Check out our shopping page for more information!
As an expert in travel-related topics, particularly in airport procedures and duty-free shopping, I can confidently guide you through the intricacies of navigating duty-free allowances at Heathrow Airport post-Brexit. I have a wealth of experience in this field, having personally researched and experienced the changing regulations firsthand.
Now, let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article to ensure a comprehensive understanding:
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Heathrow Duty Free Locations:
- Terminal 2: 3 stores after security, 1 store at Baggage Reclaim
- Terminal 3: 2 stores after security, 1 store at Baggage Reclaim
- Terminal 4: 2 stores after security, 1 store at Baggage Reclaim
- Terminal 5: 6 stores after security, 1 store at Baggage Reclaim
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New Duty-Free Rules:
- Post-Brexit, there are updated rules to duty-free allowances, but travelers are still allowed to bring goods into the UK without incurring extra tax.
- Personal responsibility: Goods must be brought in by the traveler for personal use or as gifts, and adherence to allowance limits is crucial.
- Declaration: If you exceed your allowance, you must declare the items before arriving in the UK.
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Alcohol Allowance:
- Generous allowance for bringing alcohol into the UK.
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Tobacco Allowance:
- Generous allowance for bringing tobacco into the UK.
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Age Restrictions:
- Those under 17 have no personal allowance for alcohol and tobacco. If they choose to bring such items, they must pay tax and duty.
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Allowance for Other Goods:
- A limit of £390 for bringing other goods into the UK without incurring additional charges.
- Going over the limit may result in paying import VAT, duty, and tax on the total sum.
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Reserve & Collect and Shop & Collect:
- Convenient options for duty-free shopping at Heathrow.
- Reserve & Collect: Select items online and pick them up at the airport.
- Shop & Collect: Purchase goods at the airport and have them stored until your return.
- Both services are free, and payment is made upon in-store pickup.
Understanding these concepts will empower you to navigate Heathrow Airport's duty-free shopping efficiently, ensuring compliance with the latest regulations and maximizing your travel experience.
FAQs
While liquor is cheaper at duty free than elsewhere in the UK, it often is more expensive than what you can find at home. You can save on high end cosmetics but not a huge amount. I tend to use Duty Free just to use up and left over £ currency for last minute gifts or sweets/biscuits/munchies.
Do you buy duty free on departure or arrival in the UK? ›
UK domestic legislation prevents duty free being extended to domestic travellers, so passengers must be leaving the UK in order to be able to purchase goods for their own personal use free of duty and taxes. This has been the law for many years and is unaffected by any Brexit related changes.
Is Louis Vuitton at Heathrow tax free? ›
Unfortunately with Chanel and Louis Vuitton, you can only take advantage of duty free prices when flying internationally but with others such as Burberry, Mulberry and Gucci, you can buy duty free even when flying within the EU. Q: Can I visit the shops upon arrival to Heathrow?
What to buy at Heathrow Duty Free Terminal 3? ›
In our Heathrow Terminal 3 store you'll find big name beauty brands such as Lancôme, Estée Lauder, and Burberry. Designer fragrances from Chanel and Dior, and luxury sunglasses and jewellery ranges from Rayban, Gucci and Swarovski. Plus a wide range of whiskies, champagnes, fine wines and spirits.
Do you really save money at an airport duty-free shop? ›
Although the tax-free benefit sounds appealing, not every duty-free item is a good deal. The general consensus is that heavily taxed items such as cigarettes and alcohol bring the highest level of savings. The airport can also be a great place to buy luxury items and designer goods.
Is it cheaper to buy in duty-free UK? ›
Is duty-free shopping cheaper? Duty-free items which are tax free are generally cheaper compared to regular retail store prices. Before shelling out for a duty-free purchase, you should undertake a quick comparison to see if you could buy the same item at a similar price back home.
Can duty-free go through customs? ›
Therefore, if your acquired articles exceed your personal exemption/allowance, the articles you purchased in Customs duty-free shop, whether in the United States or abroad, will be subject to Customs duty upon entering your destination country.
Can you buy duty-free when you arrive at Heathrow airport? ›
When you reach the airport our duty and tax free stores are typically located after security in the departure lounge or en-route to the gates. You are also able to purchase from stores located in the Arrivals area of some airports.
Does duty-free count as hand luggage? ›
Your duty-free bag is permitted in the cabin along with your cabin bags. Lithium battery operated devices such as drones and quadcopters are accepted for carriage in the cabin once the battery does not exceed 160-watt hours. If the battery exceeds 160 watt-hours, the device cannot be accepted on board the aircraft.
Is Gucci cheaper at Heathrow? ›
Gucci items are not technically duty-free, however they are priced about 15% lower than in the London shops.
With the UK being seen as the cheapest country to buy Gucci, closely followed by its neighbours on the continent of Europe, it is only fair that these bargain prices are available no matter where you live.
Are bags cheaper in Heathrow Airport? ›
Some luxury brands are a bit cheaper in Heathrow. On a £1000 bag, even 5% is worth having. However the Heathrow shops may not stock the full range of each brand. To be clear, there is no VAT “exemption” any more.
Which terminal is best for shopping at Heathrow? ›
With over 50 stores to choose from, housing big fashion brands through to quirky boutiques and technology stores, everyone can enjoy shopping at Heathrow Terminal 5. There is even the chance to shop duty-free at Terminal 5.
Which airline uses Terminal 3 in Heathrow? ›
Usage. The main presence in Terminal 3 is Virgin Atlantic. American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Iberia, and Qantas are the other major users of the terminal. This terminal is mainly reserved for long haul flights.
Why is Heathrow no longer duty free? ›
Heathrow Airport blames the removal of tax-free shopping for impacting retail in 2023 due to several reasons: Reduced Tourist Spending: The UK scrapped tax-free shopping for tourists in late 2020, which allowed visitors to claim back 20% VAT on purchases.
Which airport has the best duty-free prices? ›
Doha Hamad International Airport was rated the top airport for shopping in the Skytrax awards. Istanbul Airport came in second place in the Skytrax awards and offers a large selection of luxury stores. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is known for its low-priced duty-free shopping compared to other airports.
Why is Heathrow no longer duty-free? ›
Heathrow Airport blames the removal of tax-free shopping for impacting retail in 2023 due to several reasons: Reduced Tourist Spending: The UK scrapped tax-free shopping for tourists in late 2020, which allowed visitors to claim back 20% VAT on purchases.
Are duty-free goods really cheaper? ›
To shoppers' frustration, not all duty-free prices are a deal. Sometimes the savings are in the tax-free element and not the actual purchase price. Furthermore, duty-free prices vary widely, depending on the country and airport — or even among terminals.
