Duty free

Advantages and modalities

"Duty free" means "free of tax". Buying "duty free" means that, in the country in which goods are purchased, you do not pay the taxes otherwise applied by that country.

Les 4 grandes règles du duty free

Duty-free zones

Duty free does not apply between the member states of the European Union. (with certain exceptions, such as Andorra and the Channel Islands).

Duty-free purchases

in airports or seaports
in international zones (during flights or at sea)
before going through customs in border areas.

Limites et franchises

Duty-free shopping is subject to the rules of the country in which you make your purchases. Check the limits and exemptions applied by customs in the country in question.

Exceptions

See the specific regulations (subject to change) on the customs website.

Requesting a removal of duties

Outside of the European Union, you may also request a removal of customs duties for purchases you have made outside of the duty-free zones. The removal of duties may be applied: