While waiting for your flight, you find an unbelievable duty-free deal on your favourite cognac. You eagerly buy two litre bottles, only to find customs officers at your arrival destination demanding an arm and a leg because you’ve gone over the one-litre limit.
Customs regulations vary wildly between destinations. Avoid this frustration with this table of duty-free exemptions across Asia-Pacific.
Tips to get the best duty-free deals:
- Do your research and compare prices between the airports you’ll be travelling to for the best deal. Websites like dutyfreebuzz.com make it easy to compare prices on specific products at certain airports.
- Join a duty-free loyalty programme. For example, T Galleria DFS has a Loyal T programme offering points for purchases made. Higher tiers offer benefits such as product delivery to your hotel or complimentary car services. Over in Singapore, the Changi Rewards programme offers 50 points on enrolment, and Platinum members can convert points to Singapore Airlines’ Krisflyer miles.
- Utilise your frequent flyer programme – Emirates Skywards members can redeem miles for duty-free products at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International.
- Shop online to maximise efficiency and avoid queues with Lotte Duty Free at Incheon Airport. Changi’s ishopchangi also allows customers to return the product within 30 days for a full refund or exchange.
- Pre-ordering online can also open up additional deals: The JR Duty Free at Brisbane Airport currently has a “buy one, get one half price” offer for online orders, while at Narita Airport in Tokyo, customers pre-ordering items at the FaSoLa online shopping platform enjoy a 5 per cent discount.
- Look out for vouchers and promotions – Osaka Kansai International Airport currently has a 5 per cent discount available for cosmetics, liquor, tobacco and souvenirs.
