What to Buy (and Not Buy) at Duty-Free Shops

The temptation of duty-free shops appeals to nearly any vice: The prices of alcohol, tobacco and chocolate are marked down tremendously and lure travelers into the larger-than-life stores, some of which require entrance in order to access departure gates. Some of the deals seem too good to be true (chocolate in bulk!) but some deals do not even seem like deals, with prices similar to retail. So what is worth the splurge in duty-free shops and which product should be bought elsewhere?

Fragrances

In national airports throughout the United States, perfumes and colognes can be slightly cheaper than average retail prices. They make great last-minute gifts, so buy them before you board as prices for such items in other countries can be sky high.

Chocolate

It can be difficult to resist those giant Toblerones and massive bags of M&Ms, but unless the treats come in bulk packaging or unique containers made exclusively for duty-free shops, it may be wiser to buy a small candy bar in a regular gift shop than to splurge on a one-off craving.

Cigarettes

Tobacco carries a hefty tax outside of the airport, so buying cigarettes without the tax saves smokers piles of money. In some states, however, tobacco is not taxed as highly as other states, so do your research to know what kind of deal you are getting.

Alcohol

Buying wine and beer in the countries where it is produced (e.g., French wine, German beer) can be a huge advantage to stocking up at duty-free shops abroad. But if it’s an alcohol you can find imported to the United States, it is best to wait and purchase it back home.