Do you find a duty free price tempting when you’re travelling internationally? Have your eye on Chanel perfume or a handbag and waiting to see if it’s cheaper at the airport? Need a last minute gift for your holiday host and think chocolate from duty free could be an easy answer?
On a roundtrip flight from the London Heathrow Airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States, I spent some time comparing specific products based on blog readers’ inquiries over the years.
Initially in 2014 when the currency exchange rate was $1.75=£1, I compared items like Jack Daniels whiskey, champagne, Marlborough cigarettes, and various perfumes to see if duty free is worth it.
On a trip in January 2016, the exchange rate was approximately $1.49=£1. This time I compared different items.
Duty Free Price for Gucci Handbags:
This comparison is very interesting. The Dionysus GG Supreme Shoulder Bag featured below is sold for £1020 ($1488) at London’s Heathrow Terminal 3. That’s the one with the red suede in front. On the Gucci website it’s listed for 1500 Euro (£1119, $1633) The Dionysus Blooms Print Shoulder Bag bag behind it is £1230 ($1794). Online it’s listed as 1800 Euro (£1343, $1960). So, if you’re flying through Heathrow Terminal 3 and fall in love with a Gucci handbag, it’s certainly worth it in comparison to shopping online in the UK.
I could not find a Gucci store in the Atlanta airport international terminal. However, I did find the same Gucci handbags at The Mall at Millenia in Orlando, Florida. The small bag below is £1429 ($2100) and the big bag is £1542 ($2250). It looks like the clear winner here is London’s Heathrow Airport.
Duty Free Price for Chanel Handbags:
When shopping at Chanel at Heathrow Terminal 3, I noticed the prices of these handbags from their Cruise Colletion. The fuschia Chanel handbag is £1415 ($2064. The bigger blue patent leather Chanel bag is £1850 ($2699), and the smaller blue bag is £2104 ($3069). The shoes are £650 ($948). Neither the handbags nor shoes were featured on the Chanel website.
The Duty Free Price for Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum:
- London’s Heathrow- 50ml is £54.50 ($79), a 100ml bottle is £76.80 ($112)
- Selfridges in London- 50 ml is £68 ($99), a 100ml bottle is £96 ($140)
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson- EDP 50ml is £65 ($95), a 100ml is £85 ($125)
- Sephora in the US- 1.7 ounces £68 ($100), 3.4 ounces £90 ($132)
If you love Chanel perfume and are flying through Heathrow airport, it looks like this is where you get the best deal. However, for US readers who have international travel plans elsewhere, and love Chanel perfume, don’t wait until your trip to get the perfume.
Instead, visit Sephora online and consider getting the Chanel travel spray. This means you put it in your checked luggage and not have to be bothered with it the day you fly.
Duty Free Price for Ted Baker Handbags:
Not every Terminal at Heathrow has a Ted Baker. Luckily, Terminal 3 does, but it’s super tiny. However, they did have a few handbags on display. The black tote below is the Shelcon bag and is on the Ted Baker website for £29 ($42) at the time of this blog post. As the tag shows below, it’s £24 ($35) at Heathrow Airport.
It’s really difficult to compare these handbags to American prices because Ted Baker is a British brand. They do sell it at some US department stores, but the selection is extremely limited.
You can take your chances at Heathrow because the prices are better. But, there’s a slim chance the exact handbag you seek may be there the day you travel. For Ted Baker, I absolutely suggest buying a handbag on their website if there’s one you are dying to have. Save the duty free shopping for one that catches your attention the day of your international flight.
The Duty Free Price for Michael Kors:
Now we are going to examine my favourite brand, Michael Kors. People in London always compliment anything I have that’s Michael Kors. For this reason (and because I’ve always LOVED it), I stock up on MK everything whenever I return to my home country, America. These are the items I picked up over the summer, which you can read more about in the Expat Shopping List.
What can I tell you about shopping duty free for Michael Kors? According to a store representative in the Atlanta airport international terminal, they not only sell the bags tax free, but they beat any local competitors by at least 10%.
This makes shopping for a duty free Michael Kors handbag in US airports totally worth it.
However, if you don’t have any international trips planned or just can’t wait for the handbag that’s caught your attention, American readers should visit the Michael Kors selection at Macy’s.com. This is where I buy nearly all of my MK gear. The deals and selection beat anything I’ve seen anywhere. With sales and coupons at Macy’s I got the Fulton Harness Rainboots for £60 ($90) and the Red Asymmetrical-Zip Belted Coat for £87 ($125).
They do have Michael Kors watches at both London’s Heathrow and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport, if you’re curious.
The Duty Free Price for Chocolate:
Chocolate isn’t something I would purchase when travelling from London to my home town Daytona Beach, Florida because I would be afraid it would melt on the second leg of the journey. However, many people found my previous Heathrow Duty Free blog post because they google ‘duty free chocolate.’
So, I snapped a few comparison shots for you at both airports. In the US, the duty free shops are stocked with chocolate that isn’t too appealing to the British, in my experience. At London’s Heathrow, there is definitely a better selection of quality chocolate. The Godiva boxes are unique to London, so they make nice gifts to people who could be hosting you during your visit.
The box below is £15 ($21) for 180g. Of course, the range of chocolate products you’ll find online at Godiva in the UK is certainly more extensive. It’s one of my favourite places to eat chocolate in London.
The savings on Lindor seems good too.
The Duty Free Price for Fortnum and Mason Tea and Biscuits:
Last Christmas, this is the gift I picked from duty free at London’s Heathrow for my mother.
Fortnum and Mason tea is one of the oldest and most reputable teas in England. It’s not available at the Atlanta airport. Americans who want this tea need to purchase it online, or visit the luxury department store on 181 Piccadilly Street in Central London. I found that the tea and biscuits are exactly the same price online at Fortnum and Mason as they are in London’s Heathrow airport.
Duty Free Price for Macbook and Headphones:
I don’t buy electronic products in the UK because they are so expensive compared to US prices. However, I did make my way through an electronics shop in Terminal 3 to show you what’s available.
If you’re living in the US or travelling there, I find the best deals are at BestBuy. Take a look here at how cheap you can get the Macbook Pro.
Further, if you’re shopping for headphones, this is what I found at Heathrow…
The salesperson at the store said the ones above are the most popular for people to buy at the airport while waiting for an international flight. It looks like the Sony h.ear on headphones
run about £20 ($29) cheaper at the airport, rather than on Amazon UK. That seems to be the same with the Ministry of Sound Audio On Headphones and Bose headphones.
However, a GoPro HERO Camera is exactly the same price.
The Duty Free Price for Converters:
Finally, just for last minute fun, I shot a picture of these converters.
With the uncertainty of what can happen with travel plans, especially at airports, I wouldn’t wait to get an electric plug converter until I was at a London airport. But, it’s likely if you forget them for your international trip that you might be able to grab one pre-flight.
Duty Free Price: Final Thoughts
Those are the more popular items that I have found people purhase while duty free shopping. I’d love to hear what’s on your list. Do you look forward to it at the airport? Are your purchases planned or implusive?
If you frequently fly through London’s Heathrow Airport, be sure to read World Duty Free Heathrow- What You Don’t Know before your next trip. It shows offers that are only found in duty free shops. And- there’s a link to a shopping loyalty card for the airport! Also, on the Sunny News YouTube channel, I have a Shopping Guide for London as well as Safety Tips, Visiting Pubs advice, and fun things to do in London.
FAQs
Is perfume cheaper in airport duty free? ›
The duty free shop at the airport has improved a lot in recent years, but it's still more expensive. Also, the shops often give you an extra discount on the marked price, so ask the shop assistant rather than just looking at the tag. Do not buy perfume during any part of your holiday at any point, at any place.
Why is Chanel not in duty free? ›"Everything has been decided a month ago, that Hermes, Chanel and Louis Vuitton will not sell their duty free items in the local market. This is because of their brand image and reputation. They have never allow discounts for their clothes or handbags. They are the superpowers.
Are designer bags cheaper at the airport? ›Shopping designer bags like Chanel, Louis Vuitton or Hermes at Airports are usually the cheapest. It's far better than shopping at the retail stores in the cities.
Which country duty-free is cheaper? ›According to their study, overall, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Singapore and Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) were the airports with the cheapest duty-free stores while Santorini (Greece), Sydney (Australia) and Zurich (Switzerland) were the most expensive.
Should you buy perfumes in the airport? ›Department store perfume
So, in other words, the duty-free shop may be selling what it believes to be the real deal, but it's not. You're far better off buying perfume directly from its manufacturer or in a department store that you trust.
Chanel (/ʃəˈnɛl/ shə-NEL, French: [ʃanɛl] ( listen)) is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1910 by Coco Chanel in Paris. Chanel specializes in women's ready-to-wear, luxury goods, and accessories and licenses its name and branding to Luxottica for eyewear.
Is Chanel cheaper in UK or US? ›According to our research, the UK has won 7 times out of 8. The cost of Chanel bags there is way lower than in the USA. For example, buying Chanel 19 in a British boutique, you will save up to $700! And if you are aiming for Chanel Reissue 2.55, you'll pay $1,000 less for it in the UK.
Is there a limit on how many Chanel bags you can buy? ›If you remember, back in 2021, Chanel has introduced a quota that would limit a customer to make 12 purchases of each category per year. That would mean a customer could purchase up to 12 handbags, up to 12 small leather goods, accessories and so on, per calendar year.
Which country is cheapest to buy luxury bags? ›Europe has long been seen as one of the best places to bag a bargain on designer items from handbags to dresses, and shoes to earrings. According to Vogue, who knows a thing or two about fashion, the cheapest designer bags can be found in the UK, France and Germany.
Is it worth buying duty free? ›The main advantage of duty free shopping is that you can make big savings on items that are often quite pricey. Another great thing about duty free shopping is the chance to try out new products that are often test-marketed by big brands. You may also have access to products that are not available in your home country.
Can I buy duty free at airport? ›
Yes – all passengers travelling outside the UK can purchase duty free products (i.e. liquor and tobacco). They can avail themselves of this opportunity at airports, on ferries and cruise ships and at international railway stations (e.g. St Pancras when travelling by Eurostar).
What is the benefit of duty-free shopping? ›Duty-free shopping allows travelers to purchase items without paying tax on them. In the EU, products purchased in-between countries are taxable, but items you buy while traveling to, or away from, an EU country are duty-refund, and travelers can apply for a refund of the taxes they paid on such products.
How many perfumes can you buy at duty free? ›200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. 1 L of spirits with an alcoholic content of 22% or 2L of spirits containing less than 22 alcohol and 2L of wine. 250ml of eau de toilette or 50ml of perfume.
How many perfume can I take on a plane? ›The FAA limits the total amount of restricted medicinal and toiletry articles, including aerosols, in checked baggage. The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces).
Can I carry perfume in hand luggage? ›Perfume upto 100 ml can be carried in hand baggage. is it same for domestic flights ? same rule for check in bag too ? As advised, 100 ml can be carried in hand baggage for all flights.
What is better Gucci or Chanel? ›If you want a bold, elegant look, then Gucci is your go-to brand. The brand is more intentional about dynamic young people. On the other hand, Chanel has continued to preserve the elegance, classy look, and retro aesthetic.
What is the number 1 luxury brand? ›| 2021 | 2020 | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Porsche |
| 2 | 2 | GUCCI |
| 3 | 3 | Louis Vuitton |
| 4 | 5 | Chanel |
CHANEL competitors include LVMH, Gucci, L'Oréal USA, Harry Winston and Burberry.
Is Chanel cheaper in France than Italy? ›The prices of the Chanel bags in Europe are all the same. There shouldn't be a price difference between France, Germany, Netherlands and Italy.
How much is a Chanel bag in Italy? ›| Chanel Classic Bag | USD | Euro (after tax-refund) |
|---|---|---|
| Chanel Small Classic Bag | $5800 USD | €4849 euro |
| Chanel M/L Classic Flap Bag | $6500 USD | €5334 euro |
| Chanel Jumbo Classic Flap Bag | $7100 USD | €5819 euro |
| Chanel Maxi Classic Flap Bag | $7700 USD | €6260 euro |
Do Chanel bags appreciate in value? ›
Chanel has a culture of making its most iconic bags more expensive yearly. Hence, Chanel bags can increase in value with time. For instance, Chanel 2.55 design has increased in value by about 70% over the past few years. Chanel bags sell for about $6,000 to $9,000 and are only available at Chanel boutiques.
How often can you buy a Chanel bag? ›New Chanel Bag Purchase Limit
What is exactly this new rule introduced by the brand's management? Starting this month (October 2021), each client is allowed to buy only one handbag per year, whether it's online or in a boutique.
Customers are limited to a single purchase of each Chanel bag style, including the Classic Flap (pictured) per year..
Do people still buy Chanel? ›Chanel handbags are highly sought-after, iconic statement pieces, and demand is always higher than supply. Thus, Chanel continues to boost the prices of their most coveted offerings, and consumers will continue to pay. Since the start of the global pandemic, Chanel has boosted bag prices four times.
Which country has the best handbags? ›Italy is famous for their high-quality bag products and Italian leather bag brands are regarded as the best in the world. The global market for handbags was estimated to be over $65,000 million in 2017 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 10% for the next five years to surpass $100,00 million by 2022.
What is the best country to buy designer bags? ›When it comes to European bag designers, though, France (and other eurozone Western European countries–MSRPs are usually the same throughout) is still the best place to buy.
How much do Chanel bags cost in Paris? ›...
Chanel Price Comparison in USA vs France.
| Location | Price | Price in USD |
|---|---|---|
| USA | $6,500 | $6,500 + Tax |
| France | €6,050 | $7,104 |
| Europe | €6,050 | $7,104 |
200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 250g tobacco. 1L wine OR spirits. 170ml perfume. Personal Goods up to value of US$300, plus US$300 good purchased at duty-free shops in airport.
How many perfumes can you buy at duty-free? ›200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. 1 L of spirits with an alcoholic content of 22% or 2L of spirits containing less than 22 alcohol and 2L of wine. 250ml of eau de toilette or 50ml of perfume.
Are perfumes cheaper in Qatar duty-free? ›Perfumes and Cosmetics are cheaper in all the Duty Free shops compared to the local market prices. It will be 15-20% cheaper through out the Duty Free shops in the world.
Are things cheaper in duty-free? ›
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.
What happens if I open my duty free bag? ›Whatever you buy, the clerks at Duty-Free will put in a sealed bag and deliver it to your departure gate. If you open it at the gate or onboard, airline staff will confiscate your purchase, empty the liquor or perfume and throw out your candy or tobacco.
Can I take duty free perfume on a plane? ›If you've gone through security and bought yourself a bottle of something larger than 100ml in the airport, such as alcohol, cosmetics or perfume, you're allowed to take this on your flight provided that it remains sealed.
Are perfumes more expensive in duty free? ›Fragrances are often discounted in duty-free shops, but it's definitely worth doing your research. The same applies to makeup. Many department and specialty beauty stores have online sites, so it's very easy to know right away if you're getting a bargain.
How many perfumes can I carry in my luggage? ›The FAA limits the total amount of restricted medicinal and toiletry articles, including aerosols, in checked baggage. The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces).
Can you put duty free in suitcase? ›If you are changing planes in the US, you will need to put any liquid or gel duty free items in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) in your checked baggage after you clear customs at your point of entry.
What are the duty free rules? ›- The goods imported must be transported and accompanied by you.
- The goods must be for your own use, or a gift, and not for commercial purposes.
- You must declare any goods imported for commercial purposes to a customs officer.
- You cannot share your allowances with other people travelling in your group.
Qatar Duty Free (QDF), a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, is a shopping emporium at the heart of Qatar's award winning Hamad International Airport (HIA), with more than 40,000 square meters of duty-free and concession space and boasts more than 90 luxury and affordable retail outlets, restaurants and cafés.
What can you not bring into Qatar? ›Weapons, firearms and ammunition. Alcoholic beverages. Pork products. Narcotic drugs.
Can you take duty free into Qatar? ›Importing drugs, alcohol, pornography, pork products and religious books and material into Qatar is illegal. All luggage is scanned at Hamad International Airport Arrivals Hall.
Can I buy duty-free at airport? ›
Yes – all passengers travelling outside the UK can purchase duty free products (i.e. liquor and tobacco). They can avail themselves of this opportunity at airports, on ferries and cruise ships and at international railway stations (e.g. St Pancras when travelling by Eurostar).
What is the benefit of duty-free shopping? ›Duty-free shopping allows travelers to purchase items without paying tax on them. In the EU, products purchased in-between countries are taxable, but items you buy while traveling to, or away from, an EU country are duty-refund, and travelers can apply for a refund of the taxes they paid on such products.
How much cheaper is duty-free Louis Vuitton? ›It's no surprise this Parisian airport is packed with shops representing the country's best-known designers, including Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Yves Saint-Laurent, and Louis Vuitton. Look for discounts of about 12 percent, thanks to the duty-free rates.