dutyfree

If you’ve made a purchase in duty-free, you may want to check ahead of time to see if you’re actually able to use it on board, as there’s one item strictly prohibited

Brits travelling abroad need to stay alert to the items they can and cannot take onboard, but do they know about the rules regarding items they buy at the airport?

Travelling with bottles in any shape or form usually comes with its restrictions, as many airports ask for you to pack liquids in measurements only up to 100ml. However, there are some far stricter rules when it comes to the liquid you’re buying in duty-free – particularly alcohol.

At most airports, you can buy bottles of wine, spirits, beers, and more; sometimes up to a liter of each is sold at discounted prices. And yet, despite being able to make the purchase at the airport, you are strictly prohibited from drinking it or even opening it on the plane.

Duty-free alcohol is generally allowed on board, passing as a form of carry-on luggage, when purchased after getting your security checks. Although it is almost always placed inside a sealed Security Tamper-Evident Bag, paired with the receipt.

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Within aviation law, this bag must remain sealed throughout the whole duration of the flight, a rule that is consistent across all airlines. Passengers must not consume their own duty-free alcohol on the plane, as all alcohol must be purchased from the cabin crew.

If there’s anything else you’ve purchased from duty-free, you will need to ensure it is placed in a separate bag or in your carry-on luggage to avoid it being trapped inside the sealed bag for the duration of the flight.

The rule is consistent, yet each airline may handle people consuming this alcohol differently, with potential fines for those who break the rules.

Jet2 states: “You may not bring on board alcohol for the purposes of consumption whilst on the aircraft. For safety reasons, we restrict the consumption of alcohol on board. Only alcoholic drinks purchased on board may be consumed during the flight. It is an offence to be drunk on any aircraft. Jet2.com reserves the right to serve alcoholic drinks to customers at our absolute discretion.”

After some recent confusion with passengers boarding Ryanair flights, a spokesperson made it clear where they stand when it comes to drinking on board. They said: “We are not ‘banning’ or ‘confiscating’ duty-free alcohol at boarding gates. As per Ryanair’s T&Cs, passengers can carry duty-free alcohol onboard but must not consume it during the flight.”

Across the majority of airlines, when it comes to alcohol consumption, they have a zero-tolerance policy on ‘disruptive behaviour’ and have the right to reject drunken and disorderly passengers from boarding the flight.

Meaning, even if you’re yet to take a swig of your duty-free bottle, you should be wary of how much alcohol you’re drinking within airport bars and restaurants.

As for the duty-free bag itself, this is often allowed as an extra courtesy to take on the flight, provided that it fits under your seat. However, this is typically limited to one bag per person and does not encourage passengers to hop on board with multiple additional bags after a huge shopping spree.

When travelling, it’s important to know what won’t get you in trouble at customs

Travellers could face fines or worse if they overlook an airport ‘rule’ that puts a limit on certain items. It could catch Brits off guard if they end their latest getaway with a last-minute spending spree on various common products or high-end items.

When going to or from the European Union (EU), it is important to understand the regulations regarding the duty-free allowance passengers are permitted. Failing to comply with these restrictions could result in goods being seized, along with potential fines or legal proceedings.

The duty-free allowance applies to both EU and non-EU nationals, including holidaymakers and business travellers. Following Brexit, the UK has been adhering to the regulations for non-EU nationals.

Why is there a duty-free allowance?

Duty-free allowance is the authorised quantity of goods, such as alcohol, tobacco, and gifts, that travellers can bring into a country without incurring customs duty, value-added tax (VAT), or other levies. As a result, people face a strict limit on how much they can observe, or risk being perceived as exploiting the system, reports the Express.

What are the duty-free limits?

Duty-free allowances are split into two categories – restricted and unrestricted goods. Unrestricted goods are those without any special regulations or caps, such as clothing, electronics, or personal belongings, while restricted items are subject to specific limitations, including alcohol, tobacco, and perfume.

The restrictions in place also vary depending on how you’re returning to the UK. Shoppers are often caught out by the deals on offer in airports – but identical rules apply to those travelling by sea.

You’re also unable to pool your allowance with fellow passengers, which means people need to be mindful of their own spending habits. According to ETIAS Visa Europe, Brits returning to the UK via air or sea travel have the following allowances on ‘restricted’ items:

• 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco)
• Four litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer and one litre of spirits or two litres of fortified or sparkling wine
• Other goods up to a value of €430 per person

The thresholds are reduced for non-EU citizens travelling by rail or road. The website explains that travellers should bring no more than:

• 40 cigarettes (or 20 cigarillos or 10 cigars or 50g of tobacco)
• One litre of spirits or two litres of fortified or sparkling wine and four litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer
• Other goods up to a value of €300 per person

ETIAS warned that, when goods go beyond the duty-free allowance, customs duty, value-added tax (VAT), and other taxes may be applied on the excess amount. The total of duties and taxes owed depends on various factors, such as the type of goods, their value, and the country of origin.

A spokesperson said: “To avoid overpaying taxes and duties, travellers should be aware of the duty-free allowances for the type of goods they are bringing into the EU. They should accurately declare all goods they are bringing in and their value.

“If unsure about the value of an item, travellers can check online or with customs officials. Additionally, travellers should keep all receipts and documentation to show the value of their goods.”

In other news, holidaymakers could face fines of up to £5,000 for bringing certain goods into England, even if those items were purchased at a duty-free price. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) released an update at the end of March, calling on travellers to take this “simple step” to protect against diseases.