Yes, perfume is often cheaper in duty-free shops due to the absence of import taxes (VAT) and lower retail markups, typically offering 10-30% savings compared to high street prices, but it's crucial to compare prices as deals vary, and sometimes local sales or online discounts can beat duty-free, especially for niche brands, say users and retailers.
Whether you're after a memorable gift or a range of bestselling brands at competitive prices, Aelia Duty Free has it all. Enjoy perfume, cosmetics and skincare at up to 20% cheaper than the high street, as well as spirits*, champagne, wine and fashion accessories available to all passengers.
Duty-free shops sell goods without certain local taxes and import duties that normally apply to the same items in domestic retail. That tax exclusion is the primary reason prices are lower -- but several other factors determine the final price and how big the saving actually is.
What is the duty-free allowance for perfume in the UK?
Most travellers can bring other goods into the UK worth up to £390 (e.g. perfume and electrical goods) without paying duty and/or tax in the UK. However, passengers travelling by private plane or boat for pleasure purposes are only entitled to an allowance of £270 worth of goods.
When you fill out the customs form, keep it simple and include the item's value (contents: clothing, books, souvenirs, poster, value $100). For alcohol, perfume containing alcohol, and tobacco valued at more than $5, you will pay a duty.
Can I buy duty-free both on departure and arrival?
No. UK domestic legislation prevents duty free being extended to domestic travellers, so passengers must be leaving the UK in order to be able to purchase goods for their own personal use free of duty and taxes. This has been the law for many years and is unaffected by any Brexit related changes.
The "3-1-1 rule" for perfume (and other liquids) in carry-on luggage means containers must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller, fit into 1 clear, quart-sized, zip-top bag, with 1 bag allowed per passenger, for safe air travel screening. Larger perfume bottles must be packed in checked luggage, and solid perfumes bypass these rules entirely, making them great for carry-ons.
Did you know that is cheaper to buy perfume at the airport duty free shop when traveling? This is simply because of duty-free pricing and that means there are no import taxes or retail markups. This can knock the price down by 10% to 30% percent compared to regular stores.
However, most airport duty-free “bargains” are a mirage. Perfumes, luxury goods and cosmetics are often cheaper at home. So are electronics, and you might have a warranty headache if anything goes wrong with something purchased overseas.
Liquor, cigarettes, and other tobacco products tend to offer the best deals because they're usually heavily taxed. Other items you're likely to find in many duty-free shops include perfumes, gourmet chocolates (especially from Switzerland), electronics, cosmetics, and other beauty items.
The best things to buy duty-free are typically heavily taxed items like liquor, tobacco, perfumes, and cosmetics, which offer significant savings, alongside luxury goods such as watches, jewelry, and high-end electronics, plus unique local gourmet foods or snacks, especially when flying out of regions known for those products (like French skincare or Japanese sweets). Always compare prices beforehand, as savings vary, and research what's available at your specific airport for the best deals.
Is it cheaper to buy perfume on plane or duty-free?
Duty-free means “without tax.” Stores that sell duty-free products are located in airports or other travel hubs. Certain goods — such as alcohol, tobacco, perfume, and cosmetics — are often cheaper in duty-free shops, because these stores don't have to charge value-added tax (VAT) or other consumer tax.
The 30/50/20 perfume rule is a guideline for blending scents, suggesting a ratio of 30% top notes (initial scent), 50% middle/heart notes (main body), and 20% base notes (longevity) to create a balanced fragrance, especially useful for DIY essential oil perfumes where you'd use 3 drops top, 5 drops middle, and 2 drops base for a 10-drop total. This provides a balanced fragrance profile, offering a fresh opening, a stable heart, and a lasting finish, though it's a flexible starting point, not a rigid law.
Can I take a 50ml bottle of perfume in my hand luggage?
All liquid containers in your hand luggage must be under 100ml/100g each (that includes creams, pastes, lotions and gels). Please keep your liquids inside your bag for security screening (a plastic bag is no longer required).
Day vs. Night: For daytime wear, especially in professional settings, 1-3 sprays are generally sufficient. This ensures a subtle presence without being overpowering. For evening events or social gatherings, you can increase to 3-5 sprays to make a more pronounced statement.
Duty-free is worth it for high-taxed items like alcohol, tobacco, and luxury goods (perfumes, cosmetics, high-end electronics), especially if you find unique gift sets or products unavailable at home, but it's often not a deal for snacks, souvenirs, or general items, and prices vary widely by airport and country, so research prices online first. The real savings come from avoiding local VAT/import taxes, but stores can inflate base prices, so compare before buying to ensure you're saving money, not just paying a premium for the airport experience.
Why do they seal your tax free bags? To make sure consumable tax-free products are not be opened until you have left the country so that they can be consumed in your home country.
