Cigarettes At The Airport: Cheaper Or Expensive?

Whether cigarettes are cheaper at the airport depends on where you are travelling to and from, and the prices of cigarettes at your destination. In some countries, tobacco is heavily taxed, so purchasing cigarettes at the airport duty-free can often be a good deal. However, this is not always the case, and it is recommended to do your research before buying. For example, in one instance, a pack of cigarettes was found to be half the price in Texas than at the airport. In another instance, cigarettes were found to be much cheaper at a resort in Tenerife than at the airport.

Cigarettes are cheaper at the airport in some countries

Cigarettes are among the products that are usually cheaper at the airport than on the high street. However, this is not always the case, and it is worth doing some research before buying. For example, in the UK, a survey found that only 6% of people believed that duty-free shops offer the best prices for cigarettes, while 52% knew they could find a better price online or on the high street.

In some countries, tobacco is heavily taxed, so purchasing cigarettes at the airport duty-free can often be a good deal. For example, in Grenada, Marlboro cigarettes cost $31 at the airport, which is about half the price in Texas. In Ireland, you can pick up 10 packets of Marlboro Gold (200 cigarettes) for €52, or 400 cigarettes for €88, at the airport. In a local newsagent, the same cigarettes would cost €122 for 200 and €244 for 400.

However, in other places, cigarettes may be cheaper outside of the airport. In Tenerife, for example, cigarettes are much cheaper in the resort than at the airport. In one case, a packet of 200 cigarettes cost €32.50 at the airport, but €23 in a shop in the resort. In another instance, a packet of 200 cigarettes cost €23 in a shop, while the airport duty-free price was €32.50.

In some cases, the quality of cigarettes may differ depending on the country. For example, in Spain and Tenerife, the tobacco is said to be of lower quality and "unsmokable" compared to English cigarettes.

Cigarettes are cheaper in local shops in certain countries

Cigarettes are subject to excise taxes, which vary from country to country. This means that in some countries, cigarettes may be cheaper in local shops than at the airport.

For example, in Grenada, local Caribbean cigarettes are much cheaper than those found at the airport. Similarly, in Tenerife, cigarettes are reported to be cheaper in the resort than at the airport. In this case, it is recommended to buy cigarettes from Spanish-style shops all over Tenerife or a shop called Harry's in Golf del Sur.

However, in other countries, cigarettes may be cheaper at the airport. For instance, in Ireland, cigarettes are significantly cheaper at the airport than in local newsagents.

Therefore, it is essential to research the cigarette prices in your specific country or destination to determine whether it is more cost-effective to purchase them at the airport or from local shops.

Duty-free shopping is only available for passengers flying outside the EU

Duty-free shopping for passengers flying outside the EU

Duty-free shopping is a common feature of international travel, allowing travellers to purchase certain items without paying duty or taxes. These shops are commonly found in international airports, border towns, ports, cruise ships, and on board international flights.

Duty-free shops sell goods without the addition of duty, which includes taxes, fees, or VAT. The duty-free concept was established to prevent travellers from paying tax twice on items purchased abroad. For example, if you buy a bottle of wine in France and bring it back to Canada, you may have to pay tax on it in both countries. Duty-free shops cater to customers leaving a country, and the items purchased must be taken out of the country and are for export only.

Who is eligible for duty-free shopping?

Duty-free eligibility depends on your destination. Passengers flying outside the European Union are eligible for duty-free goods. Those travelling within the UK or EU will have to pay the applicable tax and VAT.

Duty-free shops offer a range of items, including alcohol, tobacco, fragrances, cosmetics, luxury fashion accessories, and electronics. The most significant savings can be made on heavily taxed items like tobacco, designer fragrances, and liquor.

Duty-free items are generally cheaper than regular retail prices since they are exempt from taxes. However, it is essential to compare prices to ensure you are getting a good deal. Prices can vary between different duty-free shops and retailers, so it is worth shopping around.

Tips for duty-free shopping:

• Research duty-free offerings at your departure and layover airports to find the best deals.
• Focus on purchasing heavily taxed items to maximise your savings.
• Compare prices with local shops or online retailers to ensure duty-free items are a bargain.
• Avoid impulse buying; plan your purchases in advance.
• Be mindful of duty-free restrictions and allowances, which vary by country.
• Display your boarding pass when making a purchase, as this informs the retailer of your destination and purchase allowance.

Due to Brexit, duty-free policies for travellers between the UK and the EU have changed. As of January 1, 2021, travellers flying from the UK to the EU are no longer permitted to purchase duty-free items. However, travellers from the EU to the UK can still take advantage of duty-free shopping.

Duty-free shops don't always offer the best deals

The "'duty' avoided when shopping duty-free is the tax in effect where the airport is located. In the US, this is usually a value-added tax (VAT), while in other countries, it may be a local import tax. In the US, duty-free shops allow travellers to avoid state and local sales taxes and/or the federal excise tax on certain products.

Why duty-free doesn't always mean cheaper

Airport duty-free shops do not simply remove the tax from the price of their products. Instead, they aim to be reasonably competitive with shops in the local area. However, duty-free shops have to pay retail overhead and a royalty to the airport, so the markups can still be high.

When returning to the US after a foreign trip, the best duty-free deals are usually on items that are subject to a stiff US excise tax or tight manufacturer price controls. This includes liquor, tobacco, cosmetics, and fragrances.

Electronics, cameras, and watches are often cheaper online or at non-airport shops than at duty-free shops.

How to get the best deal

It's worth doing your research before flying to know whether you might pick up a bargain at the airport or not. Compare prices online and on the high street, and don't forget to factor in the cost of getting to a non-airport shop.

Cigarettes are subject to stiff excise taxes, so they usually offer a good deal at duty-free shops

Cigarettes are subject to stiff excise taxes, so they are usually cheaper at duty-free shops. However, this is not always the case, and it is worth doing your research before buying. For example, in some countries, tobacco is heavily taxed, so purchasing cigarettes at the airport duty-free can often be a good deal. On the other hand, in countries like the UK, tobacco is already expensive, and duty-free cigarettes may not offer a significant discount.

The price of cigarettes at duty-free shops varies depending on the airport and the brand. For instance, a pack of Marlboro Gold cigarettes at the Grenada airport costs $13 per pack, while Marlboro cigarettes in Texas cost about $31 per pack. In another example, a pack of Marlboro Gold cigarettes (200 cigarettes) costs €52 at the Dublin Airport, while the same pack costs €122 at a local newsagent in the city.

In general, it is recommended to buy tobacco in Asia, where it tends to be the cheapest. For example, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok are known for having the best prices on tobacco products. Additionally, some countries allow arriving international travelers to shop at duty-free shops before leaving the airport, but this varies by country.

When purchasing cigarettes at the airport, it is important to be mindful of the duty-free limits. These limits vary by country, but as an example, returning travelers to Ireland are allowed to bring 200 cigarettes and one liter of alcohol.

Frequently asked questions