Kefalonia Airport: Can You Buy Cigarettes?

can you buy cigarettes at kefalonia airport

If you're travelling through Kefalonia Airport, you may be wondering whether you can buy cigarettes there. The short answer is yes, you can. The airport has a duty-free shop in the departure lounge that sells tobacco goods, including cigarettes. However, it's worth noting that there are limits on the amount of tobacco you can purchase duty-free, especially if you're travelling within the EU. Outside of the EU, travellers may be able to take advantage of duty-free prices, but it's always a good idea to check the customs regulations of your destination country before you travel.

Characteristics Values
Availability of cigarettes Yes, cigarettes are available at the Hellenic Duty Free Shops at Kefalonia Airport
Price €39 outside of duty-free, €27 in duty-free
Limitations EU countries may limit the number of cigarettes brought in from other EU countries that do not charge a minimum level of excise duty. The limit cannot be lower than 300 cigarettes.
Other goods Perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery, spirits, electronics, toys, fashion accessories, jewellery, watches, sunglasses, liquor, etc.

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Hellenic Duty-Free Shops at Kefalonia Airport

Hellenic Duty-Free Shops is the leading travel retailer in Greece, with 115 stores in 46 points across the country, including 22 airports. The Hellenic Duty-Free Shop at Kefalonia Airport "Anna Pollatou", located in the Departures terminal, offers a wide range of products at competitive prices, thanks to the tax exemption.

The shop has a cosy and refurbished environment, offering well-known brands of perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery, Hellenic gourmet food, toys, electronics, tobacco, spirits, fashion items like sunglasses, watches, accessories, and more. The prices of cigarettes in Greece are controlled by the government, and they typically range from 3.5€ to 4.7€ for a pack of 20 cigarettes, depending on size and strength.

The Kefalonia Airport website highlights the convenience of their Reserve & Collect service, where travellers can reserve products from home and collect them at the airport. This service allows travellers to save time and money when purchasing tax-free products.

It is important to note that duty-free shopping rules may vary for EU and non-EU members. For example, prior to Brexit, travellers from the UK did not have access to duty-free shopping when travelling within the EU. However, now they do, but with limited quantities. Non-EU members can take advantage of the duty-free shopping at Kefalonia Airport, enjoying the convenience of purchasing tax-free products.

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EU law and duty-free allowances

EU law states that travellers entering the EU from a non-EU country can bring goods free of VAT and excise duties as long as they are for personal use and within certain quantity limits. This also applies to travellers entering the EU from the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, and other territories where EU rules on VAT and excise do not apply. The total allowance of tobacco and alcohol that can be carried varies depending on the EU country being entered and the traveller's age. For example, travellers under 17 years old are not entitled to a duty-free allowance for tobacco or alcohol. Additionally, travellers entering the EU from outside the EU can carry other goods up to a value of €300, or €430 if travelling by air or sea.

The EU allows duty-free shops at airports and on board ferries and aircraft, but not on trains or buses. These shops sell a set allowance of goods that are exempt from VAT and/or excise duties. However, the EU plans to abolish duty-free sales within the Community, as they distort competition and cause harmful tax competition, which reduces job creation.

Kefalonia Airport (EFL) has duty-free shops that sell tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery, spirits, electronics, toys, sunglasses, watches, and accessories. However, there is no duty-free shopping for travellers going from one EU country to another. Therefore, travellers entering or leaving the EU through Kefalonia Airport should be aware of the EU's duty-free allowances and declare any tobacco or alcohol that exceeds the personal-use thresholds.

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Cigarette prices in Greece

It is unclear whether cigarettes can be purchased at Kefalonia Airport. However, tobacco is available at the airport's Hellenic Duty-Free Shops. According to EU law, travellers entering or leaving the EU with goods for personal use are exempt from VAT and excise duties. However, this exemption does not apply to travellers under 17 years old, who are not allowed to carry tobacco or alcohol in any amount.

In Greece, the price of a package of cigarettes is estimated to be around €4.20 to €4.50. Prices may vary slightly depending on the brand and the retailer, but they are generally fixed across the country. This means that most retailers sell the same pack of cigarettes at the same price, with little room for discounts.

Greece has a significant tobacco epidemic, with an adult smoking prevalence of 29.6%. The tobacco industry aggressively markets its products to lower-income populations and youth in the country, and smoking has severe negative health and economic repercussions for Greece. On average, a smoker in Greece must spend 2.3% of GDP per capita to buy 100 packs of the most popular cigarettes in a year. In 2023, approximately 18,179,000,000 cigarettes were produced in Greece, contributing to the country's public and fiscal health issues.

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Buying duty-free as an EU member

As an EU member, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to buying duty-free goods. Firstly, duty-free purchases within the EU are only possible if you are travelling to or from a non-EU country. This means that if you are travelling solely within the EU, duty-free shopping is not applicable.

When travelling to an EU country from a non-EU country, you can bring goods free of VAT and excise duties for personal use within certain limits. These limits vary depending on the country you are entering and your mode of transportation. For example, when entering the EU, you can bring up to €430 worth of goods by plane or ship and up to €300 by other means of transportation. For tobacco products, the limit is typically 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of smoking tobacco.

It's important to note that each European country sets its own VAT rates, so the prices of duty-free goods can vary significantly between countries and airports. Additionally, certain duty-free items may be banned in specific countries, so it's always a good idea to check the customs laws of your destination before purchasing duty-free goods.

In the case of Kefalonia Airport (EFL) in Greece, there is a duty-free shop that offers a range of products, including perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery, tobacco, and spirits. However, as Greece is an EU member state, the duty-free shopping rules mentioned above would apply.

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Buying duty-free as a non-EU member

If you are entering the EU from outside, you can bring in goods free of VAT and excise duties for personal use within certain limits. The same applies if you are travelling from the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, or other territories where EU rules on VAT and excise do not apply. The EU law states that you do not have to prove that the goods are for your personal use if you are carrying less than a certain amount. This limit cannot be lower than 300 cigarettes.

Each country has a different limit on the amount of duty-free produce you can bring in. For example, in Germany, you can bring up to 200 cigarettes and four litres of non-sparkling wine, whereas in Switzerland, you can bring in five litres of alcohol below 18% and 250 cigarettes. In Spain, you can bring in two litres of wine duty-free. If you exceed these thresholds, you will have to pay tax on your purchases.

If you are returning to an EU country such as France from a non-EU country, you will have to pay taxes and customs duties if you bring back more than the authorised quantities for certain products, even when purchased duty-free. For example, you cannot bring back more than 200 cigarettes or one litre of alcohol of 22% ABV or stronger.

In the US, travellers may import tobacco products only in quantities not exceeding the amounts specified in the personal exemptions for which the traveller qualifies (not more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars if arriving from other than a beneficiary country and insular possession). Tobacco products are typically purchased in duty-free stores, on sea carriers operating internationally, or in foreign stores.

Kefalonia Airport (EFL) has a duty-free shop that sells tobacco, spirits, perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery, toys, electronics, sunglasses, watches, and accessories.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can buy cigarettes at Kefalonia Airport. There is a "duty-free" shop at the airport in the departure lounge.

Cigarette prices in Greece are controlled by the government, with prices ranging from €3.5 to €4.7 for 20 cigarettes, depending on size and strength.

If you are travelling within the EU, there is no duty-free shopping. EU countries may limit the number of cigarettes you can bring with you from certain other EU countries which do not yet charge the minimum level of excise duty. This limit cannot be lower than 300 cigarettes. If you are entering the EU from outside, you can bring goods free of VAT and excise duties for personal use.

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