Sachin Walls
Duty-free shopping at airports can be a great way to save money on items that are usually highly taxed, such as alcohol, tobacco, fragrances, and cosmetics. However, not all airport purchases are a good deal, and it's important to do your research beforehand to avoid overpriced items. Flight attendants recommend buying snacks and skincare products at the airport, while avoiding souvenirs, neck pillows, bottled water, and headphones, which tend to be overpriced. Some airports offer exclusive deals or specialty items that can make your layover more enjoyable, and shopping at duty-free stores can be a fun way to pass the time while waiting for your flight.
What to buy in an airport
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Snacks | Good value |
| Cosmetics and skincare products | Good value, wider selection, not taxed |
| Alcohol | Expensive, dehydrating |
| Souvenirs | Overpriced, generic |
| Neck pillows | Pricey, exposed to germs |
| Bottled water | Expensive |
| Headphones | Overpriced |
| Duty-free items | Can be good value, exclusive, not taxed |
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Fashion and accessories
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) offers a wide variety of fashion and accessories options across its terminals. From essential items to luxury goods, the shopping landscape at LAX is diverse.
For those interested in high-end fashion, LAX offers a selection of sleek and contemporary designer items. Larchmont Junction carries a variety of luxury brands, including Tom Ford and Le Labo fragrances, Tumi Luggage, and vintage designer handbags. The airport also features a Bartel's Harley Davidson Store, which offers apparel, handbags, and Harley gear.
In addition to luxury items, LAX also has options for those seeking more affordable fashion and souvenirs. The "I Love LA" store, located in Terminal 5, offers a range of souvenirs such as t-shirts, magnets, keychains, and local sports apparel. LAX also has a pop culture and celebrity-themed store that sells trendy items such as t-shirts, hats, mugs, and souvenirs featuring props and memorabilia from TV shows and movies.
Beyond clothing and accessories, LAX also offers a range of beauty and self-care products. Wilshire & Fairfax offers travellers a variety of fragrances, body lotions, and lip glosses, as well as pre-packaged gift sets. The airport also has a duty-free shop, DFS Duty Free, located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which carries perfumes, cosmetics, alcoholic beverages, and chocolates from international brands.
Lastly, for those looking for functional fashion items, LAX is home to InMotion, the largest airport-based electronics retailer in the country. InMotion offers a range of premium electronics and accessories, including noise-cancelling and wireless headphones, speakers, tablets, and mobile accessories.
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Electronics
If you're looking to buy electronics at the airport, you'll likely find a range of options at duty-free shops and electronic stores. Here are some things to keep in mind and potential items to consider:
Duty-Free Shops:
Many airports have duty-free shops that offer a variety of electronics, often including portable and travel-friendly options. These shops typically cater to travellers' needs, so you may find items like headphones, portable chargers, travel adapters, and compact cameras. While duty-free shopping can offer tax advantages, it's important to be cautious as airport prices can be inflated.
Electronic Stores:
Some airports have electronic stores or kiosks, such as Best Buy, that offer a wider range of products. These stores may carry items like smartphones, tablets, laptops, e-readers, and other gadgets. While the prices may initially seem high, some stores offer price-match guarantees. For example, Best Buy offers a price-match guarantee for purchases made at their airport kiosks, allowing you to claim a refund for the difference if you find the same product at a lower price elsewhere.
Security and Screening:
When purchasing electronics at the airport, keep in mind that you may need to remove and separately screen any devices larger than a smartphone during security checks. This includes items like laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles. Make sure all your devices are charged before travel, as those that won't power on may not be allowed through security. Additionally, valuable or fragile gadgets are best carried in hand luggage or insured for travel to avoid potential damage.
Popular Options:
Some popular electronic items to consider buying at the airport include:
- Headphones: Noise-cancelling headphones can be a great investment, especially for long flights or noisy environments.
- Portable Chargers: Keep your devices charged on the go with portable power banks, especially useful if your travel plans involve outdoor activities or areas with limited charging options.
- Travel Adapters: Ensure you can plug in your devices at your destination by purchasing a travel adapter suitable for the local power outlets.
- Compact Camera: If you're looking to capture high-quality photos during your trip, a compact camera can be a worthwhile investment, offering better image quality than a smartphone camera.
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Food and drink
When it comes to food and drink, duty-free shops at airports can offer some good deals, especially on items that are usually highly taxed. Alcohol, for instance, is often cheaper at duty-free shops, and it can be a good idea to buy a bottle or two of your favourite drink to consume during your trip, especially if you are visiting a place where alcohol is expensive. For instance, Keflavik airport in Reykjavik offers the cheapest alcohol in Iceland. However, it is worth noting that alcohol can dehydrate you, which may not be ideal before or during a long flight.
In some countries, duty-free shops offer exclusive items that cannot be found elsewhere, and you can save money on luxury food and drink items such as chocolates, candies, and other confectionery. For instance, World Duty-Free at LHR T5 usually has good deals on champagne during the holiday season. However, it is important to remember that the pricing of duty-free items can vary depending on the location and country, and in some cases, these items may be more expensive than at local shops. For example, Whitakers chocolate in New Zealand is nearly three times more expensive at duty-free shops than in local shops.
It is also worth noting that some airports offer duty-free shopping online, allowing travellers to compare prices and ensure they are getting the best deals. Additionally, some countries allow customers to claim a tax refund if they purchase from certain stores near international zones. Therefore, it is beneficial to do some research and compare prices before making duty-free purchases at the airport.
While food and drink items can be a good buy at airport duty-free shops, it is important to be mindful of the strict rules and limitations on the amount of duty-free purchases that can be brought into certain countries. For example, U.S. Customs and Border Protection allows a tax-free exemption of up to $800 worth of merchandise, including only one litre of alcohol.
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$32.99
Pop culture merchandise
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a great place to shop for pop culture merchandise. The airport has a diverse range of shopping options, from trendy hoodies and hats featuring palm trees to memorabilia from classic and blockbuster films and TV shows. You can also find t-shirts adorned with the iconic Hollywood sign and other LA-style attire.
For those interested in celebrity culture, there are shops offering merchandise related to the latest pop culture and celebrity news, including t-shirts, hats, mugs, and souvenirs. These stores also feature props and memorabilia from TV shows and movies, allowing travellers to embrace their interest in celebrity culture.
LAX also has a variety of specialty stores that reflect American trends, pop culture, and current events. One such store, AMERICA!, offers a carefully curated selection of merchandise that evolves with the market and local experiences. Another store, I Love LA, offers a wide range of souvenirs, magazines, and other items at reasonable prices.
In addition to clothing and memorabilia, LAX also offers a range of travel essentials, snacks, and treats. So, whether you're looking for trendy pop culture merchandise or last-minute travel necessities, LAX has something for everyone.
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Duty-free
Cosmetics and Skincare:
Cosmetic brands like La Mer, SK-II, Kiehl's, Benefit, Lancôme, Clinique, and Estée Lauder have counters in the duty-free shops. You can often find gift sets or discontinued items at great prices. For example, a double set of Estee Lauder Night Repair Serum may be a better deal than buying two individual bottles with tax.
Fragrances:
Perfumes are typically imported and subject to import or "duty" fees. You can usually find better deals on fragrances at duty-free shops.
Alcohol:
Alcoholic beverages, such as whiskey, wine, tequila, mezcal, and local spirits, are often available at duty-free shops. Buying duty-free alcohol is generally considered a good deal.
Luxury Brands and Gifts:
LAX duty-free shops feature luxury brands such as Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Hermès, and Burberry. You can find ready-to-go gifts and first-class essentials, including apparel and accessories.
Other Considerations:
While duty-free shopping can offer tax advantages for international travellers, not all products are necessarily a good deal. Food items, for example, tend to be overpriced at airports, and you may find better prices for electronics and gadgets during sales or from online retailers. It is recommended to price-check and research before making purchases. Additionally, duty-free shops at LAX are not huge, so checking the official website in advance for specific brand locations is suggested.
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Frequently asked questions
The best things to buy at an airport are snacks and cosmetics/skin-care products from the duty-free shops. Duty-free shops are exempt from local import taxes, value-added taxes (VAT) and other taxes and fees, so you can save money on luxury items that are normally highly taxed.
Items that are typically overpriced at airports include alcohol, souvenirs, neck pillows, bottled water, and headphones.
Here are some tips for buying duty-free items at the airport:
- Do your research beforehand to compare prices and understand which brands and items are available.
- Focus on purchasing items that are normally heavily taxed, such as tobacco, fragrances, and liquor.
- Remember that there may be strict limits on how many duty-free purchases you can bring into your home country. For example, U.S. Customs and Border Protection allows a tax-free exemption of up to $800 worth of merchandise, including one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars.
