Lois Larson
Berlin Schönefeld Airport was the secondary international airport of Berlin, Germany. It was located 18km southeast of Berlin, near the town of Schönefeld in the state of Brandenburg. The airport was previously made up of four terminals, A, B, C, and D, which were later renamed K, L, M, and Q. Berlin Schönefeld Airport offers duty-free shopping, where travellers can purchase goods exempt from certain local or national taxes and duties. These goods are typically fragrances, cosmetics, jewellery, liquor, tobacco, and travel-related merchandise.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Schönefeld, 18 km southeast of Berlin, Germany |
| IATA Code | SXF |
| ICAO Code | EDDB, ETBS |
| Terminals | K, L, M, and Q (formerly A, B, C, and D) |
| Airlines | Aeroflot, easyJet, Germanwings, Ryanair, TUIfly, Clickair, Continental Airlines, Eurowings |
| Duty-Free Shops | Yes, located in Terminals K and L (formerly A and D) |
| Other Amenities | Newsstands, fast food restaurants, airline lounge, Hugo-Junkers-Lounge for business travelers, WiFi |
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What You'll Learn
Berlin Schönefeld Airport's history
Berlin Schönefeld Airport was the secondary international airport of Berlin, Germany. Located 18 kilometres southeast of Berlin, it was the smaller of the city's two airports, serving as a base for easyJet and Ryanair. In 2017, the airport served 12.9 million passengers, mainly flying to European metropolitan and leisure destinations.
The airport has its roots in 1946 when the Soviet Air Forces moved to Schönefeld from Johannisthal Air Field. The following year, the Soviet Military Administration in Germany approved the construction of a civilian airport at the site. This was due to a stipulation in the Four Power Agreement following World War II, which banned German carriers from participating in air transport to Berlin. Only American, British, French, and Soviet airlines were permitted. As Schönefeld Airport was located outside Berlin's city boundaries, East German flag carrier Interflug could use it, while West German Lufthansa was denied access to airports in Berlin.
Berlin Schönefeld Airport was the major civil airport of East Germany (GDR) and the only airport of the former East Berlin. It saw a major increase in passenger numbers in recent years due to the opening of bases for easyJet and Germanwings. In 2015, Ryanair also established its sixth German base at the airport, adding 16 new routes.
Following German reunification in 1990, operating three separate airports (Schönefeld, Tegel, and Tempelhof) became increasingly costly. This led to the decision to build a single, more efficient airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, at the site of Schönefeld Airport. The new airport was initially scheduled to open in late 2012, but due to issues with the fire alarm/safety system, the opening was postponed to November 2020. During this time, Schönefeld Airport underwent extension work, with Terminal K being extended by approximately 600 square metres and a new arrival terminal, Terminal M2, being built. On 25 October 2020, the Schönefeld name and IATA code ceased to exist, marking its closure as an independent airport.
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What is duty-free?
Berlin Schönefeld Airport was the secondary international airport of Berlin, Germany. It was located 18 km southeast of Berlin, near the town of Schönefeld in the state of Brandenburg. The airport had four terminals, A, B, C, and D, which were later renamed K, L, M, and Q. Terminal Q was used exclusively for security checks. Schönefeld Airport offered various facilities, including duty-free shops, newsstands, fast food restaurants, and an airline lounge.
Duty-free shops are retail outlets that sell goods exempt from certain local or national taxes and duties. The understanding is that the purchased items will be taken out of the country, and any applicable duties and taxes will be paid in the destination country. Duty-free shopping is a perk of international travel, allowing travellers to purchase items such as liquor, chocolate, perfume, cigarettes, and cosmetics without paying taxes. These shops are commonly found in international airports, sea terminals, and onboard cruise ships and airplanes.
The concept of duty-free shopping was introduced in 1947 at Shannon Airport in Ireland, catering to transatlantic passengers travelling between Europe and North America. Today, duty-free shops are prevalent worldwide, with the Asia-Pacific region contributing 35% of global duty-free sales, followed by Europe at 34% and the Americas at 23%.
Duty-free regulations vary depending on the country of residence, travel destination, and length of stay. In the United States, for example, travellers must declare any purchases made abroad by filling out a U.S. Customs form. It is important to note that some items, like alcohol and cigarettes, may be restricted in quantity, and certain foods may not be allowed to pass through customs. Additionally, duty-free shops may have high markups on their products, so it is essential to compare prices and be aware of exemption limits.
Overall, duty-free shopping at Schönefeld Airport and other international travel hubs offers travellers the convenience of purchasing goods without paying certain taxes. However, it is important to be mindful of any quantity restrictions and customs requirements when taking these items into another country.
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Where to find duty-free shops at Schönefeld Airport
Berlin Schönefeld Airport (SXF) was the secondary international airport of Berlin, Germany, located 18km southeast of the city. The airport was previously known for its lack of facilities compared to other international airports. However, it did have some shops, including duty-free stores.
The airport consisted of four terminals: K, L, M, and Q, which were previously known as Terminals A, B, C, and D. Terminal Q had no check-in facilities and was used exclusively for security checks and airside boarding gates.
To find the duty-free shops at Schönefeld Airport, look for the shops located in Terminals K and L, previously known as Terminals A and B. These terminals are about 400 meters from the S-Bahn station, with trains running to the city's central stations.
At the duty-free shops, you can find a range of products, including alcohol, cigarettes, and cosmetics. The airport also has other shops, such as bookstores, souvenir shops, and travel accessory stores.
In 2020, Schönefeld Airport ceased to exist as an independent airport, and its infrastructure was incorporated into the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport. However, the information provided here should still give you a good idea of where to find duty-free shops in the new configuration.
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What you can buy duty-free
Berlin Schönefeld Airport was the secondary international airport of Berlin, Germany. The airport consisted of four terminals: A, B, C, and D, which were later renamed to K, L, M, and Q. While the airport did not have as many facilities as many other international airports, it did feature shops, including duty-free shops, newsstands, and a few fast-food restaurants.
When it comes to duty-free shopping, passengers can typically expect to find a variety of items exempt from local taxes. Duty-free shops at airports around the world stock their shelves with international brands and local products. Here are some examples of what you can typically buy duty-free:
- Fragrances and Beauty Products: Duty-free shops often offer a range of fragrances, perfumes, and exclusive beauty and skincare products from renowned brands.
- Alcohol and Tobacco: Spirits, liquor, wine, and tobacco products are commonly available duty-free. You can find premium spirits, such as Chivas Regal, Glenlivet, and Absolut, as well as fine wines and local specialities.
- Chocolate and Confectionery: Duty-free shops usually have a selection of chocolates, including exclusive or XXL formats, and other confectionery items.
- Watches and Jewellery: You can often find duty-free shops offering watches from brands like Casio, Rolex, and Swatch, as well as jewellery and accessories.
- Electronics: Some airports offer duty-free electronics, such as headphones, portable speakers, or travel adapters.
- Gifts and Souvenirs: You can typically find a range of gifts and souvenirs, such as pens, notebooks, tumblers, scented candles, and local specialities unique to the region.
It is worth noting that duty-free allowances and product availability may vary by airport and country. Additionally, while duty-free goods are exempt from local taxes, they may still be subject to taxes in your destination country, so it is advisable to check the regulations and limits for your particular journey.
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How to pay at duty-free shops
Berlin Schönefeld Airport was the smaller of Berlin's two airports and served as an operating base for easyJet and Ryanair. The airport consisted of four terminals: A, B, C, and D, which were later renamed K, L, M, and Q. Terminal Q was used exclusively for security checks. The airport offered several facilities, including duty-free shops, newsstands, fast-food restaurants, and an airline lounge.
Duty-free shops are located in international airports, border towns, ports, cruise ships, and on board international flights. They offer a range of items, including alcohol, tobacco, fragrances, confectionery, luxury fashion accessories, electronics, cosmetics, and more. These items are typically exempt from import, value-added, and sales taxes, making them attractive to travellers. However, it's important to note that duty-free shopping may not always offer the best deals. Prices can vary, and some items may be cheaper at regular stores or online.
- Research and Compare Prices: Before travelling, research the prices of items you're interested in at duty-free shops and regular stores or online retailers. Compare these prices to ensure you're getting a good deal at duty-free shops.
- Use a Travel Credit Card: Consider using a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Pay in the local currency to avoid additional fees associated with dynamic currency conversion (DCC).
- Understand Tax Refunds: Familiarize yourself with the VAT refund policies of the country you're visiting. Some countries allow non-residents to submit receipts and receive refunds for goods above a certain amount.
- Check Import Rules: Learn the import rules and restrictions of your home country or destination before purchasing. Duty-free purchases are often subject to limitations, and exceeding these limits may result in additional taxes or duties.
- Plan Your Budget: Determine how much you want to spend and choose a suitable payment method. Some countries, like the US, allow Customs payments by money order or traveller's check for amounts below a certain threshold.
- Show Your Boarding Pass: In some countries, such as the UK, retailers are required to check customers' boarding passes when purchasing duty-free items like alcohol and tobacco.
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Frequently asked questions
Schönefeld Airport consisted of four terminals: A, B, C, and D, which were renamed to K, L, M, and Q. Terminal Q had no check-in facilities, but you could find duty-free shops in the other terminals.
Schönefeld Airport ceased to exist as an independent airport on 25 October 2020, and large parts of its infrastructure were incorporated into the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
Schönefeld Airport was the smaller of the two airports in Berlin, serving as an operating base for easyJet and Ryanair. It was also the major civil airport of East Germany and the only airport of the former East Berlin.
Duty-free shops are retail outlets that sell goods exempt from certain local or national taxes and duties. The goods are typically sold to travellers who will take them out of the country and pay the applicable duties and taxes in their destination country.
Duty-free shops often sell fragrances, cosmetics, watches, gifts, jewellery, liquor, tobacco, and travel-related merchandise from various brands.
