Duty Free, Tax Free & Travel Retail in Detail

Duty (and Tax) Free
Sales to international travellers, but not within the EU. Duty and VAT deducted.

Tax Free
Sales to international travellers, but not within the EU. All or part of the VAT deducted.

Fragrances, cosmetics, confectionery
Specialist goods (electronics, cameras, luggage, accessories, fashion jewellery, etc.)
Luxury & designer merchandise

Tax Discounted – Tax Paid Goods Discounted Down to the Tax Free Price
Sales to all travellers at the same Tax Free price

Wine & Champagne
- Since the excise duty is small, wine & Champagne are often sold at the same Tax Free price to all passengers in Duty Free shops
Fragrances, Cosmetics, Confectionery (the original Travel Retail products)
Specialist goods (electronics, cameras, luggage, accessories, fashion jewellery)
- Whether these goods are sold Tax Discounted or Tax Paid varies a lot by country, airport, and even within airports – you have to ask
Luxury & Designer merchandise (rarely)
- These goods are rarely discounted

Tax Paid – Products at Standard Domestic Retail Prices or Higher
Sales to all travellers of Tax Paid merchandise

Tobacco
Spirits
- Spirits offered to all passengers at the same price are probably Duty & Tax Paid
- Spirits sold in food stores are generally at Duty & Tax Paid prices
Wine & Champagne
- As with spirits, sales in food stores are also generally Duty & Tax Paid
Specialist goods (electronics, cameras, luggage, accessories, fashion jewellery)
- Whether these goods are sold Tax Paid or Tax Discounted varies a lot by country, airport, and even within airports – you have to ask
Luxury & Designer merchandise
Food (mainstream and fine food)
- In my experience, most food products at airports are sold Tax Paid, but, in any event, comparisons to downtown prices are almost impossible
Souvenirs and gifts
Newsstands and bookstores