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Duty free shopping in EU and sales tax (all for a good cause)

Posted by (Los Angeles, California, USA) on

I'm going on my first Europe tour this summer and am having some wonderful hosts along the way. I would like to bring them gifts and will probably do the classic alcohol gift - always appreciated! However, I'm confused about duty free shopping and transport in EU.

Specifically, I'm flying from Dublin to Stockholm then train to Denmark (where my hosts are). I'd like to bring them some whiskey but am not sure how to do so. I will be checking my luggage with Ryan Air. Am I eligible for duty free since it's within the EU? Should I just stash some in my small carry-on that I am checking and hope for the best? Is it cheaper to buy in Dublin or at the airport?

I'm trying to save on tax charges (20% is yikes). Many other places I've traveled will only reimburse VAT if you spend over a certain amount in the country - usually higher than what I actually spend. Is it the same in the EU or different in different countries?

Thanks so much for the help and please feel free to direct me towards other relevant posts (I didn't find any on the search function).

Posted by
497 posts

What about buying the whiskey on my plane from the US (flying a US carrier) and then since I'm checking my bag on Ryan Air carrying it with me for a while?

Buying US duty free is fine (and probably the cheapest option.) You won't be able to take US duty free liquids through security in Dublin but as long as you have access to your bags before the connection you can transfer it to your checked luggage.

Or, can I buy duty free when I land in Dublin? I'm I still considered an international traveler after I land?

Nope.

Posted by
497 posts

Lot's of questions - I'll try to get them all.

1) There's no duty free within the EU. You can still shop at the duty free shops but the goods will be duty paid.

2) You can't take liquids over 100ml (3.some fluid oz) through security so that might rule out using your carry on. If you buy from an air side shop (i.e. after security) you can carry that on board - they will also seal your bag with a special seal that should let you take it through any security at an EEA airport if you have a connection.

3) There are no customs checks travelling within the EU and you can freely move goods from one country to another.

4) VAT can only be refunded on goods that are exported, unused, from the EU; also there's the minimum spend you mentioned - this is per shop not per country. So basically, no VAT refund for your whisky.

5) Nordic countries stereotypically have very high taxes and duty on alcohol; so even if you factor in Irish taxes whisky will probably still be cheaper to buy in Dublin than Denmark.

Posted by
9371 posts

Unless you know your hosts well, I wouldn't assume that a gift of alcohol is "always appreciated". Not everyone drinks.

Posted by
497 posts

You could say that about any gift though. Some people are allergic to flower pollen, some people have a deep childhood trauma related to mixed centre chocolates...

Massive generalisation alert - but alcohol is a much less controversial gift over here than in most bits of the US.

Posted by
31 posts

Thanks for the replies and explanations. It's my family - they drink alcohol so it's ok.

I sort of figured about no duty free within the EU.

What about buying the whiskey on my plane from the US (flying a US carrier) and then since I'm checking my bag on Ryan Air carrying it with me for a while?

Or, can I buy duty free when I land in Dublin? I'm I still considered an international traveler after I land?

I'm planning on getting them a fairly nice, expensive whiskey.

Thanks.

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