Duty Free Shops I see at Airports...

[squance]

When I was at the airport recently, I saw a whole heap of shops that said "Duty Free". What does that mean and how does it work??? (and why have I never seen any of those kinds of shops unless Im at the airport??)

[psychlaw]

its just items for sale, but there cheaper because there tax free... However you have to go overseas with those items

Last I heard theres fines of up to $500 if you buy them to keep them in Australia

[squance]

its just items for sale, but there cheaper because there tax free... However you have to go overseas with those items

But whats the point of taking those items overseas???

[xox.happy1.xox]

So they are basically for overseas travel only. Kind of pointless really if you can't keep them in Australia, and you're not planning to travel overseas.

[Mao]

So they are basically for overseas travel only. Kind of pointless really if you can't keep them in Australia, and you're not planning to travel overseas.

tourists buy them, like the Aust made hand-creams and etc.
it'll be cheaper than the price they have to pay in their own country, as it'll be import-duty free [they're not importing, you see? ]

as for the tax part, I have no idea if GST is charged or not. but overall, it has little use for Australians.

[AppleXY]

its just items for sale, but there cheaper because there tax free... However you have to go overseas with those items

Last I heard theres fines of up to $500 if you buy them to keep them in Australia

That is most stupid thing I've heard. How in the name of god will be able to enforce such a law. If you bought an item in Australia legally you have the perfect legal right to use it any where in the country without any exceptions whatsoever. It's like saying "NO I MUST FINE YOU, YOU BOUGHT A BOOK FROM DUTY-FREE, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NO PROOF THOUGH" lol.

What a load of BS. I bet duty free, means it's free from import duties or anything else as such.

[phagist_]

Yeh no chance they'd enforce it.

My friend just got a few cartons of smokes duty free (I think) because he went to Thailand.

[Glockmeister]

its just items for sale, but there cheaper because there tax free... However you have to go overseas with those items

Last I heard theres fines of up to $500 if you buy them to keep them in Australia

That is most stupid thing I've heard. How in the name of god will be able to enforce such a law. If you bought an item in Australia legally you have the perfect legal right to use it any where in the country without any exceptions whatsoever. It's like saying "NO I MUST FINE YOU, YOU BOUGHT A BOOK FROM DUTY-FREE, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NO PROOF THOUGH" lol.

What a load of BS. I bet duty free, means it's free from import duties or anything else as such.

Well, you haven't pay the taxes for it (not going to argue the merits of taxation), so you don't have the right to just use it freely.

I believe retailers are meant to check to see if you're a bona fide tourist.

[Collin Li]

I think duty-free is supposed to emulate the act of taking stuff back and forth through countries (tax-free). That is why you are supposed to take it with you (and take it back, if you want).

[ganges]

BTW is khalid back from his holidays?