Even if you've never flown by plane, you've probably heard of duty free at least once. These shops are considered a must-have part of the journey and are visited by many passengers who have at least a little time before departure. Let's figure out what are remarkable about duty free in the Czech Republic and how they differ from ordinary retail outlets.
Duty free history
A similar outlet was first opened in 1947 at Shannon Airport (Ireland) at the initiative of Brendan O'Regan. He did not expect that the idea would become so popular, because then flying from different countries was not the most pleasant pastime, and the planes did not fly so often and were mainly cargo.
However, Shannon Airport regularly stopped passenger planes flying from European countries to America. The Irish airfield was ideal for technical landings, and while the plane was refueling, passengers had to wait several hours. The need for a store was obvious, because people did not have the opportunity to buy even basic things.
The first shop was located outside the official border of the country, therefore, it was exempted from most taxes. Officially, retail outlets without VAT began to appear only in 1960 thanks to two American citizens - Charles Finn and Robert Miller. It was they who established duty free in Hong Kong, as it is known in its modern form.
Features of Duty Free work
Duty free assumes duty-free market relations. The main feature of their work is the sale of goods without most taxes, which makes prices more favorable. Since these shops are located in the international zones of airports, a passenger can buy something at this outlet only if he has officially crossed the conditional state border.
In order for a person to be admitted to shopping, they require a boarding pass or passport - documents officially confirming that the passenger is flying out of the country. The opening hours of such shops are adjusted to the airport schedule: duty-free works while the airport terminal is open and there are passengers who could go there.
Most outlets follow the standard schedule - from 07.00 to 21.00, but for the convenience of passengers, at least one store in the terminal is open around the clock.
The pricing policy in duty-free trade establishments is different. For example, in Prague, prices are among the highest in Europe. Consider the reasons why duty free is so expensive at Prague airport:
- Stores are only exempt from taxes. There remain income taxes, which, among other things, go to staff salaries. Therefore, the reduction in the tax rate is minimal.
- The airport has high rental rates, forcing management to spend almost all of the capital saved on taxes on this.
- Sellers do not want to lose profits and do not lower prices as much as they could by taking advantage of a monopoly position. Sometimes the reduced prices for some goods are offset by the inflated prices of others.
The price of a product depends on the current exchange rate and the manufacturer of the product. Based on this, the spread in prices of the same goods, but at different airports in the Czech Republic, can be quite large.
In the Czech Republic, almost all international airports have duty-free shops. There are most of these outlets in Prague, but the prices there are among the highest in Europe, so experienced tourists do not recommend shopping at the capital's airport. What can you buy in these outlets? Almost everything - from food, alcohol to luxury clothing, cosmetics and accessories.
What can be purchased at Duty Free Czech Republic
There are more than 85 tax-free shops at Prague Airport. Duty Free and Travel Value are located in the transit area of the terminals, offering an excellent assortment of sweets and alcohol. It is also easy to find here cosmetics and perfumery products from a wide range. In addition, there are products for children.
Those who wish to bring home national products can purchase excellent Czech beer (no more than 16 liters) and other products of the country.
Categories of goods that are most often bought in Czech duty-free:
- Alcoholic drinks. The tax on alcoholic beverages increases their cost by about 25% and more, but in the tax-free zone such a purchase will be the most advantageous, especially if you buy Czech products, and not imported ones. For example, beer, herbal liqueur "Becherovka" and so on.
- Cigarettes. Their cost at Czech airports does not differ much from the prices in ordinary stores, but the buyer can be sure of the quality of the purchased goods. Duty free counterfeits are rare, and the assortment is wide. In addition, according to statistics, cigarettes, cigars and similar goods at Prague airport are cheaper than in other European countries.
- Perfumery. This is one of the most profitable purchases a tourist can make at an airport in the Czech Republic. Niche perfumery in Czech duty-free will cost about 15-20% less than in chain stores. This excludes the possibility of buying a fake - all perfumes are original.
- Cosmetics. Elite cosmetics are one of the most popular, although not cheap, goods. Famous cosmetic brands are represented here. In addition, duty-free forms sets of small perfumes and cosmetics - travel sets. The packages in these sets are small, so the prices for them are very attractive.
- Jewelry. Not often purchased goods at Czech airports, but those who wish to purchase it will be able to save money on jewelry made of precious metals and the famous Czech garnet.
- Souvenir products. At airports in the Czech Republic, souvenirs are unreasonably expensive. Better to buy such things in the city, rather than spend extra money at the airport.
On average, a basket of 12 products, which includes liquor, cigarettes, cosmetics and food, will cost more than 500 euros, which is 6% cheaper than in Prague. If you want to save a lot, look in outlets for a catalog of goods marked The Best Price Guarantee - these are the stores with the lowest prices in the Czech Republic. You can check the cost of goods in Czech duty free here.
Restrictions on the purchase and transportation of goods
Duty free shops have their own rules and restrictions, so buying too many goods will not work, despite the fact that things are sometimes frankly cheap. Consider the restrictions on purchases in duty free:
- Price. This restriction is not everywhere, and even at one airport some stores set their own rules, which is why it is better to ask the staff before making expensive purchases. This does not mean that tourists will not be able to exceed the limit - purchases can be made, but they will have to pay at the standard price for the Czech Republic, including taxes. For example, from Prague it will be allowed to export goods in the amount of not more than 390 euros.
- Number of things. At some airports in the Czech Republic, it is allowed to export up to 10 items, and tobacco products - up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars. However, these rules do not apply to all retail outlets. For example, at the Prague airport, restrictions on the purchase price and the number of items are imposed only on flights to the United States.
- Customs control. The conditions of this type of restriction depend on the country where the person is flying. The European Union does not impose strict restrictions, the strictest rules and regulations are established for flights to the United States. If you are flying to America, be prepared that you can bring with you no more than 100 milliliters of liquid of the same name. And the total volume of transported liquids should not exceed 1 liter.
There are also rules for the carriage of purchases. Thus, the goods, together with the receipt, are packed in transparent packaging, which cannot be opened before arriving at the destination, so that the purchases are not taken away at another airport.However, these rules apply to shops located in front of the checkpoint.
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Airports with duty free in the Czech Republic
There are several large airports in the Czech Republic, each of which has duty-free shops. Find out where the five largest air terminals in the Czech Republic are located:
- Prague. The largest airport with a passenger traffic of 12 million people per year. There are more than 80 duty free shops on the territory.
- Pardubice airport. One of the smallest air terminals in the country with two terminals serves 60 thousand passengers and offers a good selection of goods in duty free shops.
- Brno airport. It is the second most popular airport terminal, with a capacity of over half a million passengers a year. You can find out more about the restrictions on goods at this airport here.
- Ostrava. It is a seasonal airport serving over 300,000 people a year. Duty free opening hours vary depending on the flight schedule. Shops are located near gates A and B on the ground floor.
- The airport in Karlovy Vary is designed for approximately 100 thousand tourists. There is a small duty free shop, information about which is available here.
Prices at each airport differ, but the most expensive is the airport terminal in Prague.
Features of obtaining tax free in the Czech Republic
Tax free refunds are made for one check with the amount of purchases exceeding two thousand kroons, regardless of the number of purchased goods. It will not be possible to return money for food, alcohol, cigarettes and other goods with a short shelf life, so the famous Becherovka liqueur is not included in the list of goods for which the amount of VAT will be returned.
Tax-free system applies to the following categories of goods:
- clothes;
- shoes;
- decorations;
- souvenir products.
It is better not to pack these goods in suitcases, because the employees will ask you to show what you bought near the TAX REDUND counter, which will be problematic if the luggage is already sealed.
After compliance with the formalities, the money will be returned according to the current exchange rate in euros, rubles or another convenient currency.
A tax free refund in CZK is more profitable, as it does not involve conversion.
Please note that refunds through tax-free are a lengthy procedure. You will have to spend at least an hour in the queue, and in a busy Prague airport - and about 4 hours. Everyone decides for themselves whether the spent time is worth returning 15-21% of the amount (as of 2021).
Conclusion
If there is time before the flight, the passenger has the opportunity to go shopping. In small airports of the country, for example, in Pardubice, the assortment is noticeably smaller, although the prices are more favorable. The exact location of duty-free in Pardubice can be found on the official website of the airport.
