Will my Duty free be confiscated?

mydiscworld

I'm flying Dublin to Vegas via Gatwick in May. On the way back I'm hoping to get duty free in Vegas airport.

However, as I will pass through UK on the way, will say a 1ltr bottle of spirits be taken off me in Gatwick? Or if I keep it in the sealed bg is that ok?

BrokenArrows

Totally depends.

If you need to pass through security again on your way back to Ireland then yes they will take it from you.

If you happen to land in the same terminal then you will probably be ok.

Bit of a gamble.

BrokenArrows

You will find that alcohol in gatwick is much cheaper than Irish prices anyway. So just buy some in gatwick.

ceemgee

Airports will treat any duty free as they do any liquids unless you buy it after you have gone through security.

Uriel.

Recently flew through Heathrow on the final connection of 3.they were not allowing duty free (in sealed bags with receipts) from airports outside of EU through security .

Gatwick I find is a little bit more relaxed, but it can be a gamble

WHL

I came through Heathrow last week on the way from Dallas to Cork. I didn't have duty-free but asked the girl on security and she said that it would be fine if it was in a sealed bag

First Up

mydiscworld wrote:

However, as I will pass through UK on the way, will say a 1ltr bottle of spirits be taken off me in Gatwick? Or if I keep it in the sealed bg is that ok?

Buy your d/f in Gatwick on the way out and then put it in your checked bag on the way back.

Prenderb

From Gatwick's Transfer FAQ:

What should I do when I land at Gatwick?

Once you land at Gatwick, collect your bags from the baggage reclaim hall and go to the GatwickConnects desk, where our friendly team will assist in connecting you to your next flight, allowing you to go straight to security without having to take your bags with you.

I wouldn't take the risk of spending money on hand-luggage duty free liquids in Vegas to bring via Gatwick - if you've to go through security again, which is what's implied on the FAQ.

http://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/flight-connections/GatwickConnectsFAQs/

Speedwell

I've been asked in duty-free shops, "is this the last leg of your journey". Presumably they know what they're talking about. Yes, I have lost good booze when I didn't purchase it on the last leg. Hell, I almost lost some at the destination (I brought six bottles of whiskey back to the US as gifts, and declared it, and Houston customs seemed to have a hard time understanding "I know not all of this is duty-free; just tell me how much duty and I'll pay it". It was like nobody ever did that; they didn't seem to be able to locate the necessary form right away, and I wound up not even being charged the full amount, lol.)

First Up

Speedwell wrote: »

I've been asked in duty-free shops, "is this the last leg of your journey". Presumably they know what they're talking about. Yes, I have lost good booze when I didn't purchase it on the last leg. Hell, I almost lost some at the destination (I brought six bottles of whiskey back to the US as gifts, and declared it, and Houston customs seemed to have a hard time understanding "I know not all of this is duty-free; just tell me how much duty and I'll pay it". It was like nobody ever did that; they didn't seem to be able to locate the necessary form right away, and I wound up not even being charged the full amount, lol.)

The question about the last leg is asked so they know if they need to put it into a sealed bag. That is usually enough to get you through security as long as you remain air-side during transit. However if you go through Baggage Reclaim and Customs while transiting there is a strong likelihood it will be confiscated when you re-enter the Departures area.

Speedwell

First Up wrote: »

The question about the last leg is asked so they know if they need to put it into a sealed bag. That is usually enough to get you through security as long as you remain air-side during transit. However if you go through Baggage Reclaim and Customs while transiting there is a strong likelihood it will be confiscated when you re-enter the Departures area.

Yes, yes, sealed bag, stayed airside, yada, yada. Still confiscated.

First Up

Speedwell wrote: »

Yes, yes, sealed bag, stayed airside, yada, yada. Still confiscated.

Having whiskey confiscated by Customs on arrival is not the same as having it taken from you by Security on departure.

Speedwell

First Up wrote: »

Having whiskey confiscated by Customs on arrival is not the same as having it taken from you by Security on departure.

It wasn't confiscated on arrival. That wasn't the trip I was talking about, anyway.

First Up

Speedwell wrote: »

It wasn't confiscated on arrival. That wasn't the trip I was talking about, anyway.

I don't know what you are talking about. Your post#9 refers to Customs on arrival, paying duty etc.

Speedwell

First Up wrote: »

I don't know what you are talking about. Your post#9 refers to Customs on arrival, paying duty etc.

Yes, they found the necessary form and I paid the duty. Nothing about confiscation. My stuff was confiscated on a different trip, prior to the last leg of that trip. I think I was actually flying Johannesburg/Amsterdam/Heathrow/Houston that time (long story, but I never exited secure areas).

Atlantic Dawn

If you get it in Vegas to put it in the security sealed bag you will be fine, just make sure no damage or tears occur to the bag.

Travelling with duty free alcohol or perfumes?

We accept some oversized liquids purchased as duty free or tax free with certain restrictions. It must be in a clear sealed, tamper proof bag with the receipt inside of the bag. If you are unsure, please contact your airline. If in doubt, ensure that your duty free purchases are checked in to the hold of the aircraft.

http://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/flying-out/security/faqs/

First Up

Speedwell wrote: »

Yes, they found the necessary form and I paid the duty. Nothing about confiscation. My stuff was confiscated on a different trip, prior to the last leg of that trip. I think I was actually flying Johannesburg/Amsterdam/Heathrow/Houston that time (long story, but I never exited secure areas).

Then it would have been helpful if you had not introduced Customs and duty to a discussion about the security restrictions in liquids in cabin bags.

I agree it is advisable not to rely on the sealed bag to get you through security. Hence my advice to buy his booze on the way out and put it into his suitcase for the trip home.

pa990

I'm not long back from se Asia.

Traveled thru Heathrow on my way to irl.

The alcohol was in a sealed bag(s), security at lhw just xrayed them as I entered T2 and I was on my way .

mneylon

The airports change their rules from time to time, so it's usually best to ask in the duty free shop.

Most of the time, if you remain airside, there won't be issues as long as any liquid alcohol is in the sealed bag(s). On a recent trip which connected via CDG they took the sealed bag apart, checked all the contents and resealed it all in new bags.

donnacha

US duty free isn't particularly good value. You'll get a much better deal picking up your purchases in the UK.

mneylon

donnacha wrote: »

US duty free isn't particularly good value. You'll get a much better deal picking up your purchases in the UK.

Depends on what you're buying. If, like me, you're into trying odd bourbons the range in a US airport will always be better

donnacha

Blacknight wrote: »

Depends on what you're buying. If, like me, you're into trying odd bourbons the range in a US airport will always be better

I'd suggest buying the bourbon in a shop locally rather than buying in the airport. Better range and better prices.