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Duty Free Prices Singapore vs Heathrow

  • 14-05-2012 05:27AM
    #1
    blondie82
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭


    Not sure if I'm posting in the right forum, mods please feel free to move if needed.

    Will be flying home from Singapore to Dublin via Heathrow & I want to pick up some spirits as presents (not very creative but keeps the family happy!) Has anyone any idea if this would be cheaper in Singapore or Heaathrow? Will prob be picking up just whiskey &vodka. Thanks :)


Comments

  • #2
    dearg lady
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭dearg lady


    blondie82 wrote: »
    Not sure if I'm posting in the right forum, mods please feel free to move if needed.

    Will be flying home from Singapore to Dublin via Heathrow & I want to pick up some spirits as presents (not very creative but keeps the family happy!) Has anyone any idea if this would be cheaper in Singapore or Heaathrow? Will prob be picking up just whiskey &vodka. Thanks :)

    Usually the situation is that you won't be able to buy spirits in Singapore duty free because you have a stopover within the EU, and you won't be able to buy in Heathrow cos you're then travelling within the EU. Unless someone has found a way around this?


  • #3
    sailordog13
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 90 ✭✭sailordog13


    You should have your duty free purchase placed in a sealed bag in Singapore, with its receipt, this will get you through Heathrow.

    Questions may be asked, but as long as the bag is sealed, and proof of purchase is present, you will be ok.

    Don't let them bluff you. Be politely stubborn if you are questioned.


  • #4
    dearg lady
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭dearg lady


    I have been refused duty free sales when they saw that I had an onward connection.


  • #5
    sailordog13
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 90 ✭✭sailordog13


    Who ever refused you, was miss informed.


  • #6
    dearg lady
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭dearg lady


    It's happened in various airports, I always chance my arm and ask :) Once I was able to buy in Dubai, but then when we arrived in Heathrow we were made to check the bag through as the liquids were over 100ml (causing us to almost miss our connection!) Any other time I've been refused the sale.
    I hope you're right, and they have remedied this situation, cos it's kind of annoying. Have you flown through Heathrow recently with duty free liquids?


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  • #7
    mel.b
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭mel.b


    In my experience heathrow is cheaper for alcohol and perfume than Singapore.


  • #8
    sailordog13
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 90 ✭✭sailordog13


    Not in the last year. Charles de Gaul is usually before Heathrow for me, and thats a nightmare. They make up rules to suit themselves, sometimes.

    I just got tired of having to stop and explain myself, and my connections are usually too tight to bother with the aggro.


  • #9
    dearg lady
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭dearg lady


    sailordog13 wrote: »
    Not in the last year. Charles de Gaul is usually before Heathrow for me, and thats a nightmare. They make up rules to suit themselves, sometimes.

    I just got tired of having to stop and explain myself, and my connections are usually too tight to bother with the aggro.

    And you usually get through Charles de Gaulle without any trouble? I'm actually flying through there next month :)
    I wouldn't put it past Heathrow to be difficult though, they can be extremely strict on things like that in the UK.


  • #10
    blondie82
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭blondie82


    Thanks all for the replies. having been refused sales over 100ml before due to a connection, so I have triple checked the security section of the Heathrow website for this trip.
    They allow items bought on the airside of certain airports (including Singapore) as long as they are in the sealed bag with receipt showing that they were bought on the day of travel/in the last 36 hrs (depending on airport). So I know I'm definitely entitled to bring it through if I do buy anything, will hold my ground if challenged Sailordog, thanks!
    Just purely wanted to know to know in which place is alcohol cheaper, with or without duty. So thanks Mel.b, had a a feeling alright, going by the price of everything else in Singapore!


  • #11
    dearg lady
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭dearg lady


    blondie82 wrote: »
    Thanks all for the replies. having been refused sales over 100ml before due to a connection, so I have triple checked the security section of the Heathrow website for this trip.
    They allow items bought on the airside of certain airports (including Singapore) as long as they are in the sealed bag with receipt showing that they were bought on the day of travel/in the last 36 hrs (depending on airport). So I know I'm definitely entitled to bring it through if I do buy anything, will hold my ground if challenged Sailordog, thanks!
    Just purely wanted to know to know in which place is alcohol cheaper, with or without duty. So thanks Mel.b, had a a feeling alright, going by the price of everything else in Singapore!

    I would imagine Heathrow is cheaper alright. But I was under the impression that you wouldn't be allowed to buy duty free in Heathrow as your only flying form there to Dublin. Maybe I've just been very unlucky when it comes to duty free the last few years!


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  • #12
    blondie82
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭blondie82


    Well yeah you're right that it wont actually be duty free as it's within the EU but there is still airport shopping, at the 'with duty' prices. They often have good deals. I don't care which it is as long as I get the lowest price I can!


  • #13
    dearg lady
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭dearg lady


    blondie82 wrote: »
    Well yeah you're right that it wont actually be duty free as it's within the EU but there is still airport shopping, at the 'with duty' prices. They often have good deals. I don't care which it is as long as I get the lowest price I can!

    Thats very true, the deals are pretty good. Singapore seems so expensive for everything, but then I bought feck all when I was there. As as aside on my way into Singapore I forgot to declare a small bottle of rum, I think only about 250ml, and they wanted to fine me 100 dollars! As it was my first offence they only fined me 10 I think, but I was so long in the security office that the bus left without me!


  • #14
    blondie82
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭blondie82


    Jesus that's mental I'd say you couldn't believe it! They fine you for everything here, it's even a joke on alot of the touristy stuff like t-shirts in the souvenir shops. Yep it's expensive, I've been her nearly a week at the end of 9 months travelling so I'm bloody broke! Only 2 day left thank god! Thanks for your help :)


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