An integral part of modern international relations are free economic zones. One of the most common types of them today includes FTZs - these are customs territories on which the process of selling goods occurs without levying duties or other restrictions on foreign trade. Among the free zones are primarily duty-free specialty stores.
Location of shops
Most often, such outlets are located in large international airports. The most common and popular type of duty free is the shops located in the transit and departure areas. In addition, the sale is also carried out through kiosks and individual racks, as well as in the air. Prices for duty free on board an aircraft are much lower than in the airport area. This is mainly due to the minimum cost of trading, the only drawback is the limited range. Today duty-free is also an online store, the services of which are used more and more often. By choosing an item online, you can pay for it on board an international flight indicated on the order.
Duty-free shops can also be found at checkpoints on the border of neighboring states, which are crossed by car or on foot, as well as in large international seaports. On ships a large assortment of items. Prices here are usually increased, due to the rather long duration of the sea trip.
Purchases
Basically, purchases made in duty free are goods that are conditionally divided into two groups. The first consists of a traditional set, and the second depends on the specifics of the state.
The traditional group includes:
- alcohol;
- tobacco products;
- cosmetics and perfumes;
- jewelry.
With regard to specific products, today in duty-free shops you can buy almost anything that you like: modern gadgets, clothes, souvenirs and much more.
Rules and restrictions
Indeed, duty-free outlets are a great opportunity to buy various goods at competitive prices. But there is a second side to the duty free coin: these are the rules and restrictions that exist when selling in such stores.
The organization’s standards are governed by the laws of the country in which it is located. And they are not the same for different states. So, for example, duty-free Sheremetyevo is regulated exclusively by the legislation of the Russian Federation, in Frankfurt - by the laws of Germany.
The rules are also set depending on the customs conditions of import and export of goods in the countries to be visited. For each state, the restrictions are individual. But there are general rules:
- upon purchase, it is mandatory to have a passport and boarding pass ;
- limited amount of items and number of purchases;
- limit on the total amount of acquisitions;
- restrictions on the export or import of a certain group of goods, which most often include tobacco products, alcohol, coffee and tea, perfumes and other specific goods.
Duty free shops are the basis for successful economic development through international trade and increased investment.