Duty-free after Brexit: Will it return and how will leaving the EU affect airport shopping?

Ellena Cruse4 February 2020

After more than three years of false starts and shifting deadlines the UK has left the EU.

It is no longer a member of the European Union as 11pm GMT on January 31, 2020.

British citizens who hope travel to European destinations after Brexit might wonder what new rules they will have to navigate.

The government has said duty-free shopping when visiting EU countries could return but only in the case of a no-deal Brexit.

Will you be able to buy cheaper gifts at the airport post-Brexit?
AFP via Getty Images

When was Brexit?

Brexit took place on January 31, 2020 although months of negations will still take place after this date.

While the UK has agreed terms of its EU departure, both sides need to work out their future relationship.

A transitional period or implementation period will be in place until December 31, 2020.

This timeframe will allow both the UK and EU to potentially work out a new free trade agreement.

There will be a grace period for the UK and EU
AFP via Getty Images

Will duty free make a return after Brexit?

The government has said UK citizens travelling to the EU will be able to take advantage of duty free shopping - meaning they will not have to pay duties on cigarettes and alcohol - if Britain leaves the EU without a deal.

Boris Johnson is trying to avoid the phrase "no-deal" Btexit, and it has instead been replaced with the term "Australian agreement".

The UK and the EU have until the end of the year to hammer out an agreement, with Westminster hoping to be independent of Brussels rules while Europe wants close regulatory alignment.

If a deal is not finalised during the transition period duty free is expected to return.

In this scenario, a bottle of wine could be as much as £2.23 cheaper when bought in a terminal by a departing passenger.

People returning from the EU would have a choice when it comes to duty free goods.

They could continue to purchase and bring home unlimited amounts of cigarettes and alcohol with duty paid or instead buy limited amounts at duty-free shops in EU countries.

Travelling from the EU, UK citizens could choose  duty-free options under a no deal Brexit
AFP via Getty Images

In September 2019, Chancellor Sajid Javid said: “As we prepare to leave the EU, I’m pleased to be able to back British travellers.

“We want people to enjoy their hard-earned holidays and this decision will help holidaymakers' cash go that little bit further."

When can we expect it to come back?

As mentioned above, the return of duty free is not as simple as it sounds as it would only apply to Britain if there was no deal after the transition period has finished.

The December 31, 2020 grace period can also be extended until 2023.

What was the row over cheap booze and cigarettes?

A row broke out between the Treasury and the Department for Health and Social Care over an advert promoting the "benefits" of people being able to buy duty free cigarettes and alcohol from the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock criticised the Treasury for an official tweet, which appeared with a video announcing that: "Duty-free shopping with the EU is coming back, if we leave without a deal."

Two different government departments came to a head over duty-free no-deal Brexit tweets
AFP via Getty Images

Mr Hancock said he did not think the announcement was "seen from within a public health context".

While some people mocked the Treasury's announcement others said questions needed to be asked about whether the government had breeched its own rules by promoting cheaper cigarettes.

How will travelling to Europe change?

Warnings were issued last year about potential restrictions for foreign travel in the event of the UK withdrawing from the EU without an agreement.

Find out if you will need a visa to travel in Europe and other British passport changes here.

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