Why is duty-free so cheap?
Why is duty-free so cheap? Import, value-added and sales taxes – aka duty – are imposed on imported and exported products. A duty-free shop, therefore, sells things without adding those taxes to the price. You'll find duty-free shops in international airports, cruise ships and areas where tourists congregate.
Do I need to declare duty-free items?
However, items sold in airport duty-free shops are usually safe to bring back from your trip abroad. In the U.S., you will be asked to fill out a U.S. Customs Form to declare any purchases made abroad.
What happens if I open my duty-free bag?
If you open it at the gate or onboard, airline staff will confiscate your purchase, empty the liquor or perfume and throw out your candy or tobacco. Your goods will meet the same fate if you show up at your final destination and a customs agent sees that you've opened the bag or its contents.