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What is the Difference Between Duty-Free and Duty-Paid Products?

Whenever you travel abroad and visit the airport, one of the most common and prominent facilities you are bound to find are duty-free stores. You will see a wide selection of products like liquor, cosmetics, perfumes, electronics and more that entice you to step in and shop.

In some airports and stores, you might also come across another section known as duty-paid. To get a better understanding of duty-free and duty-paid, read on.

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Understanding the Terms ‘Duty, Duty-Free and Duty-Paid'

What is meant by the term ‘Duty’?

‘Duty’ means tax. It is a payment levied on importing, exporting, manufacturing, or selling goods.

Items like alcohol, perfumes, designer fashion and accessories, cosmetics, tobacco and electronic products are most affected by duty.

So, when consumers spend close to 6 lakhs on a Rolex, for example, they also pay a considerable amount as tax. To save on this tax, you can purchase items free of duty.

What is meant by ‘Duty-Free’?

Duty-free means purchasing an item without paying import, sales, value-added, or other taxes. Retail businesses sell products exempt from duties and taxes with the understanding that they will be taken out of the country for use.

That is why you can find many duty-free stores at airports, seaports and other country entry and exit points.

Read More:

Duty-Free Shopping

What is meant by ‘Duty-Paid'?

Duty-paid, on the other hand, are simply goods on which tax is already paid. You will find duty-paid stores at airports and seaports, but these products are also offered to domestic customers and are not limited to just international travellers.

What is the Difference Between Duty-Free and Duty-Paid?

We’ve explained the difference between duty-free and duty-paid in the table below:

Basis	Duty-Free	Duty-Paid
Meaning	Duty-free refers to items exempt from taxes or duties, typically those imposed by the country's government, where the goods are being sold.	Duty-paid means that the taxes or duties that are applicable on a particular item have already been paid, either by the importer or the seller, before the item is sold to the consumer.
Taxes Paid	When a consumer purchases a duty-free item, they do not need to pay any taxes or duties on that item.	The price of the item includes the taxes or duties, and the consumer does not need to pay any additional taxes or duties upon purchase.
Location	Duty-free items are usually purchased in designated duty-free shops, often found at international airports, seaports and border crossings.	Duty-paid items are typically purchased in regular retail outlets, located anywhere within the country.
Objective	Duty-free stores are mainly set up for the purpose of encouraging tourism.	Duty-paid stores are just like regular retail stores (like supermarkets) made available for purchase to the general public.
Who Can Buy?	Duty-free merchandise is sold only to departing international travellers.	Anyone travelling anywhere can purchase duty-paid items.
Range	Only certain items with a limited selection are sold in the duty-free section. They are often high-end, globally branded products in high demand.	Items sold in duty-paid sections are more locally made, widely available, with more variety and choice.
Restrictions	The items sold in the duty-free section are subject to local restrictions. They are intended for personal use and are often subject to quantity limits for each particular item.	Duty paid items have higher prices due to included taxes but offer a wider range of options and quantities for each particular item without any purchase restrictions.
Examples	Alcohol, tobacco, cosmetics, fashion products, etc.	Energy products, motor vehicles, petroleum products, alcohol, tobacco, etc.

If you are interested in saving costs while purchasing high-end global products, you must step into duty-free stores at international airports to buy your favourite products. Duty-paid stores will also provide you with a better range of products to shop from as a perfect gift, souvenir or edible to remember your trip.

While you enjoy shopping at the international airports, remember that travel insurance can be crucial for you. It covers your luggage in case of loss, theft, or damage during your transit at the airport and medical emergencies.

In this article, we have explained the meaning of duty, what is duty-free and duty-paid shopping and their differences. This will help you understand international shopping better while saving your money abroad.

FAQs about Duty-Free and Duty-Paid

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Are duty-paid goods free from limitations?

All items bought in duty-free and duty-paid outlets are still subject to the same customs import regulations. Most countries don’t distinguish between items bought duty-free and those bought duty-paid, and the combined total of all goods (excluding personal items) still counts toward individual import limits.

Is shopping duty-free cheaper?

Duty-free prices are generally cheaper than those found in conventional retail stores. However, this might not always be the case for all products. Depending on currency exchange rates and the location of purchase, the product prices can vary.

Is duty-free shopping also GST-free?

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a comprehensive indirect tax that has replaced various indirect taxes in India. According to the GST Council, duty-free shops in airports are required to charge GST on all products sold to passengers leaving the country but not on those sold to passengers arriving in India. This means that GST applies only to products sold to passengers who are not residents of India.

Who pays import duty?

In India, the customs duty tax (which includes import duty/tax) is an indirect government tax on consumers. Duties are paid by importers and distributors - who then pass the cost on to consumers.

What is duty-paid purchases?

Duty-paid items are regular retail items for which duty (tax) is already paid. You can find duty-paid items in supermarkets, retail outlets within the country or even at entry and exit points such as airports, seaports, etc.

Is tax-free shopping the same as duty-free shopping?

No, although both the terms are similar, they have different meanings. Tax-free shopping involves getting a refund of the sales tax on the goods purchased abroad, while duty-free shopping refers to buying items without paying duties or taxes on them in the first place.