Duty Free - Hong Kong/Singapore

[NM]

Anyone know the status of DF gate-delivery or otherwise for departures from NRT to Australia?

 

[Austman]

The official Australian Government information (Restrictions for inbound flights to Australia) is :

In general, the only liquids, aerosols and gels that are allowed in a passenger's carry-on baggage are:

• liquids, aerosols and gels in containers of 100 millilitres or less, in one resealable bag. The four sides of the resealable area should not add up to more than 80 cm (e.g. 20x20 cm or 15x25 cm);
• duty free liquids, aersols and gels purchased at the airport and delivered to the boarding gate for the passenger. No other duty free will be permitted (e.g. duty free purchased at Heathrow will not be permitted through Singapore); and
• liquid, aerosol or gel products supplied to the passenger onboard the aircraft after departure for Australia (e.g. cans of drink supplied in-flight or duty free purchased on board the aircraft).

It's the second point that is important as far as duty free purchases at airports is concerned. Duty free must always be purchased at the departing airport, where the next stop is Australia and where there are no onward flights departing an Australian international airport. Some airports allow transit passengers that purchased duty free at an earlier airport to pass LAG screening if the purchase is in a tamper proof bag. Examples of these airports are HKG, SIN, BKK. The Australian Government does not allow this and it is at these airports that any duty free purchased must be delivered to the departure gate. This seems to be the general rule.

But if an airport bans all >100ml LAGs at a central screening point (even for transit passengers and even if they are in tamper proof bags), it seems you can purchase duty free after that security point. Examples of these airports are all international airports in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and USA.

 

[Austman]

It also depends on the rules of the country that you are travelling to (in this case australia )....however australia will soon be relaxing the rule on liquids as they now have the technology to detect fluids used for explosives....yahhh!

- and remember that this country is almost unique insofar as our prohibition on more than 100ml of liquids was enshrined in statutory regulations, not just a policy. Anyway it is about to be lifted..

If and when it is lifted it will for for flights departing Australia.

 

[ShaneN]

It's the second point that is important as far as duty free purchases at airports is concerned. Duty free must always be purchased at the departing airport, where the next stop is Australia and where there are no onward flights departing an Australian international airport. Some airports allow transit passengers that purchased duty free at an earlier airport to pass LAG screening if the purchase is in a tamper proof bag. Examples of these airports are HKG, SIN, BKK. The Australian Government does not allow this and it is at these airports that any duty free purchased must be delivered to the departure gate. This seems to be the general rule.

But if an airport bans all >100ml LAGs at a central screening point (even for transit passengers and even if they are in tamper proof bags), it seems you can purchase duty free after that security point. Examples of these airports are all international airports in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and USA.

Thanks Austman. I now finally understand why there are gate checks in HKG, but not in LAX, DFW, AKL etc.

My concern is not so much with duty free, but with water. It is bizarre that I can buy a bottle of water after security in DFW and carry it on board, but the same bottle will be confiscated in HKG. How is any passenger expected to know or understand this?

 

[Lynnelanne]

In my recent experince, HKG and maybe still BKK are the only ports where post security duty free liquids are not permitted on-board.

In the last year I have 'carried on' duty free liquids in bottles of litre or more from NRT, LAX, DFW, AKL, WLG, CHC & SIN.

Also KL. Husband lost a bottle of good Australian wine to a security guard there a few months back which he was bringing to me in Singapore to give to a client I was working with in SIN. He bought the bottle in Australia, transited KL and they wouldn't allow it onto the flight to SIN even though it was still in a sealed DF bag. Grrr :-|

 

[ethernet]

If and when it is lifted it will for for flights departing Australia.

I have news for you - Many scanners for YEARS already know the difference between good, bad and water.
The profit on booze is so high, I dont know why Aussie DF dont have their own discrimination scanner goons and gophers to 'by hand' deliver stuff given customs incinerates masses of booze everyday!

While this argie bargie is blatant trade restriction. It could also be a scheme to load planes faster, with less take off weight variances. I was going to post a Camera website that is OS based but with an Australian number to call, and they call you. the HK based one posts when they confirm you are a real person.

Anyway, I buy inbound, and transfer to a plastic PET bottle for luggage back home - shaves a kilo of glass.
Often I bring back lesser known brands. Only one outcome is certain - The Australian economy gets nothing back as it is all purchased overseas. Its a shi**y deal for out trade externals. If you can't beat a duty free price = you are not trying.

Also beware Singapores inbound duty free does not sell smokes, and is more expensive that outbound duty free (even the same firm) and they wont sell. The Street price in Cambodia is most reasonable, and proves
DF is an all-time rip-off.

 

[themaiz]

I"m intrigued (and happy to be informed) about the restrictions at HKG and SIN. Wouldn't have thought. Hmm. And thanks Austman for the clarification of why NZ is so open, which it seems to be.

Example, I was pleasantly surprised at DFS at AKL this week. Two 1125ml bottles of brandy (needed for cooking. No, really): NZ$40 . One 1000ml bottle of Laphroaig (not going anywhere near cooking): NZ$94.90. And they gave me a 10% discount for smiling.

Since the same Laphroaig at Sydney AP DF is AUD$85, my comparison shopping effectively gave me the brandy for free. Did the transaction 50 mins before official departure, and hand-carried open bags onto the plane. No probs. Also no probs at Sydney airport arrival: I declared the excess hooch and was waved through.

Not yet tried is the REAL booze bargain, which is bulk spirits (2 litre bottle) at any US supermarket or drug store. Very cost effective, and all it takes is the confidence that the bottle won't shatter in checked baggage.

 

[Austman]

It seems Australia generally sticks to the rule that only "duty free liquids, aersols and gels purchased at the airport and delivered to the boarding gate for the passenger" are allowed.

But airports that have central screening (i.e. before a 'sterile' departure area) of all LAGs > 100ml regardless of where or how they were purchased seem to be exempted from this rule. You can buy duty free after screening at these airports. (I'm not 100% sure but I'm saying this last part from experience)

 

[awilcockson]

Not yet tried is the REAL booze bargain, which is bulk spirits (2 litre bottle) at any US supermarket or drug store. Very cost effective, and all it takes is the confidence that the bottle won't shatter in checked baggage.

Bulleit bourbon (yum) is US$20 a liter from a liquor store in the states. It is over $50 for a 700mL bottle in Australia. It's almost worth filling a suit case ans paying the import duty!

 

[Mr Buff]

I"m intrigued (and happy to be informed) about the restrictions at HKG and SIN. Wouldn't have thought. Hmm. And thanks Austman for the clarification of why NZ is so open, which it seems to be.

Example, I was pleasantly surprised at DFS at AKL this week. Two 1125ml bottles of brandy (needed for cooking. No, really): NZ$40 . One 1000ml bottle of Laphroaig (not going anywhere near cooking): NZ$94.90. And they gave me a 10% discount for smiling.

Since the same Laphroaig at Sydney AP DF is AUD$85, my comparison shopping effectively gave me the brandy for free. Did the transaction 50 mins before official departure, and hand-carried open bags onto the plane. No probs. Also no probs at Sydney airport arrival: I declared the excess hooch and was waved through.

Not yet tried is the REAL booze bargain, which is bulk spirits (2 litre bottle) at any US supermarket or drug store. Very cost effective, and all it takes is the confidence that the bottle won't shatter in checked baggage.

Once you try the prices in US Supermarkets you wont even bother with duty free , 1.75 LT Ezra Brooks Bourbon (US only retailed bourbon from what I can gather, much better than Jim Beam, dishwater I know , $ 18 US, 1.75 LT Vodka, not absolut but made by them $ 23 US, packed nice and secure in case with
lots of clothes around and arrived in Syd then Melb then Mildura fine, couple of knowing looks at incoming Xray is all, have done this a couple of times and never had a problem, only get DF when friends travelling or in Singapore.

 

[Febs]

Not yet tried is the REAL booze bargain, which is bulk spirits (2 litre bottle) at any US supermarket or drug store. Very cost effective, and all it takes is the confidence that the bottle won't shatter in checked baggage.

I used to always buy my alcohol at local suburban liquor stores in the US on work trips, and pack them in my checked luggage. Not 2L bulk bottles, moreso the stuff which costs a fortune here but goes for a song over there (Grey Goose, Hendricks, Glenfiddich etc.. as well as Absolut City editions like Boston, New Orleans, LA etc.. that are impossible to find here.)

Never had an issue, and I've done it more times than I can remember. I usually wrapped the bottle in bubblewrap, then kept it as centered in my bag as possible, wrapped in as many clothes as possible, and usually surrounded all the clothes with cardboard or something thick (top and bottom). Haven't had a breakage yet. I do feel better doing it with clear spirits than darker ones though. Have done it once or twice with red wine and always felt a bit nervous... :shock:

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[NM]

But airports that have central screening (i.e. before a 'sterile' departure area) of all LAGs > 100ml regardless of where or how they were purchased seem to be exempted from this rule. You can buy duty free after screening at these airports. (I'm not 100% sure but I'm saying this last part from experience)

Then how does this explain HKG and BKK. Both have what you call "central screening" when you enter the sterile area of the departure terminal. But you cannot purchase DF LAGS after the sceening inside that sterile area and carry them onto an aircraft destined for Australia. You can if departing to almost any other country, just not Australia.

This has nothing to do with transit passengers. This is about people who have already undergone LAG screening to get into the sterile part of the airport and still denied the ability to purchase duty-free LAGS inside the sterile area due to a manual carry-on bag search on the jet-bridge before you enter the aircraft.

 

[Austman]

Then how does this explain HKG and BKK. Both have what you call "central screening" when you enter the sterile area of the departure terminal. But you cannot purchase DF LAGS after the sceening inside that sterile area and carry them onto an aircraft destined for Australia. You can if departing to almost any other country, just not Australia.

This has nothing to do with transit passengers. This is about people who have already undergone LAG screening to get into the sterile part of the airport and still denied the ability to purchase duty-free LAGS inside the sterile area due to a manual carry-on bag search on the jet-bridge before you enter the aircraft.

Both HKG and BKK allow transit passengers to carry duty free purchased at a previous airport past security if it is in tamper proof bags. That's the difference. The airport needs to have central screening (i.e. before a 'sterile' departure area) of all LAGs > 100ml regardless of where or how they were purchased. Like SYD/MEL/BNE/NRT/LAX etc.

Or deliver the airport purchased duty free to the departure gate.

The Australian Government rule is that airport purchased duty free must be delivered to the departure gate. But some airports that centrally screen all > 100ml LAGs (including > 100ml LAG purchases carried by transit passengers), seem to be exempt from the "delivered to the departure gate" part of the rule.

 

[auspal]

Sneak alcohol

A way to get around the worry of bottles breaking in your checked on luggage is to pour the spirits into a rumrunners bag. The largest bag will hold a full bottle of spirits. They are traditionally used on cruises, for passengers to smuggle in spirits where they is a policy for alcohol not to be brought on board. The following is a summary, but check out the above website for more details. I can personally vouch for them.

Travel Worry-Free with Your Liquids, Lotions and Gels This is the ultimate solution for travel in an era of heightened security. Breeze through security check-in with the 3-1-1 Totally Compliant Carry-on Kit™. This kit is compliant with all US and International Airport Regulations. You never have to worry about leaky bottles in your luggage. This kit is tough and made of "food grade" material. Easy to fill and clean! Leave the large bottles at home and bring the amount of product you need and save space in your bag for other items. The airlines are charging hefty fees if you go over your bag allowance (much more than the cost of this kit). Another benefit is if the airline loses your luggage, you still have all your personal care products in your carry-on.

 

[Allan R]

At Shanghai (Pudong) airport they sell duty free alcohol but, on aircraft travelling to Australia, passengers are advised that they cannot take more than 100ml liquid onboard the aircraft. I have nearly been caught out as they don't tell you that at the time of purchase, only in the Qantas lounge or departure gate. They have random bag searches prior to boarding and anything over 100ml is confiscated. The prices in Sydney may be slightly higher, but I figure it's still cheaper than buying in retail liquor stores. There are some good bargains in Sydney most of the time.

 

[1putt]

I agree with the sentiment of my colleague that it has little to do with security (buying air-side and taking it on the aircraft (also air-side) and much to do with revenue grabbing by Australian DF stores.

How's this for an idea though?
This is the official word:
"duty free liquids, aersols (sic) and gels purchased at the airport and delivered to the boarding gate for the passenger. No other duty free will be permitted (e.g. duty free purchased at Heathrow will not be permitted through Singapore);"

This would indicate that if I flew LHR-HKG-SIN-SYD I could buy duty-free in SIN but not HKG nor LHR. If I flew LHR-HKG-SYD I could but duty-free in HKG but not LHR, i.e. I can buy DF at the last stopover before Australia provided it meets the regulations; purchased at the airport and delivered to the boarding gate for the passenger.

At any earlier stop I don't believe there would be anything to stop you going ground-side and back again with your DF.

It certainly removes the perception that it's supporting Aust DF stores, but I suspect a lot of unknowing people will be losing their DF liquids along the way and there remains the confusion.

Make sense from a security perspective?

BTW If HKG DF stopped the OP from buying DF there, because there was a further stopover in SIN, then they did the OP a favour. OP could have had the DF confiscated at the SIN stopover. [ I wasn't sure if the OP had a SIN stopover after HKG]

(Under the old system) Man in SIN having travelled from Paris with a bottle of expensive champagne and being told he could not take it back onboard an Australian aircraft, opened it, took one swig and poured the remainder in a trash can... Good on him.

I also note what I originally thought was a mis-spelling in the official text from the website. Maybe they meant the aersols that come up with these regulations.

 

[1putt]

But why this restriction?

If your flight transits through an Australian airport en route to your final destination, you will be rescreened at the transit airport and you may not take liquid, aerosol and gel products (including duty free) in excess of the restrictions through the screening point. Please check with your airline whether your flight transits another airport in Australia (e.g. Kuala Lumpur–Brisbane–Sydney).

Any takers?

 

[Austman]

At any earlier stop I don't believe there would be anything to stop you going ground-side and back again with your DF.

But how would this help? The DF would be confiscated either when you re-enter the airport or at the gate of your Australian bound flight.

You could exit and then check-in your DF purchases. If your ticketing allowed it. And make sure it's well packed. I've done this before.

And as for the idea that it's all a cynical plot by Australian DF shops: realise that if you fly SYD-BKK-CPH-ARN (CPH can be anywhere in the EU and ARN can be anywhere else in the EU) your Australian purchased DF, in tamper proof packing will make it to CPH (the 1st stop in the EU) but no further. It's a similar story for SYD-LAX-JFK (or anywhere else in North America - correction anywhere else from LAX period). So it might be a cynical plot by the EU and the USA DF shops too.

 

[moa999]

Have previously bought at HKG doing a
HKG-TPE-HKG-SYD turnaround.
Entered Taiwan, checked bag thru to Sydney with the DF.

Pre-Xmas doing a
TPE-HKG-BKK-HKG-TPE-HKG-SYD turn.

Any views on what is best spot for DF... Definitely willing to check bags/ store at HK.
APEC card makes these airports a breeze.

 

[serfty]

Put simply, Oz duty free is a virtual monopoly of the Nuance Group and is ridiculously expensive when compared to nearby countries - very easy to consider a conspiracy.

See the comparative JW table in this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....cheapest-duty-free-liquor-airports-31533.html