Tips for shopping at duty-free shops at the airport
Sep 26, 2025
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Duty-free shopping is one of the indispensable pleasures in the excitement of overseas travel. However, if you look around without a plan, time is scarce and the budget is likely to be exceeded quickly. Some basic strategies are needed to spend wisely from the start of the trip.
First of all, the success or failure of duty-free shopping is determined in the preparation stage. You should identify the desired product in advance and plan through reservation service and price comparison. Travel expenses can be efficiently managed by reducing impulse purchases on the spot.
1. Utilize pre-booking services
Many duty-free shops operate a system that allows you to pre-book online and then pick it up at the airport. In particular, popular products such as cosmetics, perfumes, and limited editions are often sold out online first. If you make a reservation two to three days before departure, you can purchase it without missing it.
2. Price comparison is mandatory
Even for products of the same brand, there is a big price difference between duty-free shops. It is wise to compare several duty-free official sites in advance, as there can be a difference of up to tens of thousands of won depending on exchange rates or promotions. A small difference leads to a reduction in the overall cost of travel.
3. Make full use of events and coupons
Duty-free shops hold discount events every season and also offer coupons in partnership with credit card companies. You can get extra points by installing the app or simply signing up. Collecting and utilizing these benefits can save a considerable amount of money.
4. distribution of goods for departure and entry
It is recommended to purchase lightweight and bulky cosmetics, perfumes, and accessories when leaving the country. On the contrary, it is more efficient to receive heavy or bulky alcohol and health foods when entering the country. If you use the duty-free shop service at the arrival hall, you can relieve your luggage.
5. Make sure to check the duty-free limit
The duty-free limit per person is $800 when returning home. Beyond this, taxes can be imposed. If you have a party, you can legally reduce the burden by dividing the purchase amount. Keeping the duty-free limit is the basis of reasonable shopping.
Airport duty-free shopping is not just a consumption, but an experience that makes travel richer. However, if you improvise without preparation, it can be a burden. Even if you take care of the basics, such as advance reservation, price comparison, coupon utilization, product distribution, and limit check, your satisfaction level will change significantly.
After all, smart shopping begins with planning. If you make full use of your time at the duty-free shop, the joy of travel doubles, and what remains when you return is a pleasant memory and a satisfaction of thrifty consumption.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
