What is duty free?

Duty free concept

Duty free is a concept of shopping, offering shoppers goods on which import duties is not charged. It is an excellent opportunity for international travelers to save money on a whole variety of products: from perfume and cosmetics, to tobacco and hard liquor.

The beginnings of “duty free” go back to 1960s and Shannon airport in Ireland, the whole idea is based on the fact that airport terminals represent territories not belonging to any specific country, therefore taxations laws may not be applicable.

Free of duty & taxes

Duty is a tax fee placed by governments, applicable to various types of imported goods. Not only you save money on duty, but in case of Europe, on the VAT – this can potentially mean even more savings compared to downtown markets.

Duty free allowances

There are certain limitations on duty free shopping however, they are set individually by governments of each country or economical region. Note, that in case of exceeding these limits you may be asked to pay duty and tax difference on them. Find out what are the allowances on this page.


Hellenic Duty Free Shops

About us

The company that operates stores at all exits of Greece, offering travellers the ultimate shopping experience . Established in 1979 with two stores (both in the old International Airport of Athens), now operates 115 stores in 46 points (22 airports, 11 border, 13 ports) all over Greece. Through its subsidiary, Hellenic Distributions, it operates 26 shops in the vessels of ANEK and Attica ship companies.

Hellenic Duty Free Shops main goal is to provide passengers with the best travel shopping experience. Offering authentic branded items from more than 1,000 suppliers at value-based prices, renders it the No1 shopping destination in both Greek and foreign tourists perception. Every year it serves 8 million passengers and this number increases, throughout the years. More and more travelers choose Hellenic Duty Free Shops for their purchases.

Hellenic Duty Free Shops employs 1.967 employees, most of whom are residents of the regions where stores operate, areas with high unemployment rate.Hellenic Duty Free Shops hold, until 2048, the exclusive right of duty-free sales in Greece.

Since 2013, the company Hellenic Duty Free Shops SA is a member of Dufry AG, the giant global travel retail group.

Stores

After passport control in 46 exit points in Greece (airports, ports, borders) and at the arrival area of Athens International Airport (AIA). Find here the list of Hellenic Duty Free Shops for your convenience.

Products

Hellenic Duty Free Shops offer a wide selection of perfumes and cosmetics, wines and spirits, tobacco products, confectionery, local food, luxury items, clothing, accessories, sunglasses, travel items, souvenirs, toys and electronics of Greek and international brands like Folli Follie, Links of London, Juicy Couture, UGG, Michael Kors, Boss, Polo Ralph Lauren, Ferragamo, Victoria’s Secret Beauty & Accessories, Armani Jeans, Korres, Apivita, Mastiha Shop, Swatch, Max Mara Weekend, Zeus + Δione, etc.

Product availability

You may check availability by sending an email to info@dutyfreeshops.gr or by contacting directly the store that you are planning to visit.

Authenticity

Products are 100% authentic. Hellenic Duty Free Shops, as a company member of Dufry AG, is supplied directly from the Designer Houses and the suppliers, without intermediaries or representatives. By that quality, authenticity and value-based prices are guaranteed.

Exclusivity

We offer a wide collection of exclusive articles. Perfume and Cosmetics are offered in Travel sets which are great gift ideas but they are often preferred for personal use too. Some of them are limited editions and they are considered as collectibles. Perfume and cosmetics in travel exclusive packages often serve frequent flyers since they are in smaller packages and in easy-to-carry cases. Chocolates and liquors Travel Exclusive special packages are also available.

Prices

Hellenic Duty Free Shops prices are value-based. Whichever traveller’s destination the prices of products are the same (tobacco products are excluded). This means that travelers visiting a city in Greece or in the E.U. buy products at same prices with travelers visiting a third country (tobacco products are excluded). We and suppliers absorb duties and taxes and offer all products in prices as being Duty Free. Travelers to third countries are eligible to Duty Free purchases for all product categories, including tobacco.

VAT

Travelers to third-country destinations are excluded from the VAT, during payment. Furthemore, they can get back the VAT for purchases that were made at the local market during their stay in Greece at most of Hellenic Duty Free Shops, including Athens Interntional Airport ones.

Custom Allowances

There are no restrictions to your purchases from duty free shops. The same implies for liquid products (more information available in the next question). Nonetheless, limitations on the quantities and the type of item you are allowed to buy are set by the custon authorities of your destination country. To confirm your permitted allowance, you may address the customs office; ask staff employees or click here. Νote that you may have to pay the additional duty and tax differences if you exceed those limits.

Liquid products

At Hellenic Duty Free Shops you can buy liquid products without any restriction. The cashier will package them in tamper evident bags, so that you don't face any issue at the hand luggage control.

Be careful: Do not open these bags and please hold the receipt until the end of your trip. If you are a transit passenger, travelling through other airports in the European Union you need to keep the receipt and your purchase in the tamper evident bag unopened until your final destination. Your trip needs to end within 24 hours after the purchase. If you open the tamper evident bag before your final destination, you need to detach liquids over 100ml and place in the 1-litre re-sealable bag liquids under 100ml.

There is no maximum limit, as for the quantities you are allowed to purchase from Hellenic Duty Free Shops. However, such a limit is essentially determined by the regulations of the destination countries.

Arrival shops

In the arrival shops, you may find a variety of branded perfumes & cosmetics,confectionery, toys and gifts at same prices with Hellenic Duty Free Shops.

Pre-order Service

Access our website, select the airport shop you intend to visit, browse the product catalogue and offers and place your order. More available information about the service here. For the airport, border and port shops that Reserve&Collect service is not available, you may contact our Customer Service. Our team will be pleased to revert to all your enquiries within 2 days from the moment we receive your message in info@dutyfreeshops.gr.

Liquor

Liquor is not available in Reserve&Collect service but it is instore. We offer not only in 0,75lt but also in 1lt bottles. This way you save money by purchasing larger quantities for a lower price.

Loyalty scheme

You earn Red By Dufry Loyalty points with every purchase from Hellenic Duty Free Shops. More information about Red Loyalty By Dufry, you may find here. Furthemore, Aegean Airlines’ Miles & Bonus members can earn (2 miles for every euro spent) and redeem miles in all Hellenic Duty Free Shops.

Exchage/ Returns

Returns are only accepted by presenting the proof of purchase at the cashier within two months from the date of purchase and only if the product is at perfect condition. Liquor and tobacco products are not susceptible to returns.

Warrenty

All electronics and luxury items are covered by the warranty that is given by the supplier (1 or 2 years) based on international law. Traveler may, during the warranty valid period, take the receipt of a purchase from Duty Free to any of the authorized stores of the supplier, for service.

vs local market

  • You will discover a wide selection of exclusive products available at duty free Shops only.
  • An item price is the same whatever your destination (tobacco products are excluded).
  • You may buy liquid products on your arrival or departure with no restriction.
  • Alcohol products are available in larger economy sizes (1lt) than the ones available in local market.
  • You benefit from the continious offers and promotions that are taking place instore and online.
  • You have a world-class one-stop travel shopping experience.
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