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Gatwick duty free can be good value for some purchases and poor value for others. The honest answer to most questions about it is that it depends on the product, the brand and the price you could get elsewhere, so the sensible approach is to know your usual price before you fly and compare it with what you see in the terminal. This guide explains how duty free works at Gatwick, what tends to be worth buying, what is usually better bought elsewhere, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Is Gatwick duty free cheaper?
Sometimes, but not automatically. Duty free means that certain taxes are removed on goods bought for travel outside the UK, and that can make products such as spirits, perfume or tobacco cheaper than on the high street. However, retailers set their own prices, and supermarkets and online shops often run promotions that beat airport prices. A bottle that looks like a bargain next to the airport shelf price may be no cheaper than the supermarket offer you walked past last week.
The practical advice is simple. Before you travel, note the normal price of the two or three items you might buy, such as a favourite whisky, a perfume or a cosmetics set. At the airport, compare the price on the shelf with your note. Airport shops also run their own offers, including multi-buy deals and brand promotions, so the price you see on the day can differ from what a friend paid on a previous trip.
Remember too that price is only part of the picture. Airport shopping offers convenience and a wide choice in one place, and for gifts bought on the way out or back it can be a genuinely easy option, even when it is not the absolute cheapest.
Do you pay VAT on duty free?
Rules about tax on airport shopping have changed over the years and can change again, so check the current position on the official Gatwick website and on gov.uk before you rely on a particular saving. In general, goods bought in departures for travel to destinations outside the UK may be sold without some taxes, while goods bought for onward travel within the UK are treated differently. The information shown on the shelf label and at the till is the best guide to what you are actually paying.
If tax savings matter to your decision, ask the shop assistant how the price you are being charged is made up and whether any conditions apply, such as showing your boarding pass. Keep your receipt, because you may need it if there is a query about your purchase later in your journey.
Can you pre-order duty free?
Many airports, Gatwick included, have offered a pre-order or click and collect service for duty free goods. The idea is that you choose items online before you fly, pay in advance and collect them in the terminal. This can be useful for popular items that sell out, for gifts you want to be sure of, and for people who dislike browsing in a hurry.
Check the official Gatwick shopping pages for the current rules, including how far ahead you need to order, which items are included, where to collect, and whether collection is on departure or arrival. Pay attention to the deadlines, because late orders are the usual reason a pre-order plan fails. Also check whether the pre-order price matches the in-store price on the day, as some travellers find it worth comparing both.
What are the opening hours?
Opening hours for airport shops are not fixed in the way that high street opening times are. Shops are generally open to match flight departures, which means early morning and late evening flights are usually covered, but exact hours vary by terminal, shop and season. Gatwick has a North Terminal and a South Terminal, and the shops, layout and range can differ between them.
Do not rely on a time you read in an old article, including this one. Check the official Gatwick website or app for current opening hours, and allow time to shop after security, since duty free is normally on the airside part of the terminal. If you are on a very early flight and want to buy before you go, look at the pre-order options instead of hoping the shop will be open and uncrowded.
What is usually worth buying
Items that many travellers consider for duty free include spirits and liqueurs, perfume and fragrance gift sets, premium cosmetics and skincare, and some confectionery and gift products. Gift sets and travel exclusives, which are packaged for airports, can offer value when you were planning to buy the set anyway. Larger bottles can sometimes offer a better price per unit than the smaller sizes on the high street.
These are only starting points. The best test is always your own comparison. If an item is something you already buy regularly and you know its price, you are in a strong position to judge a duty free deal.
What is often not worth buying
Be cautious with impulse purchases, with items that you cannot easily compare, and with products that are sold at a premium simply because they are convenient. Snacks, bottled water, travel accessories and electronics are often priced higher than in town, and some well known brands are cheaper in supermarkets or online during promotions.
Be careful, too, about what you buy on the way out if you are travelling for a week or more. Heavy bottles and fragile boxes are awkward to carry, and any liquids need to follow the airport security rules for your journey. Buying on the return leg, when allowed for your route, often avoids carrying purchases around for the whole trip.
Liquids, bags and airport security
If you buy liquids at the airport, the rules at security and on connecting flights can matter. Items are normally sold in sealed security bags with a receipt, and the advice is to keep them sealed and unopened until you reach your final destination, especially if you are changing planes. Rules can differ by country, so check the guidance from your airline and the government before you fly.
Always read the current guidance on gov.uk and on your airline website, because rules about liquids, aerosols and gels are updated from time to time and differ for hand luggage and hold luggage. For help planning other parts of the journey, see our guides to holidays from Gatwick and the Gatwick drop off charge.
Allowances when you return to the UK
Duty free does not mean unlimited. When you bring alcohol, tobacco and other goods back into the UK there are personal allowances, and exceeding them can mean paying duty and tax. These allowances are set by the government and can change, so check gov.uk for the current limits before you buy, rather than relying on a figure from memory.
If you are thinking of buying several bottles or a high value item, work out your allowance first. A purchase that looks cheap in the shop is less of a bargain if it takes you over a limit and creates a bill at the border.
Tips for a smarter airport shop
- Know your usual prices before you fly, and compare.
- Use pre-order if you have a specific item in mind.
- Check shop offers and any online discount codes before you travel.
- Buy fragile or heavy items on the way home if the route allows it.
- Keep your receipt and sealed bags until you reach your destination.
- Leave enough time, because queues at security and at the tills can be long at busy periods.
Gatwick is a busy airport and the airside shopping area is designed to catch passengers with time to spare. That is not a problem if you are shopping with a plan, but it is a good reason to decide your budget first. If you are still deciding where to go next, our cheap holidays and last minute holidays guides can help.
Frequently asked questions
Is duty free at Gatwick open to everyone?
Duty free is for passengers travelling outside the UK, and you normally need a boarding pass to buy. Check the shop rules on the day.
Can I buy duty free if I am flying to the EU?
Rules for travel to Europe changed after Brexit, so check the current guidance on gov.uk and on the Gatwick website rather than relying on older advice.
Do I need to show my passport?
Shops usually ask for a boarding pass. Some purchases may also need identification, so have your documents ready.
Is duty free better in the North Terminal or South Terminal?
The range and layout can differ between terminals, so look at the shop listings for the terminal you are flying from.
Can I take duty free through connecting flights?
Usually yes if it is in a sealed security bag with the receipt, but rules vary by airport. Check before you travel.
Does Gatwick offer discounts for duty free?
Offers change regularly, so check the official Gatwick shopping pages and your airline or card offers shortly before you fly.