Can I buy an iPhone in Duty Free?

One of the most requested item for travellers concerns Apple's iPhone. The original iPhone was launched in June 2007 with the 5th generation, the iPhone 4S, launched in October 2011 - some 183.2 million handsets sold up until the end of the first quarter of 2012.

So why are Apple products not seen widely throughout the world in Duty Free retail outlets?

Well there are numerous reasons for this -

• Such is the demand for iPhones, Apple have to limit the number of countries they can launch into. Therefore duty free is not top priority.
• Most phones are sold with a SIM lock which restricts the use of the phone to one particular carrier, a common practice with subsidized GSM phones. Unlike most GSM phones however, the phone cannot be officially unlocked by entering a code. The locked / unlocked state is maintained on Apple's servers per IMEI and is set when the iPhone is activated.
• Apple's favoured method of distribution is via exclusive contracts with country operators so customers have to buy into a contract with the provider. Since duty free retailers cannot offer a phone air time contract and would be selling to customers leaving the country this would take the retailers outside of the Apple model of distribution.

However, with Apple having some of the hottest electronic items in the world with the iPhone, iPad, iMac, some of the larger international duty free operators have stocks which prove popular as the prices are usually below the normal prices on the domestic market.

Proposed New Security Checks on Passengers by the U.S. (even though you are not going there!!!!)

On first going to University in the USA in the early 1980s it was relatively straight forward - I filled out my H1B visa application form to study there, I bought a round trip ticket and flew to Philadelphia.

But as everyone is quite aware now it is not as easy even going on vacation there - pre-authorisation is required via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a programme and this is a requirement for everyone!. The simple task of buying duty free goods is no longer a formality with complicated rules on liquids, tamper proof bags and also forward journeys when you arrive in the USA.

Now, there are plans afoot at the insistence of the US Department of Homeland Security which require British Airways and other airlines flying to certain airports outside America to submit passengers' personal data to US authorities. The information is checked against a "No Fly" list containing tens of thousands of names. Even if the flight plan steers well clear of US territory, travellers whom the Americans regard as suspicious will be denied boarding.

The scheme due to start in April covers flights to Canada, Cuba, Mexico and the Caribbean.

So who will be affected by the new rule?

725,000: Number of British visitors to Canada each year. Airports affected: Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax
300,000: Number of British visitors to Mexico each year. Airports affected: Mexico City and Cancun
160,000: Number of British visitors to Cuba each year. Airports affected: Havana, Varadero and Holguin.

plus the traffic to the other Caribbean countries.

Looking after our security or draconian measures? It has certainly taken a chunk of money out of our duty free money as there certainly will be a cost attached to this!

Arrivals-Duty Free.com designs new website

Coming soon!

Enhanced designs and airports searches for http://www.dutyfreeonarrival.com/

and http://www.arrivals-dutyfree.com/ including links to domestic retailers and hotels.

Watch this space!

Is it "Tax Free at Arrival"?

The Swiss German media have also announced the Government Consultation Process in relation to the proposed concept of "Duty Free on arrival" at airport shops in Switzerland. It is interesting to note how in German this concept is known as "Tax Free at Arrival" but in French "Duty Free a l'arrivee". Perhaps this is just the use and interpretation for each language as in fact there is a significant difference between "Tax" and "Duty" Free.

Duty tends to refer to Excise duties levied on products like Liquors and Tobaccos, whereas Tax normally refers to local sales taxes or value added taxes (VAT/BTW/IVA) on other goods like Fragrances or Gifts. The general understanding is that the Swiss are to review the arrivals purchase scheme for both tax options.

So is it "Tax Free at Arrival" or "Duty Free on Arrival"?

No doubt the public will decide, once the Swiss Government do!

Tax Free Travel dot com talks Arrivals

Is support for Arrivals Duty Free growing? This new website has also opened the debate and discusses the issue in great detail.

http://www.taxfreetravel.com/Duty%20Free%20Arrivals