Duty Free Shop airport | STN | London Stansted

United Kingdom UK Scotland, N Ireland, Wales, England

STN | London Stansted

UK-EU exit process: The regulations and information stated below has not changed until the British exit process has been confirmed.

The Duty Free shop at London Stansted airport is only available on departure, arrivals duty free is not permitted in the United Kingdom.

This airport mainly caters for low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, easyjet and germanwings or Charter flights operated by Thomas Cook or Thomson. Other airports in the UK, with similar airlines and destinations and the same retail practices include, East Midlands, Southend, Newcastle, Luton and Glasgow Prestwick, but the Tax rules are the same, regardless of which UK airport you fly from.

There are stores located near the baggage claim area when exiting, but the goods in these stores all have Tax and VAT included in the price. You will only find duty free cigarettes, cigars or tobaccos available for sale at duty free prices in the departure lounge. But, only those travelling outside the EU can benefit from the official Tax or Duty deduction.

Liquor prices on arrival are all tax-paid and the bottles sold in these outlets are usually 70/75cl, not litres. It is worth checking the different bottle sizes when comparing prices, because the size makes a big difference. Outbound, duty free spirits will be available to those leaving the EU and are mainly sold in litres, whereas wines and champagne in 75cl bottles, cognac sizes can vary.

For those travelling within the EU, to countries such as Germany, Greece or Italy, duty free tobaccos or liquors are not available, but you will be offered other product ranges like perfume, cosmetics or gifts at prices described as 'Tax Free'. Usually the retailers discount the sales tax (VAT) on these products. The stores often mark the different products and prices allowed for each specific destination.

Tax-Free means a deduction in the local sales tax or VAT as it is known in Britain. Duty Free means deducting the extra 'Excise' tax levied on alcohol or tobaccos as these products attract both Duty and VAT taxes, which is why the saving is so large when you buy for a non-EU destination.

If you are arriving from outside The European Union into an airport located in an EU Member State and then connecting on a flight to another EU destination, you will not be able to buy duty free goods, such as liquors and tobaccos, at duty-free prices.

What can you buy at the airport for this journey? Other goods, like perfumes, cosmetics and gifts are available at competitive 'tax-free' equivalent prices. Any available alcohol and tobacco sales, for EU-transfer passengers, are tax and duty-paid goods.