Duty free - connecting Int to Dom at BKK

[johnaalex]

When I fly LHR-BKK; BKK-HKT in January I assume that if I buy duty free in LHR it will be confiscated from my hand luggage at BKK when trying to to board my flight to HKT. Is this correct?

If so, can I buy duty free in BKK and carry it on to the HKT flight or can I buy duty free at HKT?

TIA

John

[Caerphilly]

Originally Posted by johnaalex

When I fly LHR-BKK; BKK-HKT in January I assume that if I buy duty free in LHR it will be confiscated from my hand luggage at BKK when trying to to board my flight to HKT. Is this correct?

If so, can I buy duty free in BKK and carry it on to the HKT flight or can I buy duty free at HKT?

TIA

John

think limit is 200 cigs and 1 lire of booze, things were far tighter on security at the interim internal transfer point in Bkk's new airport compared to the old airport - so much so that i gave 400 uk ciggs away and kept 200 myself

i assume your aware if you get caught with over 200 cigs you pay the tax on all and loose them


can't recall seeing a duty free in the internal transfer area at the new airport and 99 pp[ercent certain theres not one at Phuket arrivals

my litre of sirits wasn't a problem as it was a bottle i took from home so it was checked thro with mt main luggage

[johnaalex]

I am not worried about ciggies, just my bottle of single malt. At LHR I have to check my bag before I can get to duty free so it looks like I will have to try and pick up a bottle at BKK.

Regards

John

[A4T]

When you buy your fav tipple at LHR, get duty free to seal it in a bag with the receipt inside. If you don't they will try and confiscate the item at the gate check in for the internal flight May see you on the flight as I am travelling to BKK on the 9th Jan loads permitting

[MrDK]

I have never made a direct connection in BKK to a Phuket flight, however, it is my understanding that if you luggage is checked through and you clear immigration in Phuket you will remain on the secure side.
What others may be able to confirm ... Is there additional security screening on that side?
I wouldn't think so.
If you luggage is not checked through and you clear immigration in BKK before you check-in again, you'll have the opportunity to put it in your checked luggage before re-checking it.

[johnaalex]

Originally Posted by A4T

When you buy your fav tipple at LHR, get duty free to seal it in a bag with the receipt inside. If you don't they will try and confiscate the item at the gate check in for the internal flight May see you on the flight as I am travelling to BKK on the 9th Jan loads permitting

Thanks for that tip, I am actually flying out on 3 Jan on TG so I'll be there before you

John

[Soupdragon]

Originally Posted by Caerphilly

can't recall seeing a duty free in the internal transfer area at the new airport and 99 pp[ercent certain theres not one at Phuket arrivals

There is a small duty free shop at Phuket arrivals just passed immigration. Never actually been inside so can't comment on the selection available but for sure had shelves full of bottles so presume most popular brands will be available. Would advise you confirm this nearer your flight date as things can change.

[Caerphilly]

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

There is a small duty free shop at Phuket arrivals just passed immigration. . Would advise you confirm this nearer your flight date as things can change.

cheers - never noticed that facilty, will check it out next trip

[Mac]

I have just come back from Greece through Zurich. This booze confiscation is farcial! We arrived in Zurich at gate A64 - transfer is 12 mins as the plane is late. Run through security and board the new plane at --- gate A64. I even had the same seat! (It is the same plane).

Nevertheless anyone with more than 100ML of liquid (ie duty free booze bought at the previous airport and sealed in an airport bag) had it confiscated. I knew this and did not bring any, but suffice to say tempers were flaring particularly as one lady had her chanel collection confiscated. Any items bought in Zurich were of course not confiscated...

Be aware that when in transit any liquids over 100ML will be confiscated. Absolutely ridiculous and frankly this is theft.

Mac

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by Mac

Nevertheless anyone with more than 100ML of liquid (ie duty free booze bought at the previous airport and sealed in an airport bag) had it confiscated.

Be aware that when in transit any liquids over 100ML will be confiscated.

Because the duty free was bought in another country they will not allow it on board. Duty free bought in the same country (sealed in bag) is acceptable , so , if you buy booze in the duty free in Suvarnabhum (BKK) airport when in transit you will be permited to take it on the flight.

[Mac]

Thanks for the clarification. However I was not sure that BM's were aware that aiport secure bags were not effective in transit. So an Emirates flight back to the UK will confiscate any liquids bought in BKK at Dubai. It is ridiculous really as Malt is malt and not explosive.. usually!

Mac

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by Mac

So an Emirates flight back to the UK will confiscate any liquids bought in BKK at Dubai.

On the way out I usually buy my booze and ciggies at Dubai , clear customs in BKK and then stick everything in my suitcase before checking in for HKT flight.

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by faultytowers

On the way out I usually buy my booze and ciggies at Dubai , clear customs in BKK and then stick everything in my suitcase before checking in for HKT flight.

Exactly my intention when I take my Emirates flight in March.

For the uninformed/unaware, this ruling really is a rip-off. If the merchandise is in a sealed bag from duty free, a passenger should be able to take it in their hand luggage through as many transfers as necessary. As said by Mac, it is frankly legalised theft.

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by dawsey

If the merchandise is in a sealed bag from duty free, a passenger should be able to take it in their hand luggage through as many transfers as necessary..

Purely from a security point of view I'd disagree , there are some countries I definately would not trust. Also , who is to say 'exactly' what is in a "sealed" bag that originally started it's journey 2 or 3 countries before ????

[dawsey]

I see your point Mike, but if these "sealed" bags are scanned, and reopened and officially sealed after inspection, at each point of transfer, I wouldn't have a problem with it. It worked perfectly well before the new ruling took place.

For me it is a little over the top, especially sealed bottles of expensive perfume with the airport sticker still attached to the packaging.

[Elgrande]

Originally Posted by dawsey

I see your point Mike, but if these "sealed" bags are scanned, and reopened and officially sealed after inspection, at each point of transfer, I wouldn't have a problem with it. It worked perfectly well before the new ruling took place.

For me it is a little over the top, especially sealed bottles of expensive perfume with the airport sticker still attached to the packaging.

once they're sealed - they're sealed.

only if you open them, then expect to get hassled through the metal detector, before getting on the plane, otherwise, you can travel through 10 countires and not have any issues

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by Elgrande

once they're sealed - they're sealed.

you can travel through 10 countires and not have any issues

Sorry, but that is incorrect. Did you read posts #9 , 10 & 14 in this thread?

If you buy duty frees at point A, which you have to take as hand luggage, you can arrive at point B and take those duty free into the country.
But if you transfer, those goods will be confiscated at Point B if you try to take them onboard again as hand luggage, simply as they were not purchased at Point B.

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by Elgrande

once they're sealed - they're sealed.

only if you open them, then expect to get hassled through the metal detector, before getting on the plane, otherwise, you can travel through 10 countires and not have any issues

This thread was about Thailand , have just checked what the UK rules are.

What about liquids if I am connecting from the EU?

If you are arriving from the EU, you can fly with all liquids purchased from your originating airport or on board your inbound flight, providing you have proof of purchase and the item was bought less than 24 hours previously.

So it seems the rules within the E.U are different , but if travelling from outside the E.U then it's back to 100mls only.

What about liquids if I am connecting from outside of the EU?

If you are arriving from outside of the EU all liquids must be in individual containers not greater than 100ml capacity. They must be placed in one transparent, resealable bag, no larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in) in size, and fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be fastened closed.

Also worth noting for those travelling to America.

Can I buy duty and tax-free goods if I am flying to the USA?

Yes. If you are on a direct flight to the USA, you can "fly with everything you buy" after security. If you are transferring within the USA or Canada you will need to place your purchases over 100ml in your hold baggage, which all passengers have to pick up before transferring to their next flight. Please speak to a member of store staff for details.

[pftw]

When I flew out of BKK in November 07 on the Thai Air non stop to JFK, the security people took a bottle of gin I had bought in the duty free shop that was still in its sealed carrier bag with the till receipt clearly visible off me. Needless to say I walked very, very slowly back to the furthest duty free shop from the gate to get a refund and hold up Thais flight in a petty act of retribution.

[Simbo]

Yet the duty free shops continue to sell their products- surely this is deception. Buy a bottle and have it seized 10 minutes later. One big party every night for the security people. Duty Free should have someone stagging on at the security gate to issue refunds- Yeah Right!!