Sealable bags to pack duty free goods at DIA

Since the introduction of restrictions over the quantity of liquids, aersols and gels (LAGs) that can be carried in hand baggage, duty free shops have reported a drop in sales because of confusion in passengers’ minds over what duty free items are permissible.

Tracey Reid recently travelled to Egypt and Australia and said she remained unclear about how the rules affected duty free products.

“Maybe it’s not that clear. I’m not going to waste $150 if I’m going to lose it,” she said.

Reid did carry two moisturisers but was careful she observed the LAGs rules and each moisturiser was under 100ml.

However, travel agents maintain passengers can buy LAG quantities of any amount from duty free.

An International Travel Service (ITS) spokesperson said a passenger could, for example, buy a two litre bottle of shampoo. “There is no restriction on amount,” he said.

An Al Tayer Travel Agency spokesperson said duty free products of any quantity could be bought and taken on board. “It is sealed and they can take it on board. But, it can’t be opened,” he said.

However, both travel agents said there were some differences between airlines and countries.

Travellers who buy duty free products must clear a series of questions, including their destination and airline, by sales assistants or risk having the products confiscated.

A Dubai Duty Free spokesperson was not available for comment but a Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DDCA) spokesperson said DDF had issued a directive to assist passengers with as much clarity as possible.

“Dubai Duty Free sales assistants in all outlets selling liquids, aerosols or gels (LAGs) will ask passengers their destination, and whether they will be transiting to another destination at the end of their flight from Dubai,” he said.

“For all other non-transit passengers, there are no restrictions regarding LAGs and they will be given the LAGs in the Dubai Duty Free plastic bags,” he added.

Different airlines have different methods for dealing with duty free products.

“Passengers whose final destination is reached on their outbound flight from Dubai (non-transit passengers) will be further asked if they are going to the United States, India on Air India or to Australia,” he said. “For Air India passengers going to India, the sales assistant will arrange for gate delivery of LAGs at the boarding gate, and the passenger can take it on board.”

A British Airways spokesperson confirmed non-transit passengers could purchase any liquid item at duty free shop after clearing security. “The limit of duty free allowance for individual passengers is determined not by British Airways (or indeed any airline) but by the relevant airport authority in the country of origin,” he pointed out.

An Emirates spokesperson said from July 1, liquids and gels in any volume, purchased at airport retail outlets or on board the aircraft must be carried in a security tamper-evident bag (STEB) and protected from interference.

The DDCA spokesperson said all countries had different restrictions on duty free LAGs again. “For EU and Australia, they will be advised not to purchase LAGs as these will be confiscated at the transit airport,” he said, adding, “For Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong, passengers will be advised not to purchase until the STEBs are available at Dubai Duty Free.”

Once sealed, the bags, which are yet to be introduced at all airports, cannot be opened and then re-sealed without obvious signs of tampering.