Relay Flights and Duties

[MilkyWind]

I'm planning to bring 1 litre of alcohol with me to Malaysia (which is the duty free exemption) as a gift.

My flight will be stopping in Japan for 12 hours before heading to Malaysia. At that time, I'm pretty sure my luggage will still be on the plane as it's a relay flight.

Japan only allows 3 bottles of alcohol to be brought in duty free. Since it is a relay flight, would I still have to pay the duties in Japan if I go over the limit?



Sorry for the newb question. This is the first time I've travelled.

[FunSave22]

I'm not certain what you mean by relay flight. Do you mean connecting flight?


Anyway, it probably doesn't matter much. If you are planning to stay in the secure section of the airport, you won't be processed by Japanese immigration and customs. It's only if you try to leave the secure section, would you go through customs.



Just so you know, you do have the option to purchase duty free alcohol in Vancouver, after you go through security. This alcohol will be much cheaper than alcohol you can purchase in the city.

You will also likely have the same opportunity in the Japanese airport, although I'm not 100% certain. This would probably be the best option, unless you are trying to bring a specific brand which you aren't certain duty free stores would carry.

[FunSave22]

Since it's likely you are connecting through Narita, I did a quick search and confirmed that you can get duty free alcohol in that airport. So unless you need a certain brand, this would probably be your best choice.

http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/shops/duty_brand/index.html

[MilkyWind]

I don't understand the "duty free" shops concept. If I buy alcohol from the shops in the airports, I won't have pay any of the other country's duties when I arrive there with it? Is the duty already included in the initial purchase of the alcohol or something?

And how can the other country know the alcohol you're bringing was brought from a duty free shop?

I was planning on bringing some Canadian ice cider and ice wine as a gift to my friend in Malaysia. Japan will be my connecting flight, but I will be staying in Japan for 12 hours. I will be shuttled to a hotel paid for the airline. I assume I wouldn't get my luggage when I'm in Japan for the 12 hours, so I guess I wouldn't be declaring anything?

and btw funsave, thanks for the reply =)

[FunSave22]

I don't understand the "duty free" shops concept. If I buy alcohol from the shops in the airports, I won't have pay any of the other country's duties when I arrive there with it? Is the duty already included in the initial purchase of the alcohol or something?
I guess the name isn't the most useful. Tax-free would be better.

Alcohol in Canada (and many other countries) is taxed quite heavily. Duty free shops are allowed to sell alcohol without any taxes, as long as the alcohol is going to be taken out of the country. So alcohol in the duty free shop in the Vancouver airport will be considerably cheaper than anywhere else in the city.

I think there's a good chance they would have ice wine, although I don't know about ice cider. If you go to the airport website, you might be able to get a phone number to call and ask.



I was planning on bringing some Canadian ice cider and ice wine as a gift to my friend in Malaysia. Japan will be my connecting flight, but I will be staying in Japan for 12 hours. I will be shuttled to a hotel paid for the airline. I assume I wouldn't get my luggage when I'm in Japan for the 12 hours, so I guess I wouldn't be declaring anything?
I think there's a good chance you will be getting your luggage. And you will be going through customs and immigration in Tokyo, unless this hotel is located in the secure section of the airport, which it doesn't sound like it is.

With that being said if you are planning to only bring 1 litre, I expect you should be fine. I don't know the Japanese rules but I doubt they have a problem bringing in 1 litre, even if it is in multiple bottles.


You might want to give your airline a call to confirm exactly what is going to happen in Tokyo though.



ps: And just so you know, Japan fingerprints all foreigners entering the country. So if you do need to go through immigration to get to this hotel, now you won't be as surprised. (Instead maybe you're annoyed. :))

[MilkyWind]

I guess the name isn't the most useful. Tax-free would be better.

Alcohol in Canada (and many other countries) is taxed quite heavily. Duty free shops are allowed to sell alcohol without any taxes, as long as the alcohol is going to be taken out of the country. So alcohol in the duty free shop in the Vancouver airport will be considerably cheaper than anywhere else in the city.

I think there's a good chance they would have ice wine, although I don't know about ice cider. If you go to the airport website, you might be able to get a phone number to call and ask.





Thanks for the info!

What's preventing someone from buying the alcohol from a duty free shop in Canada and just using it here?


If I do have to pass through immigration to get to the hotel, won't they be asking what's in my luggage and if I have any thing I have to pay duty on? OR would they just be leant that I'll be passing through? I will be sure to ask my travel agent/airline about it.

[FunSave22]

Thanks for the info!

What's preventing someone from buying the alcohol from a duty free shop in Canada and just using it here?
The duty free shops are only available after security in the US and international section of the airport. So you need to have a ticket.

So if you buy duty free it will be in your carry on luggage, not checked, as you will have already checked your luggage.



If I do have to pass through immigration to get to the hotel, won't they be asking what's in my luggage and if I have any thing I have to pay duty on? OR would they just be leant that I'll be passing through? I will be sure to ask my travel agent/airline about it.
I'm not entirely certain. I expect you'll be okay, but I'd suggest talking to someone who knows for sure.




And here's another problem. I just checked and Japan has restrictions of liquids being taking through security in carry on baggage, just like Canada. (You can buy liquids in duty free shops because they are after security).

So if you do go to a hotel in Tokyo and have to pass through security on the way back into the airport, you won't be able to have liquids in your carry on.

So using the duty free in Vancouver could be a big problem. I'd suggest either using the duty free in Tokyo, or if you know you want to bring ice wine, store them in your checked luggage and don't use duty free.


http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/security/liquid/index.html