Tuesday, 07 July 2015 13:26

Gran Canaria Shopping: Duty Free Allowances & Prices

Duty free allowances and prices in Gran Canaria Duty free allowances and prices in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is not part of the EU Customs Union so allowances are stingy by European standards. On the plus side, prices are low in the Canary Islands thank to low VAT and taxes. 

Duty free allowances for people over 17 flying from Gran Canaria and all the Canary Islands are as follows...

  • 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250gms of tobacco. You can mix and match provided that you don't exceed the total tobacco allowance.
  • 4L of still wine.
  • 1L of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22% or 2L of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs up to 22%. You can mix and match provided that you don't exceed your total alcohol allowance.  
  • 16L of beer (good luck getting that home in your luggage allowance).

What to buy in Gran Canaria

Cigarettes are as cheap as they come in Gran Canaria with a sleeve of 200 top brand ciggies like Marlboro and B&H costing less than 30 euros. A litre bottle of local Arehucas rum and brand spirits like Smirnoff vodka costs less than 10 euros in local supermarkets. Perfumes are also significantly cheaper than in most European countries, as are cameras and electronic goods, thanks to low VAT levels.   

Where to buy duty-free in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria airport is rarely the best place to buy duty-free perfume, cigarettes and alcohol. Prices are almost always cheaper in local supermarkets like Hiperdino and Spar and in specialist shops like Fundgrube (for perfume). Buying local has the added advantage that you can pack your duty free in your suitcase and forget about it until you arrive home. 

Published in Shopping

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Tip of the day

  • Tip Of The Day: Avoid Bank Card Charges By Paying In Euros
    Tip Of The Day: Avoid Bank Card Charges By Paying In Euros

    Save money and avoid rip-off bank charges while in Gran Canaria by paying in euros when using your credit or debit card.

    Many bars and restaurants in Gran Canaria, and in almost all European holiday destinations, give you the option of paying in euros or in your home currency. Opting for your own currency, while it may seem like the safer option, can add as much as 5% to the bill as it triggers dynamic currency conversion. 

    DCC basically means that the exchange rate is calculated at point of sale rather than by your bank. It allows you to see the total cost of the transaction in your own currency but adds up to 5% to the total because it uses a terrible exchange rate. 

    Since the extra money is shared between your bank and the merchant, some places will automatically bill you in your own currency and hope you don't notice. You have the legal right to refuse and void the transaction should this happen. 

    ATMs too

    The same applies when taking money out of ATM machines in Gran Canaria (and anywhere in Europe); Always choose the local currency option to avoid losing money to poor exchange rates.

    If you opt for the local currency option, using bank ATMs is often the cheapest and safest way of getting euros in Gran Canaria. It's far safer than having a big pile of euros hidden in your room or tucked into your shorts.

    More details in this Daily Telegraph article.

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