Frequently asked questions
About World Duty Free
Can I buy from this website?
No, not at present. At the moment this site is designed to give you information about the wide range of goods available to buy at World Duty Free when you reach the airport. Other facilities to improve your buying experience are under way and will be announced shortly. We are always looking for ways to improve our services - please email us with any comments at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Why should I wait to buy my products at the airport?
There are loads of great reasons to buy your personal and gift purchases at World Duty Free. Take some time to browse our category sections (Fashion accessories, Confectionery, Beauty & Suncare for example), detailed at the top of this page.
Where are World Duty Free stores located?
Duty-free goods and products sold at airport prices are located after security control at the airport. Please click here for for airport maps.
Hasn’t duty-free been abolished?
No. See our pricing policy for further explanation of the savings you can make by buying at the airport. Spirits and cigarettes at duty-free prices are only available to customers travelling outside the European Union (EU) - click here for details. However, you can still save on certain spirits if you are flying within the EU. And wherever you are flying, you can shop at World Duty Free for fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, wine, champagne, watches, sunglasses and a whole range of other great products at great value prices - click here for details.
What is meant by duty-free?
Duty-free products are available to passengers travelling outside the EU - click here for a full explanation. Look out for the green labels in-store. For example, save up to 50%* off the UK High Street price of spirits. |  |
If duty-free products are restricted to passengers travelling outside the EU, what offers are available to passengers to all destinations?
Offers are available wherever you are flying. Look out for the blue labels in-store. Example offers: • Everyone can save up to 40% off selected UK High Street prices on perfume. |  |
What do you mean by airport prices?
Click here for information on airport prices.
Can I use Shop and Collect?
Only customers travelling within the tax territory of the EU can make use of the shopping collection service. Click here for further details.
Are there limits on the amount I can buy?
There is no restriction on the amount customers can purchase in our stores. Passengers' allowances are dictated by their destination country. Click here for full details of Customs allowances.
How can I find out if the products I want are in stock?
Please contact our Customer Support Team on +44 (0) 20 8757 3825, Monday to Friday 09.00 to 17.00 (excluding bank holidays). We can check availability for you straight away, or call you back with the information. Alternatively, you can email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
What can I buy in the Arrivals shop (World Shopping) when I get back?
You can buy a range of spirits, fragrances, skincare products and gift items at airport prices on your return to the UK -click here for more information. These stores are at Gatwick North and Gatwick South Terminals, Heathrow Terminals 1, 3 and 4, and UK Domestic Arrivals at Heathrow Terminal 1, Glasgow and Edinburgh. These stores are called World Shopping.
What if I change my mind after I’ve left the airport or something goes wrong with my purchase?
Don’t worry! You can return anything you’ve bought at World Duty Free for any reason within three months of purchase for a full refund or replacement – click here for more information.
Beauty & suncare
Do I need to book for the free Beauty Makeover?
You don't have to book for your makeover. However, you should visit the World Duty Free store/Beauty Consultants as soon as you arrive in the Departures lounge. Tell your consultant how much time you have before you fly so your makeover can be timed accordingly. You should allow additional time at the airport to make sure you don’t miss out.
Can I buy sunscreen all year round?
Yes – World Duty Free offer a wide selection of suncare products, 365 days a year.
What does Retail Travel Exclusive mean?
We secure a large number of products that are exclusive to World Duty Free or to selected travel retailers only - for example, a product might be exclusive to World Duty Free for a selected period (which will be detailed), or might not be available to purchase anywhere else on the UK High Street.
Fashion accessories
Does World Duty Free sell clothing?
WDF sell a wide range of fashion accessories, from jewellery to watches, from sunglasses to leather goods such as handbags. Unfortunately, at this time we do not sell clothing. Do keep coming back, however, to check out new arrivals!
What happens if I buy earrings, then decide they are not quite right – can I return them?
As long as you have not worn the earrings, our Refund Guarantee will apply - please click here for more information. If you have worn the earrings we will be unable to refund your purchase unless the product is faulty. This does not affect your statutory rights.
Fragrances
What do family, note and subnote mean?
There are 13 fragrance families:
Floral
Soft Floral
Floral Oriental
Soft Oriental
Oriental
Woody Oriental
Woods
Mossy Woods
Dry Woods
Citrus
Green
Water
Aromatic Fougères.
Since emotions play such a large part in the sense of smell, people assume there is no logic in their choice of fragrances. Yet it is likely that at least two of their favourite fragrances belong to the same family. The family holds the key to your fragrance preference. Each of our fragrances will belong to one of the 13 distinct families.
There are 4 fragrance notes. Think of fragrances as musical notes, with the freshest, highest notes being Fresh and Crisp and the richest, deepest notes being Classical or Rich. Each of our fragrances will have one of the following notes:
Fresh: the most effervescent fragrances in the family
Crisp: lively interpretations with a crisp accent
Classical: balanced notes characteristic of the family
Rich: the richer, deeper fragrances.
There are four fragrance subnotes. Grouping the Fresh and Crisp fragrances under the headings Citrus-Fruity, Green, Water and White Flowers makes it easier to imagine the scent of each fragrance. Green notes, for example, will add the sharp freshness of green leaves or crushed grass. A hint of green will make a fragrance crisp while a touch more will make it fresh.
Citrus-Fruity notes come from citrus oils, from apple and apricot, melon and peach, plum and exotic fruits. Their scent adds a tangy freshness quite different from the sharper Green notes. Water notes, by contrast, capture the cool freshness of sea air or the pure scent of a waterfall. The scents of fresh White Flowers add the sweet, soft, fresh accents of lily of the valley and jasmine.
Michael Edwards © Fragrance Family Classification
What is the difference between parfum, eau de parfum (EDP), eau de toilette (EDT) and eau de cologne (EDC)?
These terms represent different concentrations of perfume essence. The greater the concentration, the longer it lasts. Many people describe any fragrance as “perfume” regardless of the actual description.
Parfum: a concentrate of 15% to 30% perfume essence, the strongest fragrance available (lasts 5 to 6 hours)
Eau de parfum: lighter than perfume with 8% to 15% concentrate (lasts around 3 to 4 hours)
Eau de toilette: a more delicate fragrance with 4% to 8% concentrate (lasts round 2 to 3 hours)
Eau de cologne: traditionally a male fragrance, with 3% to 5% concentration of perfume lasting 1 to 2 hours.
Sunglasses
Do you have sunglasses for winter sun or skiing?
Yes, we sell a range of sunglasses suitable for winter sun/skiing activities. Please ask in-store to see the selection available.
Do you stock children's sunglasses?
Yes, we stock a range of children’s sunglasses.
Wine & spirits
How much alcohol can I take out of the UK?
There is no restriction on the amount customers can purchase in our stores. Passengers' allowances are dictated by their destination country.
Click here for full details of Customs allowances.
How much can I bring into the UK?
Click here for full details of UK Customs allowances.
What is the bottle size for wines and spirits available at World Duty Free?
World Duty Free tend to sell wines and spirits in the following bottle sizes. However, wherever a price is given, the size will be highlighted. Spirits: 1 litre (100cl). Wine and champagne: 75cl.