EU Commission confirms third country duty-free sales

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The European Commission has confirmed that travellers who fly from the EU to a third country, but who stop over in another EU country can buy duty-free at both EU locations.

During a meeting with the International Travel Retail Confederation (ITRC) earlier this week (5th March), representatives from the Commission's taxation directorate confirmed it was allowable to sell tax- and duty-free products to travellers who take a connecting flight within the EU but whose final destination is a third country. This opinion was contained in a letter to the head of Italian Customs.

The ITRC welcomed the decision, which has already been adopted in some states such as the UK, but not in others, such as Italy, until now.

Commenting on the decision, ITRC director-general, Keith Spinks, said: "It is a major tribute to our Italian colleagues that their low key approach with Italian Customs has allowed the Commission to consider their decision without inviting opposition from any other Member States' authorities."