No more duty free allowance for crew into the UAE

[The.Humble.Guy]

it would appear they are happy to be quite relaxed about, where crew are concerned.

Arrived at EGHQ at 01:00 LT on 01/01/18 and I can guarantee you, not a single custom officer was relaxed about the new rule. The amount of bottles confiscated was enough to stock a typical MMI... My flight deck colleague specifically asked a custom officer if it was true that they are clamping down on bringing alcohol into Dubai when you’re operating crew and he affirmed it.

Many people will find out the hard way that there is no relaxing of this rule by having their booze confiscated.

[Python27]

Guantanamo mode ON...what is next? Curfew for CC....?

[RedB@ron]

No problems

Arrived after noon today with a litre of "Walking Johnny", no problems...

[Jetjock330]

Originally Posted by Jumeirah James

Is it true this doesn't apply to Etihad and other airlines in UAE?

No change from 2 days ago, 31 Dec 17. All still the same.

[Eau de Boeing]

Not true, just saw an F/O get shown the rubber glove room for having a bottle of wine in his bag during the morning arrivals.

[hulabaloome2]

So as usual on here two versions of the same story....some walking through with their Johnnie and some getting pulled.....where’s the truth?

[GillEx737]

I came through from a flight with a couple of 'test' bottles yesterday with no issue so really not sure.

[nolimitholdem]

Originally Posted by hulabaloome2

So as usual on here two versions of the same story....some walking through with their Johnnie and some getting pulled.....where’s the truth?

Can they not both be true? Since when was anything consistent whatsoever in that eff-ed up place?

[Townie]

What about on the freighter where you walk through duty free on arrivals, or other airlines who exit via the terminal at dxb? Is it a ban on duty free from abroad, or duty free period?

I suspect the former, as the shop is still open at arrivals in EGHQ, and the press release says "any purchases abroad...." If it's ok to buy from DDF then the hypocrisy is clear to see.

Maybe someone will correct me, as I don't buy anything in the HQ arrivals shop. Are the cigarettes/perfumes duty free in there? Are they just concerned for our livers, but could care less about the lungs? For sure the DDF shop on exit at DWC is the real deal.

[Monarch Man]

You got it in one, exactly as you described.

[Jetjock330]

Originally Posted by Eau de Boeing

Not true, just saw an F/O get shown the rubber glove room for having a bottle of wine in his bag during the morning arrivals.

And another one had no issue with one bottle in the suitcase yesterday.

[The Outlaw]

I say go ahead and keep bringing all the duty free in that you want despite being told its against the rules of the day. Eventually you'll be asked by your CP why you feel you can break the rules they have so taken vast amounts of pride in making up just to remove any modicum of respect, love or fondness you may have had for the job. They also will start looking to see what other rules you've been breaking. Who knows, maybe you'll be invited to submit your resignation or asked to leave your "A" fund as a donation to help the under privileged get a house, property, wife or a newer Land Cruiser.

Personally I don't see it as a big issue. You'll want your CDT below 1.4 anyway and this one of the ways the company will help you set those goals and besides, all the concerts are "dry" anyway.

Water...its the way of the future. I hear tea and Geritol is nice too.

Oh, and speaking of water, there is a nice water park an hour up the road. Sometimes I get lost along the way and find a small resort close by...now if I could only remember the name of it....hmmm

[GillEx737]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

Oh, and speaking of water, there is a nice water park an hour up the road. Sometimes I get lost along the way and find a small resort close by...now if I could only remember the name of it....hmmm

Oh yes...on the way to Dreamland. How apt!

[springbok449]

Let’s face it, customs have probably been given the directive by EK, it is not first time!

Remember when we were made to go via EGHQ instead of going straight through the terminal so that we could catch a flight home? EK blamed that on the authorities too, yet I asked the officials and they knew nothing about it...

Same story with not being allowed to bring an extra bag with you on a trip rule...

[falconeasydriver]

Went through the other Dubai airport afternoon of the 1st, purchased 4 litres for an EK mate at the DDF shop just past the scanners. No problems at all, probably helped that I’m no longer EK and was dressed in my work shirt and tie, not a pilots uniform.

[JAARule]

Originally Posted by Townie

What about on the freighter where you walk through duty free on arrivals

Are the cigarettes/perfumes duty free in there?

Originally Posted by falconeasydriver

Went through the other Dubai airport afternoon of the 1st, purchased 4 litres for an EK mate at the DDF shop just past the scanners

They just want your money spent locally instead of abroad. Spend as much as you like on arrival.

Booze has always had tax on it whereas for everything else the whole city is "duty free" (barring this VAT) although it's not profit free so still a rip off in a lot of cases.

This move will see the popularity of some of the fellas who brew their own go through the roof.

[4runner]

My Family lived in Pakistan for nearly 20 years. When my Mom would go off to boarding school, and later university, my grandfather would turn her bathroom into a gin still.

[Kamelchaser]

Originally Posted by JAARule

Booze has always had tax on it whereas for everything else the whole city is "duty free" (barring this VAT) although it's not profit free so still a rip off in a lot of cases.

Can't agree with you there JAA. All goods are subject to a minimum 5% import duty into the UAE. Some more.

Interestingly, try buying a MacBook at Dubai Duty Free. It's the same price as the Apple Store in MOE. However DDF don't pay the import duty. Duty free without the savings. Marvelous business model.

[JAARule]

Originally Posted by Kamelchaser

All goods are subject to a minimum 5% import duty into the UAE.

Is that so... The whole place is marketed as "tax free shopping" in the malls but I guess they're careful not to say "duty free."

And you're spot on... in fact many of the "tax free" prices are higher than the same item priced with tax included overseas however people fall for the hype.

Maybe there's a parallel with the hype, albeit lesser these days, regarding the "tax free" salary paid by EK. No income tax but lower gross than many first world airlines and many other taxing aspects to the lifestyle.

[eagleflight]

duty free ≠ profit free