Duty Free Liquids

[Bravohotel]

On a recent International flight from Auckland to Brisbane I purchased some duty free airside prior to boarding the Aircraft,on arrival I proceeded to the transit area for my next international flight,but they have another security screening area prior to going upstairs to the transit/departure gates.I removed my laptop & small DVD player from my carryon bag but did not remove my duty free,the officer was quick to point out that the bag contained liquid,I removed the offending liquid,only to be told they were going to confiscate it as it exceeded the limit you can carryon a Aircraft (just been in one for 3 hours)the bottle was sealed and you could see that it had not been tampered with.I complained to the supervisor only to be told that was the rules.I can't understand why they need another airside screening checkpoint as you have just got off an Aircraft,not walked in off the street.
I contacted Customs and received an email within a day or so explaining it was not a customs problem,but the Department of Transport and regional services (DOTARS) and my email had been referred to them,as yet I'am awaiting a response.After clearing the checkpoint I proceeded to the Duty free outlet to re-purchase what I had just lost a mere 50meters away.
On return to Auckland I will contact the Duty free outlet to get them to put up a sign or ask the customer if they are transitting to another International flight after this one!!!! as any duty free liquid exceeding the limit you may well loose it!!!!maybe the screening contracting company are stocking up for the office Christmas party.

[el #]

With all the understanding for the loss of your bottle, what one should do in these cases, is to go to the nearest WC, pour liquids, then return with the empty bottle to the same line. If security still want to confiscate it, so be.

[radeng]

Far more evil is to empty contents down loo, p*ss in it, top up with water, and then let them confiscate it!

[Chica]

At Lisbon airport duty free shop they now seal your duty free purchases in "tamper proof" plastic bags.

I dont know if this is a way to resolve the problem facing those who need to connect to a domestic flight to reach home after an international flight.

I travel regularly from LIS to IOM via LGW but havent yet tested this system with Gatwick security - it would pain me too much to loose a bottle of quality port.

[10secondsurvey]

The Liquids thing is really quite a mess now.

I heartily agree with the other posters, that when faced with such a situation, go back to toilets, and pour down drain. Do not let these people get it.

Even better don't buy duty free in airports at all with these silly rules. The rules would change very rapidly indeed if nobody bought duty free anymore.

just imagine all those shops at lhr with no customers..

[10secondsurvey]

radeng,

your suggestion is very elegant.

Does anyone actually know what happens to such 'confiscated' bottles of alcohol?

[MuttleyJ]

They get consumed at customs parties?

[Gulfstreamaviator]

They always did in the past

can not say now, but would be surprised if it still happened. (well not 100%)......................glf

[Bravohotel]

Radeng...Good idea,but in this case it was Vodka,and they may notice the colour change....as this was not a customs area I would think my Vodka would not make the next customs auction!!!! and what happens to all the toothpaste,hairgels and water bottles...this liquid thing is stupid.Last month I was in the USA and put up with all this stuff...my departure was out of LAX and at the screening point it was a shambles and after removing my shoes,laptop I forgot my legal liquids all packed in the little plastic bag........guess what my carryon bag went through the scanner and not a word was said....

[joniveson]

The liquids rules are a mess but all credit to the duty free staff in LHR T3 who asked me where I was flying to when I got to the checkout and then told me I wouldn't be able to take my bottle on to my connection and stopped me from buying it. No duty free for me but on the other hand no money down the drain

[Rainboe]

Paris had a nice little scam going of the Airport shop selling discount perfumes, then you go through security and it all gets confiscated again! Must have been thousands and thousands of pounds a day. Tell me they're not working a nice little earner!

[radeng]

radeng has been 'hors de combat' - off work since May, and won't be back in work this year. Kidney problems, leading to a 28 day stay in 2 hospitals, and after the diuretic started working, you wouldn't have notice the colour difference between the p*ss and vodka! Not when 7.85 litres came out in 24 hours......Could have filled several bottles for you without any dilution!!
But going through LHR T4 to Lyons and back with medicine in 150mL bottles, and lots of nice sharp needles for injection, no problems. Lengthy talk with the woman at T4 security about the problems that Metformin and Simvastatin can have on liver functions, though - her husband is diabetic too!

[fallen]

I can't understand why they need another airside screening checkpoint as you have just got off an Aircraft,

You were screened in NZ. Aus has slightly different screening rules. You need to be re-screened to those rules. That's the regulations. It would be unmanageable to allow exemptions.

Does anyone actually know what happens to such 'confiscated' bottles of alcohol?

I would assume different countries have different disposal procedures. In Aus, the stuff is dumped. At the Aus. airport i work at, it is crushed :-(

but all credit to the duty free staff in LHR T3 who asked me where I was flying

The Duty free staff at the airport where I work's has this policy also.

[Bravohotel]

Thanks Fallen....I will not be doing that again......but I will inform the duty free outlets at Auckland on the Aussi screening rules... for transit pax could save someone a few bucks... I only lost $40.00 NZ dollars.