The travellers will have to make do without their favourite drinks purchased in the duty free shops soon. The decision to cancel duty free shopping zone over the European Union should be a start to a unified tax system due to enter in force on July 1 1999.

With 4,5 bil. pounds turnover in the EU itself., the duty free shopping started off in 1947 and it became a favourite service for international travellers. The airports apportion large sums gained from this service in support of their operating expenses. Higher airport rates to be paid by the traveller may be expected after the cancellation of the duty free shopping on most European airports in near future.

The duty free shopping would lose justified ground for people travelling within the Customs Union. But they will be much missed by those for whom the cheaper bottle of liqueur became a habit. After July 1 1999 a traveller cruising from Portsmouth to Bilbao may encounter four different rates for the same drink, passing British, French, international duty free and Spanish waters.

The official authorities are concerned that "liqueur tourism" business will experience a boom, with many people touring the world to drink cheaper liqueur in international duty free waters.

Slovak Trade FORUM