Foreigners can get 50% more alcohol at duty-free stores

Foreign passport holders can buy more booze from zero-duty stores:The Finance Ministry made amendments to the customs law that will allow foreigners to buy up to 3 liters of alcohol for personal use from state-owned zero-duty stores, up from two liters currently, Al Mal reports.

But that extra liter will cost you: Buyers will face a higher fee equivalent to 25% of the customs rate on the additional liter of alcohol. The current 1% rate will still apply to the first two liters. Alcohol imports face customs taxes of between 1,200% and 3,000%, depending on the proof level.

This is in addition to the recently approved tax changes that impose a 3% charge on purchases from zero-duty shops and a 10% tax on purchases of more than 1 liter of alcohol.

A USD 13 minimum customs fee per liter remains unchanged: The minimum customs tax fee to be paid on each liter of distilled alcohol remains unchanged at USD 13.

The limit is USD 200: Buyers can purchase up to USD 200 worth of items without duties at approved stores within 48 hours of arriving in the country. This is limited to 3 liters of distilled alcohol and two cartons of cigarettes. They have the option to replace one liter of distilled alcohol with one carton of beer.