The increase in foreign exchange rates has not slowed down sales at duty free points; sales points without customs taxes had a turnover of over 1 billion euros last year.
According to the data obtained by an Anadolu Agency (AA) reporter from the General Directorate of Customs of the Ministry of Customs and Trade, the total sales revenues of products, such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, other tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, perfume, cosmetic products and foodstuffs, was 1.05 billion euros. Total sales at duty frees were around 996 million euros in 2012 and due to the FED's announcement to reduce bond purchases in 2013, the total sales were only around 356 million euros.
However, duty frees succeeded in eliminating risks and increased their turnover three fold in 2014, while one duty free shop's turnover accounted for almost half of the total turnover, equaling 489.1 million euros. Only one duty free shop was closed down last year, while five new shops were opened, increasing the total number of duty frees located at border gates to 174. Out of these 174 shops, 17 are located at land entry points, 110 at airports, 18 at marine ports, and one is a diplomatic duty free, while eight are used for on board sales, two on marine vessels and 18 are warehouses.
