Buying in Andorra
The Andorran commercial tradition is widely known. The competitive
prices are the result of a lower tax level than other countries. Shops
have become more specialized in order to offer more professionalism to
the customers and this trend has converted Andorra into a universe of exclusive
and original mall. Wide range of items and very competitive products may
be found in jewelleries, opticians, perfumeries, sports shops, antiquarians,
shops of electronics, scale models, delicatessen or those dedicated to
fashion clothes.
The excellent prices and outstanding quality are the hallmark of Andorra's
retail trade. Some 4,000 shops endorse the commercial credit of the country.
The department stores do not close neither at midday nor on holidays,
and on Sunday most of the shops do not close in the morning, and some are
open in the afternoon. Everything is conceived to accomodate the customer.
Another important aspect is the agreement with the European Union on
duty-free allowances that substantially extend the quantities and/or values
of the duty-free products that may be purchased in Andorra and taken to
the countries belonging to the EU.
The trading hours
The trading hours are the following:
- department stores:
9 a.m.-8 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
9 a.m.-9 p.m. (Saturday)
9 a.m.-7 p.m. (Sunday)
- shops and boutiques:
9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-8 p.m. (Monday-Saturday)
9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-7 p.m. (Sunday)
The duty-free allowances
|
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
|
| Coffee | 1,000 g of coffee or 400 g of extracts |
| Tea | 200 g of tea or 80 g of extracts |
| Alcohol (*) | 1,5 l of spirits over 22 degrees
or 3 l of spirits and aperitifs below 22 degrees or sparkling wines 5 l of drinking table wine |
| Tobacco (*) | 300 cigarrettes
or 150 cigars (less than 3 g apiece) or 75 cigars (more than 3 g apiece) or 400 g of pipe tobacco |
| Other agricultural products | Up to a value of 175 ecus
Persons under 15 up to a value of 90 écus - without exceeding: 2,5 kg of powdered milk 3 kg of condensed milk 6 kg of fresh milk 1 kg of butter 4 kg of cheese 5 kg of sugar and sweets 5 kg of meat |
|
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
|
| Perfumes | 75 g of perfumes
375 ml of colognes |
| Other industrial products | Up to a value of 525 ecus
Persons under 15, up to a value of 270 ecus |
The permissible quantities of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, coffee, tea, perfumes and colognes are limited but their value is not taken into consideration. On the other hand, the permissible quantities of milk, butter, sugar and sweets and meat are also limited and their value is taken into account. For all other agricultural products (foods, beverages and tobacco) or industrial products (manufactured goods not including food), the limit is based on value alone.
All products that exceed the individual duty-free allowances must be declared at customs. The value of allowances may not be accumulated either between travellers or between agricultural and industrial products for the purpose of taking a product whose value exceeds the respective individual allowance.
Before crossing the border, request information at the Community Customs
on the special limitations that may apply, particularly on animal or vegetable
products, live animals, species in danger of extinction, pharmaceuticals,
weapons and ammunition, work of art and collector's items, foreign currency,
gold and means of payment.
Send us your suggestions
 |