By Lena Hoffmann, airport editor
Quick answer: Duty-free shopping at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is run by Heinemann, with Duty Free & Travel Value stores airside (post-security) in Terminal 1 (three) and Terminal 2. The single most important thing to know before you shop: the real tax-and-duty saving only applies if your flight leaves the European Union (for example the UK, Switzerland, Turkey or the USA). On flights within the EU there is no duty-free on alcohol and tobacco; the same shops sell everything at normal "travel value" retail prices, just without the tax break.
BER duty free at a glance
| Operator | Heinemann Duty Free & Travel Value |
| Where | Airside (after security): three shops in Terminal 1, one in Terminal 2 |
| Main store | T1 Departures, Market Place (Level 1), the largest, widest range |
| Real duty-free? | Only on flights leaving the EU; within the EU it is travel value (no tax saving on alcohol/tobacco) |
| Sells | Perfume & cosmetics, spirits & wine, tobacco, sweets, sunglasses, souvenirs |
| Pre-order | Heinemann Reserve & Collect online, pick up in store |
Where are the duty-free shops at BER?
All of them are past security, in the departures (airside) zone, there is no duty-free landside, so shop after you have cleared the control. In Terminal 1 there are three Heinemann stores:
- Departures, Market Place (Level 1), the flagship walkthrough store with the full range, open from early morning (around 03:30) until the last departure.
- Gate C2 (Level 2), wine, spirits, perfume, sweets, tobacco and regional products, open in line with the flight schedule.
- Gate A31 (Level 1), a smaller shop with the bestsellers, roughly 05:00 to 21:00.
Terminal 1 also has a separate Heinemann Trend store, a beauty and cosmetics concept, alongside the three duty-free shops.
Terminal 2 has its own Heinemann duty-free store in the post-security area, so travellers from either terminal are covered.
When is it actually "duty-free" at BER?
This is where most travellers overpay by assumption. "Duty-free" means the price has no import duty or VAT, and under EU rules that is only allowed when you are leaving the European Union. So:
- Flying outside the EU (UK, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, USA, UAE and so on), you get genuine duty-free prices on alcohol, tobacco, perfume and more.
- Flying within the EU, there is no duty-free on alcohol or tobacco. The shop is still open to you as "travel value", but you pay normal retail with tax included, so compare before assuming it is a bargain.
The till applies the correct pricing automatically from your boarding pass, which you will be asked to show.
Duty-free liquids and connecting flights
If you buy liquids over 100 ml duty-free (a bottle of spirits or perfume) and you have a connecting flight, keep them sealed in the tamper-evident bag (STEB) with the receipt inside. That lets the liquids through the next security check. Bought outside the EU and connecting in Berlin? The same rule applies, do not open the bag until you reach your final destination, or you may lose the items at the transfer security point.
FAQ
Is there duty-free at Berlin Airport?
Yes. Heinemann runs Duty Free & Travel Value shops airside in both Terminal 1 (three stores) and Terminal 2. The genuine duty-free saving applies only on flights leaving the EU; within the EU the same shops sell at travel-value retail prices.
Where is the main duty-free shop at BER?
The flagship Heinemann store is in Terminal 1 at Departures, Market Place on Level 1 (airside). It is the largest, with the widest range, and opens early, around 03:30 until the last flight.
Can I buy duty-free on a flight within the EU?
You can shop, but there is no duty-free saving on alcohol or tobacco for intra-EU flights, that is travel value, priced at normal retail with tax. Real duty-free prices apply only when your destination is outside the EU.
Can I take duty-free liquids through a connecting flight?
Yes, if they stay sealed in the tamper-evident bag (STEB) with the receipt visible inside. Do not open it before your final destination, or the liquids may be taken at the next security check.
Can I reserve duty-free items in advance at BER?
Yes. Heinemann offers Reserve & Collect: order online before you fly and pick the items up in the store airside, which locks in the range and saves browsing time.
Related: Smoking areas at BER · BER terminals guide · Layover at Berlin Airport
About the author
Lena Hoffmann is the airport editor for berlin-ber-international-airport.com. She checks this guide against the official BER shopping pages and the Heinemann store listings.
