The article delves into the ongoing debate about duty-free shopping, sparked by a user's claim on social media about the necessity of showing a boarding pass at airport shops. The user recounted a conversation with a staff member at Amsterdam Airport, who stated that a boarding pass is required to determine whether the customer is traveling outside the EU. This implies that the shop can save on value-added tax (VAT) if customers are flying internationally. However, the article reveals that such savings do not translate into lower prices for consumers, as a seller confirmed that the shop retains the 21% VAT savings without passing any benefit onto the buyer.

This claim prompted responses from the Lithuanian Association of Accountants and Auditors (LBAA) and representatives of Lithuanian airports (LTOU), who challenged the notion that customers benefit from duty-free shopping. The article highlights the confusion among shoppers regarding actual savings, suggesting that the rules governing duty-free sales should be clearer to avoid misunderstandings. Many customers might believe that purchasing in these stores guarantees better prices without realizing that shops may not always pass savings onto them.

In summary, the article invites readers to question the true value of duty-free shopping and encourages more informed purchasing decisions by providing clarity on how these stores operate. The implications of this discussion also point to a need for better consumer education regarding tax regulations and retailers' pricing strategies in duty-free contexts.