Tax free Chanel Heathrow London Airport
Dear Chanel, why did you stop stocking iconic bags at Heathrow? You heartbreaker! The most favorite store for every Chanel shopper is the Chanel boutique in London Heathrow airport at Terminal 3. More about this later on.Located in the United Kingdom, near London, the Heathrow Airport is one of the most popular destinations to shop for designer handbags. Why? Because our favorite brands are located at the tax-free area. So why not shop Chanel, Hermes, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada at Heathrow airport.
| Guide To Heathrow Airport Overview |
|
VAT free is better than VAT refund
Europe is already famous for shopping high fashion goods, because they’re cheaper than most of the countries due to the VAT refund policy. However, if you apply for VAT refund, you need to pay a fee to the company that helps you process the application. But if you buy directly at Heathrow airport, the VAT will not be included in the price and thus you don’t need to apply for tax-refund at all.
Price comparison Heathrow airport vs boutiques
To clarify what we mean by VAT free is better than a refund, we made a calculation between buying at Heathrow airport and at the boutiques.We took the current retail price of the Chanel Jumbo Classic Flap Bag, which is £4450 GBP (price as per June 2017). Then we create a calculation of Heathrow tax-free price and the price at the boutiques in the UK.Price Heathrow airport
| Retail Price | £4450 GBP |
| Airport Tax-free Prices | £3708 GBP |
Price UK boutiques with VAT-refund
| Retail Price | £4450 GBP |
| VAT Refund | -£623 GBP |
| Retail Price – VAT Refund | £3827 GBP |
So the bag costs £3708 GBP at Heathrow and £3827 GBP after you get the VAT refund.“Buying at Heathrow airport is less expensive”We took the Chanel bag as an example, but this is also an example for other designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Chloe, Hermes and so on. And it doesn’t matter what goods you buy, the prices at Heathrow airport for a brand-new items are cheaper than at the retail stores.
You can only buy VAT free if you leave the EU
Here’s the bad news, not everyone gets to buy VAT free at Heathrow airport. You get the VAT free prices only when you’re about to leave Europe to another country. So Heathrow must be your final destination.But how can they know?The SA will ask for your flight ticket when you are the cashier. If you’re qualified, they will offer you the goods without VAT and you can enjoy more discount.But if you’re not flying outside Europe, then the SA will give the same price as at the boutiques in London. So the prices will be with VAT. And of course, you can apply for VAT refund later on.
Airports have limited stock
Buying at airport is a great experience, but there is short supply of space and a lot of shops. The location is not cheap as well, so the stores can only carry limited stock. Usually, you will find a lot of small accessories like wallets, but the bags can be limited.Since 2013, Chanel has announced that they will stop selling iconic handbags at Heathrow. There are six types of iconic’s, which include the Chanel Classic Flap Bag, Chanel Reissue 2.55 Bag, and Chanel Classic Quilted Boy Bag. The WOCs, Mini Classic Bags as well as the Mini Reissue 2.55 Bags have all been spotted.
Shopping at Terminal 3
As you can see, there is lot of terminals. But if you’re looking for the crème de la crème, go to terminal 3 (T3). That’s where the boutiques are where you can find lot handbags.At terminal 3, make sure you get to level 1, the departure lounge. This entire section is Duty Free and there are numerous of boutiques, from Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton to Burberry and Mulberry.
T3 map: get to the departure lounge at level 1
Source @Heathrow
T3 stores: after security
| BulgariOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8757 1286 | BurberryOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8564 8125 |
| CartierOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00 (in Harrods)Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 6000 | ChanelOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8754 1000 |
| GucciOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8759 9159 | HarrodsOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 5290 |
| HermesOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 0179 | MulberryOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 8399 |
| M·A·C CosmeticsOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00 | Paul SmithOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8990 9402 |
| Salvatore FerragamoOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 5290 | SmythsonOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)208 745 0715 |
Shopping at Terminal 5
T5 is the next stop to go if you have the time. It has boutiques like Chanel, Chloe, Hermes, Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton. These stores are located at level 2. If you want to go to Harrods, go to level 3 (after check-in).
T5 map: get to level 2
Source @Heathrow
T5 stores: after security
| Armani CollezioniOpening hours: 05:20 -22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 | Hugo BossOpening hours: 05:20 – 22:00 (in Harrods)Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 |
| Bottega VenetaOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 5260 | BurberryOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 8343 |
| CartierOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6072 | ChanelOpening hours: 05.30 – 22.00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 7777 |
| ChloeOpening hours: 05:20 -22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 | DiorOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00 |
| GucciOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6333 | HarrodsOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00 (B Gates)Tel: +44 (0)7500 101 699 |
| HermesOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6084 | LongchampOpening hours: 05:20 – 22:00 (in Harrods)Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 |
| Louis VuittonOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6061 | MulberryOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6254 |
| PradaOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6339 | RolexOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8757 2115 |
| Saint LaurentOpening hours: 05:20 – 22:00+44 (0)20 8283 5095 | Stella McCartneyOpening hours: 05:20 -22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 |
| TodsOpening hours: 05:20 -22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 | ValentinoOpening hours: 05:20 -22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 |
Shopping at Terminal 2
The popular shops are located in Level 4.
T2 map: get to level 4
Source @Heathrow
T2 stores: after security
| Bottega VenetaOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7535 | BulgariOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7570 |
| Hugo BossOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8564 8316 | BurberryOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 1167 |
| GucciOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7790 | HarrodsOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7756 |
| Kurt GeigerOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8564 8839 | Micheal KorsOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7762 |
| MulberryOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7730 | Paul SmithOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 8447 |
| RolexOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7516 | SmythsonOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7577 |
| Ted BakersOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7590 |
Shopping at Terminal 4
The popular shops are located in level 2.
T4 map: get to level 2
Source @Heathrow
T4 stores: after security
| Hugo BossOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 1431 | Bottega VenetaOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 5260 |
| BulgariOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 2373 | BurberryOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 9151 |
| CartierOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6072 | GucciOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8754 1475 |
| HarrodsOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 0353 | LongchampOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00 (in Harrods)Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 6724 |
| MulberryOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 7990 | RolexOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 5145 |
| Saint LaurentOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 5280 | ValentinoOpening hours: 06:00 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8757 4043 |
| VersaceOpening hours: 05:30 – 22:00Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 0353 |
Travelling between terminals: travel time and transportation
From terminal 2 to terminal…
Terminal 3
- You can walk via the pedestrian underpass
- Estimated travel time: 10 minutes
Terminal 4
- Take the free shuttle trains; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
Terminal 5
- Take the express train; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
From terminal 3 to terminal…
Terminal 2
- You can walk via pedestrian underpass
- Estimated travel time: 10 minutes
Terminal 4
- Free Take the free shuttle trains; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
Terminal 5
- Take the express train; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
From terminal 4 to terminal…
Terminal 2 or 3
- Free Take the free shuttle trains; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
Terminal 5
- Take bus number 482 or 490 from Bus Stop 7, the destination is Heathrow Terminal 5. The transportation is free.
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
From terminal 5 to terminal…
Terminal 2 or 3
- Take the express train; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
Terminal 4
- Take bus number 482 or 490 from Bus Stop 7, the destination is Pools on the Park. The transportation is free.
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
