Duty-free question

[bashful]

I'm looking at picking up a watch at Heathrow Duty-Free next week, flying to Canada.

My question is, why do they always ask for your flight number when making a sale? Do they 'shop' you to Customs at the far end of the flight?

Thanks in advance.

[Don1]

Is it a one way trip?

The answer is no - they are checking that you are on a flight, and you are on a flight that leaves the EU.

[bashful]

Thanks, Don. It is effectively one-way - I live in Canada.

[Mark82]

Wouldn't the watch be cheaper in Canada then?

[uktrailmonster]

As Don1 says, they're just checking you're on an international flight travelling outside the EU. There are no further duties to be paid on entry to Canada. I've just flown the other way from Canada to the UK and Canadian prices seemed quite high in Vancouver airport, although I wasn't checking very closely.