Shopping in Andorra
Andorra’s commercial tradition is historically famous. Competitive prices are maintained thanks to a very low level of tax. Shops have specialized in order to provide a high degree of professionalism to their clients and have helped to turn Andorra into an original and exclusive shopping paradise. So, it is possible to find highly competitive articles and wide ranges of products in jeweler’s, opticians’, perfumeries, sports shops, antique shops, electronics shops, model shops, select food products, top brand fashion shops, etc.
The relationship between quality and price is optimal and the emphasis on quality is still fundamental to the commercial supply. Around 4,000 shops are responsible for maintaining the credibility of the country’s commercial image. Moreover, their opening hours allow you to make the most of this activity. Department stores do not close in the afternoon or on holidays, and on Sundays, many shops open in the morning, while most remain open in the afternoon. In Andorra, everything is designed to serve the customer.
Another important key aspect is the agreement with the European Union about Customs allowances, which considerably increases the quantity and value of products purchased in Andorra and which may be imported into countries forming part of the Union.
Allowances
Agricultural products
- Coffee: 1,000 g or 400 g of extracts
- Tea: 200 g or 80 g of extracts
- Alcohol (*): 1.5 l of spirits over 22° or 3 l of spirits or aperitives of less than 22° or of sparkling wines / 5 l of table wines
- Tobacco (*): 300 cigarettes or 150 cigars (of less than 3 g per unit) or 75 cigars (of more than 3 g per unit) or 400 g of pipe tobacco
- Other agricultural products: up to a value of 175 euros
- Under 15 years of age: up to a value of 90 euros but not more than:
2.5 kg powdered milk
3 kg condensed milk
6 kg fresh milk
1 kg butter
4 kg cheese
5 kg sugar and sweets
5 kg meat
Industrial products
- Perfumes: 75 g of perfumes, 375 g of colognes
- Other industrial products: up to a value of 525 euros
- Under the age of 15: up to a value of 270 euros
(*) For these products, those under the age of 17 have no allowance.
As long as you do not go over the specified limits, and the products are for personal use, it is unnecessary to declare the products at Community Customs. Warning: the authorized quantities and values may vary depending on your age.
The permitted quantities of alcoholic drinks, tobacco, coffee, tea, perfume and colognes are limited irrespective of their value. The permitted quantities of milk, butter, cheese, sugar and sweets and meat are limited irrespective of their value. On the other hand, for all other agricultural products (food, drink, tobacco) or industrial products (non-food manufactured products), the limit applies only to value.
You must declare at Customs all products in excess of the individual allowances: you are not permitted to accumulate value on the allowances, neither between travellers nor between agricultural and industrial products, with the intention of obtaining a product of a higher value than the corresponding individual allowance.
Before crossing the frontier you must go to the Community Customs for any exceptional limits that may apply, especially on animal and plant products, live animals, endangered species, medicines, arms and ammunition, works of art and for collection, currency or means of payment.
WARNING: possession of more than one and a half cartons of tobacco per person is not permitted and therefore, the customs officials are authorized to confiscate the merchandise and impose a fine equivalent to the value of the confiscated cartons, as long as the value is equal to or lower than 1,502 euros.
When the value of the merchandise (tobacco) is higher than 1,502 euros, the penalty imposed will be equivalent to the value of the merchandise, plus confiscation of the merchandise and of the tools and means of transport used.
Moreover, one should be aware that smuggling tobacco is a criminal offence in Andorra, which means that those carrying a quantity of merchandise of a value equal to or higher than 6,010 euros can be sentenced to up to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to 30,050 euros.
