I am travelling to India soon, and want to carry some gifts for home.
Can I get some tips on what I can carry, please? My flight is via Dubai.
1. Liquor: Chivas Regal is a popular choice back home. Should I buy it here or can I buy it duty-free in Dubai?
Also, I'd like to carry some nice red wine (something in the range of 50 CHF, say); basically I want to know a brand that is well-appreciated (but not the wine-equivalent of Rolex ). Can I buy it in the large COOP stores, or is it something I'd rather buy in Dubai as well?
In total I suppose I can carry 2-3 bottles in my hand luggage? Will it entail some hassles with customs in India?
2. Heard a lot about these cuckoo-clocks. Again, where exactly can I buy them in Zurich (near HB)?
If the rules haven't changed since my last trip, you can carry upto 2 litres duty-free.
This will be interpreted as 2 bottles irrespective of their actual volume.
While Switzerland is expensive, (based on my one transit via Dubai) the airport shops are over-priced compared to say the UK and pretty hopeless overall.
This is of course assuming you are only transiting through there.
On that note, are you flying two separate airlines?
The best place to buy Liquor is the Duty free shop in India before you exit the customs , It is cheaper and you also save the hassels of carrying it during your journey
Cuckoo Clocks . I would recommend to buy from Black forest , It is available in Places Like Titisee , 90 minutes from Zurich , You can also order via internet , Advantage is it is cheaper and good
If I remember correctly, the items you buy after security check are permissible. As per my logic, duty free shops ought to be located after the security screening, but I am not sure.
Watch it if your transiting - if you have to go through security again, you'll lose your booze.
btw - if Chivas Regal is a popular brand, that's only due to your average person's ignorance of good whisky. Get a single malt. I like speyside over islay (it's sweeter). Curdhu is one of my favourite tipples.
btw 2 - cuckoo clocks are far more a Black Forest or Tyrollean tradition than Swiss.
No alcohol in hand baggage from Zurich to Dubai as they will keep it at Dubai when you go for security check. (Checked baggage - you can put in).
Prices at Dubai and Delhi - nearly same - More Variety of alcohol though at Dubai and sometimes even 20% off. Johnie Walker,s though cheaper at delhi airport.
Officially 2 litres allowed but as it is India and if you are confident - walk out with as much as you want. I have always taken quite a bit from Dubai and then shopped more at delhi airport. Stopped too a few times by Indian customs but was eventually allowed to take it out as I said it is all gifts (which is true).
Dont forget choclates as back home all our families still have the tooth for choclates from Switzerland. Even though prices at delhi (in malls & stores is nearly 50% less then here but lesser variety)
2 liters is allowed and it is cheaper to buy at the airport on arrival, however some shops do not take credit cards so make sure you have either ruppees or US$.
Also not all airports have shops but if you are flying in Bombay or Delhi you will be fine. Also note that in some states they still have prohibition so if you are going there be careful. As a foreigner you can get a license to drink.
The other comment is that the selection in the Indian airports is far more limted than places such as Dubai, so if you are planning on something special don't buy in India.