Is there duty-free shopping at Paris CDG airport?
Yes — every terminal at Paris Charles de Gaulle has duty-free and shopping. The airport's duty-free is run under the Extime brand (the retail arm of Paris Aéroport, formerly Aelia Duty Free), and you will also find beauty, fashion, watches, wine and French food boutiques. All of it sits airside — that is, after passport control and the security check — so you shop once you are through to the departure lounges, not in the check-in hall.
Duty-free prices (no VAT or excise duty) apply when you are flying to a destination outside the European Union. If you are travelling within the EU you pay normal French prices in the same shops, but non-EU residents can still reclaim the VAT through the détaxe tax-refund scheme (see below).
Duty-free shopping at CDG in brief
- Where: airside (after security) in Terminals 1, 2 (halls 2A–2F) and 3.
- Biggest choice: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2E, which handle most long-haul flights and hold the flagship stores.
- Duty-free pricing: only for passengers leaving the EU; EU-bound travellers pay standard prices.
- Tax refund (détaxe): non-EU residents can reclaim French VAT on regular purchases over €100 in one shop — validate at a Pablo kiosk before you fly.
- No arrivals duty-free: the shops are in departures only, so buy before you leave.
- Pre-order: reserve online at extime.com and collect at the airport.
Where to shop at CDG, terminal by terminal
Charles de Gaulle is spread across three terminal complexes, all linked by the free CDGVAL shuttle. Because you can only reach the shops after security, shop in the terminal you actually depart from — you cannot ride CDGVAL between terminals once airside. The table below shows what to expect in each.
| Terminal | What you'll find | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Flagship Extime duty-free, luxury fashion and beauty | Long-haul travellers who want the widest luxury choice |
| Terminal 2E | The largest luxury line-up: designer fashion, watches, high-end beauty | Premium and intercontinental departures |
| Terminal 2A–2D, 2F | Extime duty-free, beauty, French food, gifts and press | Europe and medium-haul flights |
| Terminal 3 | Smaller duty-free and convenience shops | Low-cost and charter flights |
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 pioneered the Extime concept, designed to feel like a luxury department store rather than a run-of-the-mill airport shop. Alongside the main duty-free hall you will find luxury houses and dedicated beauty counters, plus food and gift outlets for last-minute buys.
Terminal 2 (halls 2A–2F)
Terminal 2 is the biggest complex and where most passengers pass through. Terminal 2E has the deepest luxury offer — designer fashion, fine watches and jewellery, and a large perfume-and-cosmetics area — while halls 2A–2D and 2F carry the core Extime duty-free, beauty, French specialities and convenience stores. If you are connecting through CDG, check which hall your onward flight leaves from before you settle in to shop.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 mainly serves low-cost and charter airlines and has a more compact retail area: a smaller duty-free, essentials and grab-and-go food. For a bigger selection, do your shopping before you reach the gate.
What to buy at CDG duty-free
Paris is a shopping city, and the airport plays to it. The strongest-value categories are the classic duty-free ones — beauty, spirits and tobacco — while fashion and watches are mainly about tax-free convenience rather than a discount. Popular buys include:
- Perfume & cosmetics — the deepest, best-value category; French houses and global brands are well stocked.
- Wine, champagne & spirits — French champagne and cognac are a signature airport buy for non-EU travellers.
- French food & gifts — macarons, chocolate, biscuits and gourmet treats make easy presents.
- Luxury fashion & watches — designer houses and watch boutiques, especially in Terminal 1 and 2E (tax-free for non-EU shoppers rather than genuinely cheaper).
If time is short, remember that liquids you buy airside are sealed and exempt from the usual limits — worth knowing before you shop for perfume or spirits (see below and our liquid rules guide). Waiting on a long connection? Our guides to the CDG lounges and where to eat at the airport pair well with a shopping stop.
Duty-free prices vs the détaxe tax refund
Two different money-savers get confused at CDG. Duty-free is a price you pay at the till (no VAT/duty) and is only for passengers leaving the EU. Détaxe is a VAT refund you claim afterwards on ordinary, taxed purchases — useful for non-EU residents shopping anywhere in France, including airport shops when you are flying within the EU. The table sums up the difference.
| Duty-free | Détaxe (VAT refund) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Anyone flying outside the EU | Non-EU residents (16+) taking goods home |
| Where | Airside duty-free shops only | Any participating shop in France, incl. the airport |
| How | Discount applied at the till | Get a tax-free form, validate at a Pablo kiosk, then refunded |
| Minimum | None | Over €100 (incl. tax) in the same shop |
| Typical saving | VAT + excise removed at purchase | Around 12% of the price back after fees |
How to claim your VAT refund at CDG with Pablo
France uses self-service Pablo kiosks to validate tax-free forms electronically. There are kiosks in every departure terminal. To claim your détaxe:
- In the shop: ask for a tax-free form and show your passport when you pay (spend over €100 in that shop).
- At the airport, before check-in: go to a Pablo kiosk with your passport, boarding pass, the form and the goods — do this before you check in any bag that contains the purchases and before security.
- Scan the barcode: a green screen means your form is validated electronically — no customs stamp needed. If the screen tells you to see customs, go to the nearby desk with your items.
- Get refunded: on the spot in cash or to a card/e-wallet; card refunds usually arrive within about 4–6 weeks.
Allow extra time — the kiosks and any customs check come before you drop your bags, so build them into your arrival. See our departures guide for how early to get to CDG.
Duty-free liquids, sealed bags and connecting flights
Perfume, spirits and other liquids bought airside are exempt from the 100 ml hand-luggage limit. They are handed over in a sealed, tamper-evident bag (a "STEB") with the receipt inside. Keep the bag sealed until you reach your final destination. If you open it before a further security check, the liquids can be confiscated.
This matters most for connecting flights: if you have another security screening ahead, buy your duty-free liquids on the last leg of the trip, or make sure the sealed bag and receipt stay intact. Full details are in our CDG liquid rules. On a long layover and need a break, lighting up is only allowed in the designated smoking areas.
Reserve online and collect at the airport
If you would rather not browse under time pressure, you can pre-order. The airport's Extime store lets you reserve products online ahead of your flight and collect them airside on the day — handy for guaranteeing a specific perfume, spirit or gift and for locking in the duty-free price. Order a few hours before departure and pick up in your terminal after security. It pairs well with arriving early enough to also drop bags, clear passport control and, if you need it, use luggage storage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paris CDG duty-free cheaper than the shops in the city?
For beauty, perfume and spirits, airport duty-free can beat city prices because VAT and excise are removed for non-EU-bound travellers. For luxury fashion and watches the price is usually the same as a city boutique — the advantage is that non-EU shoppers avoid VAT (or reclaim it) and skip the détaxe queue in town.
Can I claim a VAT refund on shopping at Charles de Gaulle airport?
Yes. Non-EU residents aged 16+ who spend over €100 in a single shop can get a tax-free form and validate it at a Pablo kiosk in the departure terminal before checking in. The refund is around 12% of the price after fees, paid in cash or back to a card.
Is there duty-free in the arrivals hall at CDG?
No. Duty-free and the main shops at CDG are in the departures area, airside. There is no arrivals duty-free, so buy what you need before you leave rather than counting on shopping when you land.
Can I bring duty-free liquids through a connecting flight at CDG?
Only if they stay in the sealed tamper-evident bag with the receipt. If your journey has another security check after CDG, keep the bag closed until your final destination, or buy the liquids on your last flight, otherwise they may be taken at the next screening.
What time do the shops at Paris CDG airport open?
Shop hours broadly follow the flight schedule. Many airside shops open early in the morning and stay open late into the evening, and the busiest terminals have long hours; individual shop times vary, so check the Paris Aéroport app or signage on the day for the exact store you want.
