Travellers are being ripped off at Schiphol airport shops because prices are higher than in web shops and non-EU passengers are still paying tax, according to research by the Dutch consumers’ association Consumentenbond.

The association says a bottle of Chivas Regal whisky costs €41 in Schiphol’s ‘duty-free’ shops but just €29 when bought via internet. Jean-Paul Gaultier’s perfume Le Male costs €48 at Schiphol but can be had for as little as €29 online.

Only in a very few cases was Schiphol cheaper, despite its claim of offering ‘lowest price guarantees’, association chairman Bart Combee is quoted as saying by the Telegraaf.

Tax-free shopping was abolished for travellers within the EU in 1999. However, Schiphol shopkeepers still charge travellers heading outside the EU the same prices, even though they are supposed to be tax free, the Consumentenbond says.

For example, broadcaster Nos points out that both travellers heading for Europe and outside Europe pay €9.95 for a phone charger but the non-EU bill states the purchase is tax-free.

Schiphol has denied passengers are being ripped off and says EU travellers are benefiting because shopkeepers are paying their value-added tax themselves.

The airport’s own alcohol, tobacco and chocolate sales generated more than €82m in sales last year, the broadcaster says.