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PhrasesOn the PlaneVendete prodotti duty-free a bordo?
B1

Vendete prodotti duty-free a bordo?

Do you sell duty-free products on board?

Pronunciation

ven-DE-te — stress on second syllable. Duty-free: DYOO-tee free — pronounced with Italian rhythm.

When to use it

Ask cabin crew if you want to buy perfume, cigarettes, chocolates, or other items from the in-flight duty-free catalogue, usually available on international flights.

What it means

Vendete (do you sell) is the second-person plural (voi) of vendere (to sell) — addressing the crew as a group. Prodotti (products) from prodotto, singular. Duty-free is used as-is in Italian, functioning as an adjective. A bordo (on board).

Variations

Avete il catalogo dei prodotti?

Do you have the product catalogue?

Asks to see the catalogue before ordering — catalogo is the same word

Accettate carte di credito?

Do you accept credit cards?

Payment method — important to check as some carriers only accept cash on board

Posso pagare in euro?

Can I pay in euros?

Currency question — all Italian flights accept euros, some also accept dollars or pounds

Mini Dialogue

— Vendete prodotti duty-free a bordo? — Sì, abbiamo profumi, alcolici e cioccolatini. Vuole il catalogo? — Sì, grazie. Accettate la carta? — Sì, accettiamo Visa e Mastercard.

— Do you sell duty-free products on board? — Yes, we have perfumes, spirits and chocolates. Would you like the catalogue? — Yes, thank you. Do you accept cards? — Yes, we accept Visa and Mastercard.

Cultural Note

Duty-free shopping is most worthwhile on non-EU international flights — within the EU, duty-free on intra-EU flights was abolished in 1999. Italian perfume brands like Acqua di Parma or Bvlgari are popular purchases.