The answer to the first question - why Czechs go shopping abroad - is very simple. Because abroad you can buy something cheaper. And this despite the fact that the Czech Republic belongs to the cheapest European countries. Any European resident can save money by going to the Czech Republic for food. Of course, in almost every Czech city you can find a restaurant where they feed at European prices. Nevertheless, in most Czech cafes prices are significantly lower than in the rest of Europe. Especially in towns along the Czech-German border, no one is surprised that on weekends local restaurants are packed with German families who came to the Czech Republic to not just eat cheaply, but, excuse the expression, gorge themselves...
So Czechs buy meat, cheese, and sausages exclusively at home. But for a TV, camera, coat, perfume, or underwear, it's already worth traveling. Where? For example, to Germany. At first glance it's strange why in Germany, a more prosperous and rich country, all this is cheaper than in the Czech Republic. Because Germans spend more. That is, wealthy Germans more often buy, for example, children's goods, clothing, or televisions; as a result, stores sell more goods and receive discounts for sales volume. And, as experts further explain, competition among traders in Germany is tougher than in the Czech Republic, which also drives prices down.
How much can Czechs save by shopping abroad? Goods for substantial sums - for example, a digital camera or TV - can be bought in Germany for 200 euros cheaper. Clothing - almost 50% cheaper. The Czech Republic also sells cheap clothes - at Vietnamese and Chinese markets. But, unfortunately, we have to admit that even the simplest T-shirt is often of better quality in Germany. Shop-tour experts say that in practically any European country you can find a product worth traveling for. For example, in France it is recommended to buy furniture or wine, in Britain electrical appliances or shoes, and in Portugal real estate. Although real estate, of course, interests more nouveau riche than small shuttle traders. Hard to believe, but in this world there are also things for which it is worth flying to the United States of America for the sake of cheapness. Anyone who needs a fancy computer or the latest model laptop will have even the costs of a US visa and airfare recouped. And you can still save money.
Fans and connoisseurs of branded clothing are sure that the high prices in all countries of the former socialist camp are the fault of the Russians. More precisely, the 'new Russians.' Moscow became famous in the 1990s worldwide as a city where people decide what to buy based on price. In the sense that the more expensive, the better. Some managers of Western, namely American, companies still think that Eastern Europe is that part of the world where people simply get off on expensive things. In reality, clothes from Dolce & Gabbana and similar stores sell in Moscow, Prague, and Warsaw boutiques at higher prices than in Paris, London, or New York.
The obstacle to profitable purchases abroad is theoretically customs. Why theoretically? Thorough customs inspection in the Czech Republic is an exception, so one computer or camera for personal use can be brought through easily and simply. According to Czech legislation, goods worth more than 6,000 crowns, i.e., about 200 euros, are subject to duties. However, from May 1 of this year, any duties on goods purchased in European Union countries are abolished. Thus, from May, problems at customs can arise practically only for Czechs who made a shopping tour to the CIS for vodka and cigarettes. The problem is that only one carton of cigarettes or one liter of strong alcoholic beverages can be brought into the Czech Republic...
It is interesting that although the European Union countries introduced a single currency, the euro, and even tax policy is coordinated, prices here remain different. Therefore, no one doubts that people will always go to the Czech Republic for cheap but tasty beer. And Czechs, apparently, will always have to go to their neighbors for cheap but high-quality cameras.