Everyday products with a UK premium

Heading abroad? You may want to stock up on your clothing and cosmetics as new research reveals many of our favourite products cost far less in the US and parts of Europe.

When we’re on holiday most of us like to pick up a souvenir or two.

But, instead of that straw donkey or Statue of Liberty hat, you may want to spend your money on your beauty essentials or a new pair of jeans as research has revealed they are often cheaper abroad.

Research by challenger bank Revolut for MailOnline found a number of products from Marc Jacobs perfume to MAC make-up and Levi’s jeans will cost you more if you buy them in the UK.

For example, No. 7’s Airbrush Away primer and Dramatic Lift mascara both cost more in the UK than in the US, despite being a UK brand.

Airbrush Away costs £16.50 in the UK but you can buy it for £14.01 in the US, while Dramatic Lift mascara is almost half price at £7.43 in America compared to £13.50 here.

Earn cashback paid when you shop with a cashback credit card

Levis for less

Another item that costs a lot less outside of the UK is a pair of Levi jeans.

The brands popular 501 skinny jeans cost an average £85 in the UK, but you can pick them up for just £60.88 in Latvia, or £69 in the US.

If you enjoy shopping at Zara then be prepared for a shock: the brand is known to charge more for its products in the UK than elsewhere in Europe.

For example, the research highlighted how a checked jacket that retails for £119 in the UK costs just €99.95, or £87.85 at current exchange rates, in Spain.

Pricey perfume

However, the biggest price difference was Marc Jacob’s Daisy perfume which cost $49.99 (£35) in the US compared to £55 in the UK.

With a £20 price difference, fans of the perfume should consider buying it on a US website and paying for it to be shipped to the UK as they could still find it is cheaper.

Another brand charging a premium to UK customers is MAC. The luxury makeup firm’s Power Hungry eyeshadow palette costs $39.50 with VAT on the official US Mac website. That is £29.89. Head to the UK website and the price is £32.

It's been going on for years

Late last year it was revealed that the new iPhone X would cost £250 more in the UK compared to the US. 

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

As we highlighted in 7 things that cost more simply because you live in the UK, the practice is widespread and has been going on for years.

Is there anything you can do about it?

Obviously, buying while you're abroad isn't always going to be an option.

Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to at least minimise the extra costs levied on UK shoppers.

For starters, you can put all your purchases on a cashback credit card and repay the interest in full every month.

There are also a host of tricks you can employ to save hundreds of pounds when you shop online.