You’ve come all the way to the US — you might as well shop smart. New Jersey’s outlet malls offer international visitors a combination that exists almost nowhere else: zero clothing tax, outlet prices 30–70% below retail, and designer brands you know from home at a fraction of what you’d pay back there. Here’s exactly how to make the most of it.
The Numbers: What International Visitors Actually Save
New Jersey charges no sales tax on clothing and shoes. Not reduced. Not sometimes. Never. This applies to every single item at every store, whether you’re buying at an outlet or a luxury mall. Now combine that with outlet pricing and compare it to what you’d pay at home:
- UK visitors: You’re used to paying 20% VAT included in the price. At a NJ outlet, a $100 polo might retail for £120 at home. Here it’s $70 (outlet price) with $0 tax. That’s a 40%+ real-world saving.
- German/French/Dutch visitors: 19–20% VAT at home, 0% in NJ. Plus European outlet pricing is generally higher than American. The gap is real.
- Brazilian visitors: Import taxes on branded goods in Brazil can exceed 50%. NJ outlet prices can genuinely be 60–70% cheaper on the same item.
- Japanese visitors: Japan charges 10% consumption tax. US outlet prices on American brands like Coach, Kate Spade, and Ralph Lauren are often 40–50% below Japanese retail — before the tax difference.
One thing to note: the US doesn’t have a VAT refund system like many European countries offer for tourists. But you don’t need one here, because the tax was never charged to begin with. The savings are applied at the register, automatically.
The Best NJ Malls for International Shoppers
The Mills at Jersey Gardens — For the Classic Outlet Experience
This is probably the first place we’d take any international visitor. It’s enormous — 200+ stores — and it’s a great mix of American brands that tourists want: Tommy Hilfiger (the largest outlet in the country), Coach, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike. Stop at the information desk and show your passport when you arrive — international visitors get a free coupon booklet worth 15–20% off at many stores. This is a local secret that most tourists walk right past.
Location: Elizabeth, NJ. 5 minutes from Newark Airport. Accessible by bus from NYC Port Authority. See all NJ malls and outlets.
The Mall at Short Hills — For Luxury Shoppers
This is what Americans call “the best luxury mall on the East Coast” — and it’s not far off. Short Hills is full-price, not outlet, but it’s the place to go for Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Dior, Tiffany, Cartier, Breitling, and Patek Philippe all under one roof — with zero tax on clothing. The level of service is noticeably better than most malls you’ll visit.
Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets — For Designer Outlet Brands
Technically just over the New Jersey border in New York state, but no NJ guide would be complete without mentioning it. Woodbury Commons has 250+ stores and is the best place in the northeast US to buy luxury brands at outlet prices: Balenciaga, Burberry, Gucci, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Salvatore Ferragamo. It’s about an hour from Manhattan, and easily reachable by Coach USA bus from Port Authority. Pro tip: arrive when it opens (10am on weekdays), because parking fills up and lines form by midday.
American Dream Mall — For Everything at Once
If you want entertainment plus shopping in one visit, American Dream is the answer. It’s one of the largest malls in the US, with 450+ stores, an indoor theme park (Nickelodeon Universe), a water park, a ski slope, and an aquarium — all under one roof. For international visitors who want to experience a quintessentially American mega-mall while also doing some shopping, there’s genuinely nothing else like it.
Customs: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
US Customs allows each traveler to bring back up to $800 USD in goods duty-free when returning to their home country (from the US perspective). What you owe to your home country’s customs is a separate matter — check your country’s rules. European visitors typically get €430 (by air) duty-free on return; UK is £390.
Practical tip: keep your receipts organized in a folder. Customs officers sometimes ask, and having clean paperwork makes the process fast.
Getting Around — Transport for International Visitors
You don’t need a car to shop in NJ. Here’s the breakdown:
- From Newark Airport (EWR): Jersey Gardens shuttle runs every 30 minutes from Terminal B. It’s $9 round trip and takes about 10 minutes.
- From Manhattan: NJ Transit bus from Port Authority to Jersey Gardens (25–35 min). PATH train to Newport Centre in Jersey City (15 min). For American Dream, take NJ Transit or book a tour bus.
- Car rental: For hitting multiple malls in one day, renting a car makes sense. Parking is free at most NJ malls.
The Best Days to Go
Weekdays, hands down — especially Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On a weekday morning you’ll walk into Jersey Gardens or Woodbury and practically have the place to yourself. Dressing rooms are available immediately, staff are attentive, and checkout lines are short. Weekends at American Dream and Woodbury can get genuinely crowded, particularly in summer and around holidays.
One important note: Garden State Plaza and Paramus Park are closed on Sundays. This is due to Bergen County’s blue laws. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, stick to American Dream, Jersey Gardens, or Palisades Center in New York.
What to Buy (and What Not to Buy)
Tax-free applies to clothing and shoes. It does not apply to electronics, cosmetics, jewelry, handbags, or home goods — those are taxed at NJ’s standard 6.625% rate. So your shopping list should prioritize: anything you wear. Coats, jeans, t-shirts, dresses, sneakers, boots, athletic wear. That’s where the real savings are.
For handbags and accessories at outlet prices — still a great deal even with the small tax — Coach, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors at Jersey Gardens or Woodbury are typically 30–50% below what you’d pay in NYC boutiques or at home. See our full NJ tax-free shopping guide.
