Which Country Sells the Cheapest iPhone?
In October 2026, the iPhone 18 Pro (256 GB) costs $1,199 in the United States before sales tax, against €1,479 in France. The United States, Japan, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates are the markets where it costs least. But the sticker price is only part of the math: customs, SIM cards and warranty can change everything. Here is the ranking, and what to check before having an iPhone brought to you.
Why the price varies so much between countries
Apple sets a price for each country. Most of the gap comes from tax: in Europe, VAT (20% in France) is included in the displayed price, while in the United States prices are shown before sales tax, and that tax is zero in a few states such as Oregon, Delaware, Montana and New Hampshire. Hong Kong has no sales tax.
Then come import duties and exchange rates. In some countries, such as Türkiye, Brazil or India, import taxes push the iPhone well above the European price. The ranking below is for the iPhone 18 Pro, but the order is generally the same for the rest of the lineup.
The 4 countries where the iPhone costs least
United States: $1,199
Before sales tax, about €1,070 (€1 to $1.12). Cheapest in a state with no sales tax; elsewhere, add up to roughly 10%.
Japan: ¥219,800
10% tax included, about $1,340. Tourists can get that tax back: since November 1, 2026, through a refund when leaving Japan.
Hong Kong: HK$10,499
No tax, about $1,350. And one of the few cheap markets whose models keep a physical SIM tray.
United Arab Emirates: AED 5,099
5% VAT included, about $1,390. Tourists can get part of it back at the airport. Handy for North Africa, Africa and South Asia.
The traps to avoid
SIM card: iPhone 18 Pro models sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan and the Gulf states are eSIM-only. Check that your carrier offers eSIM before buying: if it does not, a Hong Kong or European model is safer. On Japanese models, the camera shutter sound cannot be turned off.
Warranty: Apple may limit iPhone warranty service to the country of purchase. An iPhone bought in the European Economic Area is covered across that area and Switzerland; a US or Japanese model repaired elsewhere can be a problem. In Türkiye, a phone bought abroad must also be registered (IMEI), for more than 50,000 Turkish lira in 2026, or it gets blocked after 120 days.
What about customs?
An iPhone brought from abroad must be declared once it exceeds the traveler allowance. In the European Union, that allowance is €430 by air, and an item's value cannot be split: VAT applies to the full price. Phones carry no customs duty in the EU, but the importing country's VAT applies, 20% in France.
Example: an iPhone 18 Pro bought for about €1,070 in a US state with no sales tax and declared in France ends up at about €1,285 with VAT. That is close to €200 less than the €1,479 French price, fully legally. For the US case in detail, read our guide to bringing an iPhone from the USA.
How to have one brought to you
You do not need to fly yourself. On Colia, you post a purchase request with the model, storage, color and the country you want it bought in. A traveler coming back from that country proposes a deal, buys it there and hands it to you in person on arrival.
The reward is agreed between you; for a purchase, it never goes below 10% of the product price. Agree in the chat on the exact model (eSIM or physical SIM), the invoice to hand over and the customs declaration, before accepting.
Check what you may put in a suitcase, item by item
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Want an iPhone at the best price?
Post your request on Colia and find a traveler coming back from a country where it costs less.