How Much Can You Bring Back Without Paying Customs? Allowances by Country

Every country sets a duty-free allowance: the value of goods a traveler can bring back without paying tax. It ranges from CHF 150 in Switzerland to $1,000 in Brazil, with €430 in the European Union. Here are the amounts in force in October 2026, the rules that apply almost everywhere, and what happens when you go over.

The rules that apply almost everywhere

An allowance covers goods for your personal use or given as gifts, carried in your luggage. It does not cover goods meant for resale, and alcohol, tobacco and sometimes perfume have their own quantity limits.

In the European Union and the UK, an item's value cannot be split: a €900 phone exceeds the allowance on its own and is taxed on €900, not on the part above it. Above the allowance, or when in doubt, use the goods-to-declare channel.

Allowances country by country

What happens if you go over

The math depends on the country. In the EU and the UK, the item that exceeds the allowance is taxed on its full value. In Canada, after less than 48 hours away, going over CAD 200 makes all your purchases taxable; after 48 hours, only the part above CAD 800 is taxed. In Brazil, a 50% tax applies to the part above $1,000.

Declaring almost always costs less than being checked without having done so: undeclared goods can be seized and the penalty comes on top of the tax. Keep the invoices, they prove the value.

And in North Africa, Africa or Türkiye?

Many countries think less in amounts than in quantities and categories: a phone, a laptop, clothes in reasonable quantity pass, identical products in bulk look like trade. Rules change often and differ for residents and visitors: check the arrival country's customs website before you leave.

Rules for mailed parcels differ from those for luggage. Türkiye, for example, scrapped its €30 allowance on parcels from abroad in 2026, without touching the traveler allowance.

And for an item brought by a traveler?

The allowance belongs to the traveler and covers their personal belongings and gifts. An item they carry for someone else in exchange for a reward may have to be declared, even below the threshold. Declaring is the traveler's job, since they are the one going through customs.

On Colia, discuss it in the chat before accepting the deal: the item's value, the invoice, and who pays any taxes. It is the best way to avoid a bad surprise on arrival.