Buying Apple products abroad: what to know

Prix de la Pomme compares Apple's own prices in 40 countries. A lower price abroad is a real saving only once you know what is in the box, what the warranty covers, and what you will pay when you come home. This page lists what to check.

1. Two ways to compare: tax included, tax excluded

A price is made of two parts: what Apple charges, and the tax the state adds on top (VAT in Europe, sales tax in the US, consumption tax elsewhere). The comparison can show prices both ways, because they answer two different questions.

• Tax included: "Where will I pay the least?" The price you actually pay at the till in each country, taxes included. This is the one for finding the best deal. In some countries, such as the US and Canada, prices are listed before sales tax, which is added at checkout and depends on the state or province: the comparison adds it for you (pick a state or province to be exact).
• Tax excluded: "Does Apple charge everyone the same price?" Taxes are removed on both sides, leaving only what Apple keeps. This shows whether Apple's pricing is fair between regions, and how much of a gap is Apple's doing rather than the state's.

An example with two products, France against the US (prices of 30 October 2026, 1 USD = €0.896, US average sales tax 7.53%):

How to read it:

• MacBook Air: Apple charges the same price in both countries. The whole 12% gap you pay comes from taxes: French VAT is higher than US sales tax.
• iPhone 17: taxes explain part of the 29% gap, but even with every tax removed, Apple charges 16% more in France. That part is Apple's pricing decision, not the state's.

The gap excluding tax varies a lot from one product to another: switch the comparison to Excl. tax to see it for yours.

2. What is in the box

• Chargers. iPhones have been sold without a charger since the iPhone 12, only with a cable. In some countries, MacBooks are also sold without a power adapter: the comparison marks these countries "no charger"; choose an adapter in the options to compare equal equipment.
• Plugs. Apple adapters work on every voltage, but the plug is the one of the country of purchase. Plan a travel adapter or a local cable.

3. The same product is not always the same everywhere

• SIM. In some countries iPhones are sold without a SIM card slot (eSIM only). Check the SIM section of Apple's specifications page for the country of purchase, and that your carrier supports eSIM.
• Keyboard. A Mac bought abroad has that country's keyboard layout (QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ…). The local store may not offer yours.
• Local rules. Some countries impose features, such as a camera shutter sound that cannot be turned off.

4. Warranty, AppleCare+ and returns

• Apple's warranty covers manufacturing defects for one year. Depending on the product, Apple may only provide service in the country of purchase [1].
• AppleCare+ may also be limited to the country of purchase.
• Legal guarantees depend on the country where you buy, not where you live. In the European Union, for example, the seller owes a 2-year legal guarantee [2]; you claim it from that seller. A product bought elsewhere may only have Apple's own warranty.
• Returns to Apple are usually only possible in the country of purchase [3].

5. Customs when you come home

Every country lets travellers bring back goods up to a certain value without paying import taxes. A phone or a laptop often exceeds that allowance on its own: you then have to declare it and pay your country's import tax (VAT or equivalent), sometimes on its full value. The rules differ from one country to another and change over time: check your country's customs website before you buy.

6. Tax refunds for tourists

Some countries refund their tax to visitors who take the goods out of the country, under conditions (minimum amount, forms, customs check at departure). Keep in mind that you will then usually pay your own country's import tax (section 5). Ask the shop and check the official site of the country before you buy.

7. Paying

• Bank fees. A card payment in a foreign currency often comes with exchange fees; check with your bank.
• Pay in the local currency. If a terminal offers to charge you in your own currency, refuse: its rate is usually worse.
• Apple's online stores usually require a card and a delivery address from their country. Abroad, buying in an Apple Store is often the only option.

8. What the comparison does not include

Education pricing, trade-in offers, local promotions and delivery costs are not included. Converted prices use the exchange rate of the day; you will pay the rate of your bank on the day of payment.

This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change: check the official sources of your country before you buy.

Sources

1. Apple One Year Limited Warranty: https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/
2. Your Europe, guarantees and returns: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/index_en.htm
3. Apple Store sales policies: https://www.apple.com/shop/open/salespolicies