Apple iPhone Duo price gap sparks US-Europe travel comparison

A significant price difference between the United States and Europe for Apple’s new iPhone Duo has prompted comparisons regarding the cost-effectiveness of traveling to the U.S. to purchase the device.

In the United States, the iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 before sales tax. In France and other European markets, the same 256GB model is priced at €2,339. While the price gap initially appears large enough to cover a trip to New York City, including flights and hotel, customs regulations and taxes impact the final savings.

For example, a traveler bringing a phone from New York to France faces a 20% import VAT on the full value of the device, as the item exceeds the €430 tax-free allowance for non-EU travelers. When accounting for New York sales tax, flight, hotel, and French import VAT, the total cost of purchasing in the U.S. and bringing it to France can exceed the local European price. Additionally, European purchases include a two-year legal guarantee, whereas the American warranty is typically one year and may be subject to regional restrictions.