Airport Customs & Cabin Baggage: What Changes in 2026
Clearing airport security and arrival customs without stress or fines requires checking two distinct sets of rules: first, the destination country’s duty-free allowances (tobacco, alcohol, perfume quotas, cash declaration thresholds, and banned items such as drones), and second, your airline’s exact baggage dimensions.
Our dual-purpose simulator combines the official 2026 national customs schedules (Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Thailand, Egypt, Greece, Turkey) with cabin and checked baggage allowances for 13 major airlines (Tunisair, Nouvelair, Air France, Transavia, Royal Air Maroc, Air Algérie, Turkish Airlines, Ryanair, easyJet, and Emirates).
1. Country-by-Country Customs Summary: Tobacco, Alcohol, Currency & Drones
Here are the key enforcement points checked at X-ray scanners in international arrival halls in 2026:
- Tunisia (Tunisian Customs): Duty-free allowance of 200 cigarettes (1 carton) and 1L of spirits (>25%) or 2L of wine per adult. Mandatory currency declaration from 5,000 TND (~€1,500) if you plan to re-export funds. Recreational drones are strictly banned without prior ministry permit. For private airport transfers from customs exit to Tunis, Hammamet, Sousse, or Djerba, book on uzitatravel.com .
- Morocco, Algeria & Egypt: As in Tunisia, bringing recreational drones (even under 250g) is strictly prohibited and leads to immediate confiscation at arrival scanners. Local banknotes (MAD / DZD) cannot be exported beyond small allowances.
- Thailand: Tobacco allowance is strictly capped at 200 cigarettes per person. Furthermore, e-cigarettes (vapes, puffs, IQOS) are completely illegal in Thailand.
- Turkey & Greece (European Union): In Turkey, exporting antique stones or artifacts is a serious offense. In Greece (intra-EU), European indicative allowances apply (800 cigarettes and 10L of spirits purchased duty-paid within the EU).
2. Cabin & Checked Baggage: Avoiding €60 Gate Penalties
On low-cost carriers (Ryanair, easyJet, Transavia) and Light fares on legacy airlines, basic tickets often include only a small personal under-seat bag (40x20x25 cm or 40x30x20 cm). Overhead rolling cabin bags (55x40x20 cm, 8–10 kg) usually require Priority Boarding.
Always measure your bag including wheels and handles, and keep powerbanks, lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, and prescription medicines in your carry-on cabin bag.