Algeria Customs Summary: What You Must Declare (2026)
Before packing your bags and flying to Algeria, it is essential to know the exact duty-free quotas and import bans enforced by the local customs authority (General Directorate of Algerian Customs (douane.gov.dz)).
Exceeding tobacco, alcohol, perfume, electronics, or foreign currency thresholds without declaring them at the red channel exposes you to immediate confiscation and heavy fines. Here are the verified 2026 regulations.
200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco)
1 liter of spirits OR 2 liters of wine (adults 18+)
Mandatory written currency declaration upon arrival for any amount equal to or exceeding €1,000 (or equivalent) for non-residents. Present the stamped form upon departure.
Doctor's prescription mandatory for all personal medical treatments, in original packaging.
1. Duty-Free Quotas for Tobacco, Alcohol & Perfume (Algeria)
Purchases made in airport Duty-Free shops remain subject to the arrival country's import limits:
- Tobacco Allowance: 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco)
- Alcohol Allowance: 1 liter of spirits OR 2 liters of wine (adults 18+)
- Perfume & Gifts: 50 ml of perfume or 250 ml of eau de toilette — Personal or family gifts without commercial character up to a value of 100,000 DZD duty-free.
2. Cash Declaration, Foreign Currency & Exchange Controls
Mandatory written currency declaration upon arrival for any amount equal to or exceeding €1,000 (or equivalent) for non-residents. Present the stamped form upon departure.
If you carry cash above the legal threshold, stop at the customs declaration counter in the arrival hall before exiting to obtain a stamped official receipt.
3. Strictly Prohibited Items: Drones, Vapes, Optics & Antiquities
Here is the official list of prohibited or strictly restricted goods when entering or leaving Algeria:
Airport X-ray scanners at arrivals immediately detect LiPo batteries and drones in both checked and cabin bags: never bring prohibited equipment without a prior permit.
4. Personal Medication & Airline Baggage Rules (Cabin vs Checked)
Doctor's prescription mandatory for all personal medical treatments, in original packaging.
Always pack lithium-ion powerbanks, laptops, cameras, and e-cigarettes in your carry-on cabin baggage.