Tobacco has the largest absolute savings in duty free and the strictest allowances. Both matter equally.
Updated 2026-08-14 · DXB vs IST vs ICN
Where cartons cost least
Istanbul, Dubai and Incheon price cartons far below Heathrow and Paris, because European terminals sit in high-duty markets even airside.
The spread between the cheapest and most expensive terminal in our set is bigger than any other category — often more than double.
Allowances usually cap you at one carton
Most countries allow 200 cigarettes per adult. Buying two cartons because the price was good typically makes the second one declarable, and the duty erases the saving.
Arrivals shops can be cheaper than departures
Several airports operate arrivals duty free. Buying on arrival avoids carrying goods through transit security, where liquid and quantity rules can catch you out.