Alcohol / Spirits 🇷🇺 Russia
Alcohol / Spirits is restricted for travelers entering Russia; declare above the personal allowance.
Can I bring Alcohol / Spirits into Russia?
Alcohol / Spirits is restricted for travelers entering Russia; declare above the personal allowance.
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Alcohol / Spirits requires declaration at customs (and in some cases an import permit) when carried by travelers into Russia. Federal Customs Service (FTS Russia) applies a personal-allowance threshold per item category; quantities above attract duty + the destination's VAT/GST rate (20%) plus, for select categories, an additional excise tax. EU customs harmonisation and EU Regulation 608/2013 IPR enforcement apply alongside national rules. Travelers should consult Federal Customs Service (FTS Russia) for the current quantity threshold + documentation requirement before departure.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 5000–1000000 RUB
- Civil penalty only
Leaving Russia with alcohol / spirits
Spirits for personal consumption are freely exportable from Russia — excise duty is origin-paid on retail purchases and no export formality applies at personal quantities. The binding constraint is the destination's duty-free allowance (typically 1 litre of spirits) above which arrival duty applies, and aviation rules: liquids over 100 ml must travel in checked baggage or as sealed duty-free purchases, and alcohol over 70% ABV is forbidden on aircraft entirely (24-70% ABV is capped at 5 litres per passenger in retail packaging).
EUR 10,000 / 50 kg combined personal-effects allowance for arrivals by air; halved for land/sea arrivals. Alcohol: 3 litres total (any combination); over 5 L requires excise. Tobacco: 200 cigarettes / 50 cigars / 250 g loose tobacco. Quantities above pay 30% duty + 20% VAT.
Carry Alcohol / Spirits in carry-on where applicable (medication / lithium battery / valuables). On arrival, walk the Red Channel and declare on the customs form. Federal Customs Service (FTS Russia) computes duty + VAT at the published rate. Have the purchase receipt + (for medication) the original prescription available.
This page covers destination customs rules in Russia. Whether you can carry alcohol / spirits through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Alcohol / Spirits is classified under Class 3 — Flammable liquids. Cabin and checked-baggage rules apply on top of any destination regulation.
Russia is named by UK OFSI Russia sanctions. Commercial and high-value movements may require a licence or blocking-regulation check. Personal travelers should verify whether the specific item or payment method is caught.
Alcohol / Spirits rules in other countries
Alcohol / Spirits
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Completely prohibited. Zero tolerance under Islamic law.
Alcohol / Spirits
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Non-Muslim adults may import 4 litres of spirits or wine duty-free via most emirates.
Alcohol / Spirits
🇲🇾 Malaysia
1 liter duty-free allowance
Alcohol / Spirits
🇮🇩 Indonesia
1 liter duty-free; heavily taxed beyond
Alcohol / Spirits
🇰🇷 South Korea
1 liter (under USD 400) duty-free
Alcohol / Spirits
🇫🇷 France
EU standard allowances from non-EU; unlimited within EU