Russian government nearly doubles import duties on hard liquor from ‘unfriendly’ countries

Russia has nearly doubled the import duties on hard liquor from "unfriendly" countries. The new duty rate will be 35% with a minimum of five euros per liter, up from the previous 20% duty and three-euro-per-liter floor. This measure is described as temporary and will remain in effect until the end of 2027. According to Russia's news agency Interfax, which based its report on an explanatory note to the draft federal budget, the higher duties will generate an additional 10 billion rubles for the budget in 2027.

The last change in duties on hard liquor from "unfriendly" countries occurred in 2024, when the rate was raised from 1.3-1.4 euros per liter to 20% of the customs value plus three euros per liter of pure alcohol content. This adjustment led to new duties on certain cheap beverages being lower than before. In September 2026, the Russian government also increased duties on dietary supplements from "unfriendly" countries to 35%, with the exception of Hungary and Slovakia.