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Export guides / Europe

Exporting spirits to Europe

Import rules, duty and licences for whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy and bulk spirit in 52 countries. Researched October 2026.

Research guide, not legal advice. Each country links to its full regulations page with sources; check duty with a customs broker before you ship.

Overview

Europe offers accessible spirits markets, with widespread 0% tariffs across the European Union and the United Kingdom under standard MFN regimes. However, exporters must navigate diverse regulatory frameworks ranging from open commercial access to strict state monopolies. Local excise registrations and specific import authorizations remain essential across European destinations.

  • Under the EU Common Customs Tariff and UK Global Tariff, countries like France, Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom apply 0% customs duty on major distilled spirits.
  • Customs duties reach up to 30% MFN in Serbia, 10% to 15% in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and specific rates of £2.00 per litre for whisky in Gibraltar.
  • Under the EAEU Common Customs Tariff, Belarus and Russia levy specific duties, typically €1.40 to €1.50 per litre of pure alcohol, alongside ad valorem rates.
  • State monopolies govern commercial spirits importation in Belarus through state-held import competitions and in the Faroe Islands via Rúsdrekkasøla Landsins for beverages exceeding 2.8% ABV.
  • While alcohol is generally legal across Europe, dry areas exist in Czechia, Norway, Russia, Ukraine, and Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
  • Importing into EU nations like Belgium, Poland, and Spain requires an EORI number and excise authorizations, whereas Russia restricts direct foreign importing, requiring local entities linked to EGAIS.

Country by country

CountryStatusImport duty on spirits
Åland Islandslegal0% for most distilled spirits under HS 2208 (EU Common Customs Tariff applies; Most Favoured Nation duty is zero for whisky, vodka, gin, brandy, liqueurs, and most…Producers Duty-free
Albanialegal0% for qualifying goods originating from the European Union, CEFTA, and countries with bilateral FTAs; MFN rates for third countries generally range up to 15% ad valorem…Producers Duty-free
AndorralegalSpirits (HS 2208) are agricultural products excluded from the 1990 EU-Andorra Customs Union agreement for industrial goods. Rates depend on trade agreements:…Producers Duty-free
Austrialegal0% (duty-free) for most commercial distilled spirits under HS heading 2208 (e.g., whisky, vodka, rum, gin, brandy) originating from WTO member states under the GATT…Producers Duty-free
BelaruslegalUnder the EAEU Common Customs Tariff (CCT), spirits under HS 2208 are primarily subject to specific duties, typically €1.40 to €1.50 per litre of 100% pure alcohol (or…Producers Duty-free
Belgiumlegal0% (duty-free) for most commercial distilled spirits (whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy under HS 2208) originating from WTO member states entering the EU Common Customs…Producers Duty-free
Bosnia and HerzegovinalegalStandard MFN customs duty on distilled spirits under HS 2208 is 10% to 15% ad valorem. Goods of preferential origin originating in the European Union (under the SAA) and…Producers Duty-free
Bulgarialegal0% for most pure distilled spirits under HS 2208 (whisky, vodka, gin, rum, neutral alcohol) originating from WTO member countries under the EU Common Customs Tariff /…Producers Duty-free
CroatialegalCroatia applies the European Union Common Customs Tariff (TARIC). Most distilled spirits under HS 2208 (such as whisky, rum, vodka, gin, and liqueurs) carry a 0% Most…Producers Duty-free
Cypruslegal0% customs duty on distilled spirits classified under HS heading 2208 imported from third countries under the EU Common Customs Tariff.Producers Duty-free
Czechiadry areas exist0% for most commercial bottled distilled spirits under HS Heading 2208 (e.g., whisky 2208.30, rum 2208.40, gin 2208.50, vodka 2208.60, and liqueurs 2208.70) under the EU…Producers Duty-free
DenmarklegalAs an EU member state, Denmark applies the EU Common Customs Tariff. Under HS heading 2208, most distilled spirits (including whisky, rum, gin, and vodka) carry a 0% MFN…Producers Duty-free
Estonialegal0% for most distilled spirits (HS 2208, including whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy) under the EU Common Customs Tariff / WTO MFN regime.Producers Duty-free
Faroe IslandslegalSpirits imported under HS heading 2208 are subject to the Faroese Customs Tariff (Tollskráin) administered by TAKS. Standard third-country customs duty applies, though…Producers Duty-free
Finlandlegal0% (customs duty-free) under the EU Common Customs Tariff (TARIC) for most distilled spirits under HS heading 2208 (e.g., whisky, vodka, gin, rum, liqueurs) imported…Producers Duty-free
Francelegal0% for most commercial distilled spirits under HS 2208 (whisky, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, liqueurs) entering from WTO members under the GATT 1994 zero-for-zero spirits…Producers Duty-free
GermanylegalUnder the EU Common Customs Tariff, the MFN third-country customs duty for most distilled spirits under HS 2208 (including whisky, vodka, gin, brandy, and liqueurs) is…Producers Duty-free
GibraltarlegalSpecific import duties apply under Schedule 1 of the Integrated Tariff Regulations 2017 (as amended): whisky (HS 2208 30) is taxed at £2.00 per litre; other spirits,…Producers Duty-free
Greecelegal0% for distilled spirits under HS heading 2208 (under the European Union Common Customs Tariff / TARIC MFN rate, spirits such as whisky, vodka, gin, rum, and brandy…Producers Duty-free
Guernseylegal0% for qualifying goods arriving from the UK, Jersey, or Isle of Man; goods from outside the Customs Union are assessed under the UK Global Tariff (UKGT), where standard…Producers Duty-free
Holy See (Vatican City State)legal0% (Exempt from EU/Italian customs duties under the 1929 Lateran Treaty regime).Producers Duty-free
HungarylegalSpirits imported under HS code 2208 from third countries are subject to the EU Common Customs Tariff (typically 0% for whiskies, vodka, rum, and gin under WTO tariff…Producers Duty-free
Icelandlegal0% (spirits under HS heading 2208 are duty-free in the Icelandic customs tariff for most origins, including EEA and MFN partners).Producers Duty-free
Irelandlegal0% MFN customs duty for most major distilled spirits categories (whisky, vodka, gin, rum, grape brandy) under EU Common Customs Tariff (HS heading 2208).Producers Duty-free
Isle of ManlegalApplies the UK Integrated Tariff / UK Global Tariff (UKGT). Distilled spirits under HS heading 2208 (including whisky, rum, gin, vodka) generally enter at 0% customs…Producers Duty-free
Italylegal0% (duty-free) for most standard spirits under HS heading 2208 under the WTO plurilateral agreement on distilled spirits / EU Common Customs Tariff (third-country MFN…Producers Duty-free
JerseylegalJersey applies UK-Crown Dependencies Common External Tariff rates to imports from outside the customs union, while goods in free circulation within the UK/Crown…Producers Duty-free
Latvialegal0% (Free) for most distilled spirits under HS heading 2208 (whisky, vodka, gin, rum, brandy, liqueurs) under the EU Common Customs Tariff for MFN third countries.Producers Duty-free
LiechtensteinlegalCHF 0.00 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein abolished customs duties on industrial products effective 1 January 2024; most HS 2208 spirits enter duty-free regardless of…Producers
LithuanialegalSpirits (HS 2208) entering from third countries are subject to the EU Common Customs Tariff (TARIC). Most major spirit categories (whisky, vodka, rum, gin) enter at 0%…Producers Duty-free
Luxembourglegal0% for most distilled spirits under HS Heading 2208 (including whisky, rum, gin, vodka, and neutral spirit) under EU Common Customs Tariff (TARIC) commitments, provided…Producers Duty-free
Maltalegal0% for intra-EU movements. Imports from non-EU countries are subject to the EU Common Customs Tariff for HS 2208, which is 0% (duty-free) on most distilled spirits (such…Producers Duty-free
Moldova, Republic oflegalSpirits under HS 2208: 0% ad valorem for goods originating in the European Union (under the EU-Moldova Association Agreement/DCFTA), CEFTA countries, the UK, Turkey, and…Duty-free
Monacolegal0% for distilled spirits (HS heading 2208) under the EU Common Customs Tariff (TARIC) Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) rate.Producers Duty-free
MontenegrolegalUnder HS 2208: 0% customs duty for goods originating in the European Union (under the EU–Montenegro Stabilization and Association Agreement) and CEFTA member states. For…Producers Duty-free
Netherlandslegal0% (Free) third-country duty for standard distilled spirits under HS Heading 2208 (whisky, rum, vodka, gin, brandy, liqueurs) entering the EU Common Customs Tariff…Producers Duty-free
North MacedonialegalSpirits (HS 2208) originating in the European Union (under the SAA), EFTA, CEFTA, Turkey, and Ukraine enter duty-free (0%). Customs tariffs on goods originating from the…Producers Duty-free
Norwaylegal / dry areas exist0% (customs duty-free for distilled spirits under HS 2208 in the Norwegian Customs Tariff/Tolltariffen; charges consist of excise duty and VAT)Producers Duty-free
Polandlegal0% EU Common Customs Tariff (MFN duty) under HS code 2208 for whiskies (2208.30), rum (2208.40), gin (2208.50), and vodka (2208.60). Undenatured ethyl alcohol ≥80% ABV…Producers Duty-free
Portugallegal0% (customs duty-free) for most spirits under HS 2208 (including whisky, rum, gin, vodka, and grape brandies) under the EU Common Customs Tariff for third countries,…Producers Duty-free
Romanialegal0% for most spirits under HS 2208 (whisky, vodka, rum, gin, brandy) imported from WTO member states under the EU Common Customs Tariff (TARIC).Producers Duty-free
Russialegal / dry areas existStandard EAEU Common Customs Tariff (CCT HS 2208) is generally €1.40 to €1.50 per litre of 100% anhydrous alcohol or 10–15% ad valorem. For imports originating from…Duty-free
San Marinolegal0% for goods originating in or in free circulation within the EU under the EEC-San Marino Customs Union Agreement. For direct consignments from outside the EU, the EU…Producers Duty-free
SerbialegalStandard MFN customs duty on HS 2208 is 30% ad valorem. Preferential duty is 0% for qualifying goods originating in the European Union (under the EU–Serbia SAA) and…Producers Duty-free
SlovakialegalEU Common Customs Tariff (TARIC). Most non-denatured distilled spirits classified under HS code 2208 (including whisky, rum, vodka, gin, brandy) enter duty-free (0%)…Producers Duty-free
Slovenialegal0% for major categories of distilled spirits (whisky, gin, vodka, rum, grape brandy) under the EU Common Customs Tariff (GATT/WTO zero-for-zero spirits agreement);…Producers Duty-free
Spainlegal0% for most commercial distilled spirits under HS 2208 (including whisky 2208.30, rum 2208.40, gin 2208.50, and vodka 2208.60) under the EU Common Customs Tariff…Producers Duty-free
Svalbard and Jan Mayendry areas exist0% (Svalbard is an open free-trade/customs-exempt zone under the Svalbard Treaty; no customs duties are levied on spirits under HS 2208)Producers Duty-free
Swedenlegal0% (Free) third-country conventional customs duty under the EU Common Customs Tariff (TARIC HS code heading 2208) for standard spirits including vodka, whisky, gin, and…Producers Duty-free
SwitzerlandlegalSpirits classified under HS 2208 fall under agricultural/processed agricultural goods (HS Chapters 1-24) and were not eliminated by the 2024 industrial tariff reform.…Producers Duty-free
Ukrainelegal / dry areas existUnder Customs Tariff Law No. 2697-IX: Preferential/MFN customs duty for most distilled spirits (whisky, rum, gin, vodka under HS 2208) is 0%; full rate is generally 3.50…Producers Duty-free
United KingdomlegalUnder the UK Global Tariff (UKGT), most spirits under HS 2208 (whiskies 2208.30, rum 2208.40, gin 2208.50, vodka 2208.60, and liqueurs 2208.70) enter at 0% (duty-free).…Producers Duty-free

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