Russia raises duties on imported strong alcohol to 35% from November 11

From November 11, 2026, customs duties on strong alcohol from unfriendly countries will rise in Russia: the rate will increase from 20% to 35%, and the minimum fee — from three to five euros per liter. The resolution was signed on October 31 and published on the legal information portal. The measure will affect whiskey, rum, gin, vodka and liqueurs and will remain in effect until the end of 2027.

Otabek YusupovFirst published on tafs uz 5 November 2026 at 14:382 min read

The key facts

The duty rate on strong alcohol from unfriendly countries will rise from 20% to 35%, and the minimum fee from 3 to 5 euros per liter
An exemption remains in place for grape distillates in containers larger than two liters
Expected additional budget revenue is about 10 billion rubles in 2027

New rates and validity period

The Russian government has raised customs duties on strong alcohol from unfriendly countries: from November 11, the rate increases from 20% to 35% of the customs value, and the minimum fee — from three to five euros per liter. The resolution was signed on October 31 and published on the official legal information portal, reports Life.ru. The new rules will primarily affect imported whiskey, rum, gin, vodka and liqueurs, as well as certain spirit tinctures and non-denatured ethyl alcohol with a strength below 80%. The changes will remain in effect through December 31, 2027, inclusive.

Exemptions and budget effect

For some grape distillates supplied in containers with a volume of more than two liters, the previous rate will remain — 20%, but not less than three euros per liter. According to estimates cited in the materials accompanying the draft federal budget, the tariff increase will bring in an additional 10 billion rubles in 2027. The increase continues the policy of restricting imports of certain categories of goods from unfriendly states: earlier, a 35% rate was set for some imported biologically active supplements, for which separate exemptions are provided, including products from Hungary and Slovakia.

What this means for prices and the market

According to Kommersant, whose figures the outlet cites, alcohol market participants expect mass-market imports to rise in price by 16–17%, and more expensive items by 10–12%. The main effect for buyers may appear in early 2027, after warehouse stocks are refreshed. Market context: Life.ru previously reported that in the first nine months of 2026, the share of Russian whiskey aged less than three years grew 4.7-fold — to 17.6% — and linked this trend to rising prices for more aged spirits.