Russia Hikes Tariffs on Spirits From ‘Unfriendly’ Countries

Russia has raised import duties on spirits from countries it labels “unfriendly”, increasing the rate from 20% to 35%. The move is intended to raise government revenue and encourage demand for Russian-made alcohol, while potentially making imported drinks more expensive.

The new duty has a minimum charge of €5 per litre, up from €3, and covers whiskey, rum, gin, liqueurs, brandies, tinctures and undenatured ethyl alcohol. It applies to imports from 49 countries, including the EU, the United States and the United Kingdom, and is due to remain in force until 31 December 2027. Russia’s draft budget forecasts an extra 10 billion roubles in revenue next year; industry experts expect retail prices to rise after existing stocks are sold, though waning alcohol consumption may limit growth for domestic producers.