When you enter the EU from outside the EU, you are allowed to bring in a certain amount of tobacco or alcohol, for your personal use or to give away as gifts, without paying VAT or excise duties to customs authorities. However, you need to be aware that the regulations governing the limits on how much tobacco you can bring to an EU country from non-EU countries for personal use may vary by country and are subject to changes. Here we’ll provide you with the most up-to-date information on EU duty-free allowances for 2023. (For the duty-free allowances when traveling to the UK, see here).
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EU duty-free allowances 2023
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How much alcohol can you bring to Europe?
Under the 2023 EU duty-free allowance rules for alcohol, if you are entering the EU from outside the EU, you can bring in the following without paying VAT or excise duties:
You can bring in BOTH:
- 4 liters of still wine and
- 16 liters of beer
In addition, you can bring in EITHER:
- 1 liter of spirits over 22 % vol. (such as vodka or gin) OR
- 1 liter of undenatured alcohol (ethyl alcohol) of 80% vol. (or over) OR
- 2 liters of fortified (for example sherry or port) or sparkling wine
You can split this last allowance according to your preference, provided that you do not exceed your total alcohol allowance. So, for example, you could bring in the total of the first allowance (4 liters of still wine and 16 liters of beer), PLUS a half liter of spirits and 1 liter of fortified wine OR 4 liters of still wine, 16 liters of beer and 2 liters of sparkling wine.
If you are under 17 years old, you are not entitled to a duty-free allowance for tobacco or alcohol.
How many cigarettes can you bring to Europe?
Under the 2023 EU duty-free allowance rules, tobacco is subject to excise duty. While duty-free alcohol limits are common to all EU countries, the amount of tobacco or how many cigarettes you can bring into the EU without paying taxes or duties varies by country. The EU duty-free rules provide a framework with higher and lower limits for tobacco allowances; each EU country has the flexibility to set its own limit within this range. You’ll need to check for the most up-to-date information on tobacco allowances set by the customs authorities of the EU country you are visiting before traveling. Be aware that tobacco allowances are subject to change: keep yourself updated on the latest regulations for the country you are traveling to. Here is the current range of higher and lower limits to EU duty-free tobacco allowances:
Higher limit
200 cigarettes or
100 cigarillos or
50 cigars or
250 g tobacco
Lower limit
40 cigarettes or
20 cigarillos or
10 cigars or
50 g tobacco
You may combine any of these tobacco products, but you must not exceed the total limit. For example, for travel to EU countries where the higher limit applies, you can carry 50 cigarillos and 25 cigars, this is your total allowance. If you bring in goods over your allowance, you must pay taxes on all of the goods in that category, not just those above the allowance.
Tobacco products include pipe tobacco, water pipe tobacco, plant, herbal or fruit-based smoking products. The allowance on cigarettes includes all types of cigarettes – normal, herbal or a combination of both.
If you are under 17 years old, you are not entitled to a duty-free allowance for tobacco or alcohol.
How much fuel can I bring to the EU?
You can carry 10 litres (maximum) of fuel in a portable container, in addition to the fuel contained in your fuel tank. This rule applies to any type of motorized vehicle.
Other goods including perfume
You may carry other goods (including perfume, coffee, tea, electronic devices etc…) up to a value of €300 per traveler or €430 per traveler by air and sea. Some EU countries apply a lower limit of €150 for travelers under 15.
Transiting in the EU via Switzerland or another non-EU country
If you are travelling through Switzerland on your way to Europe, you must comply with Swiss customs rules. In terms of allowances for alcohol, tobacco, etc., Swiss regulations are much stricter than EU directives.
If you carry quantities of alcohol or tobacco above the limits allowed in Switzerland, you must declare them when you enter Switzerland and when you re-enter the EU. In Switzerland you may be requested to provide a financial guarantee which you will get back when you leave the country with the goods.
Sources: Your Europe – Admin CH