1 / 12Import tariffs are financial charges or taxes imposed on goods brought into a country. They are applied by governments to raise revenue or protect domestic industries from foreign competition. The global wine trade faces significant barriers due to import tariffs, which are often influenced by protectionist policies, trade disputes, and geopolitical tensions.
2 / 12Below is a list of the ten highest wine import tariffs worldwide, covering both Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rates and retaliatory tariffs, as reported by The Drinks Business.
3 / 12Russia | In 2023, Russia increased its tariff on wines from “unfriendly nations” (mainly the EU, the United States, and the United Kingdom) from 12.5% to 20%. This measure, introduced in retaliation for Western sanctions, applies to both bottled and bulk wines. Russian officials have also threatened a 200% protective tariff on EU wines in response to ongoing sanctions. Meanwhile, wine from “friendly” nations such as Chile, Armenia, and South Africa continues to enter at reduced or duty-free rates.
4 / 12Brazil | Under the Mercosur Common External Tariff, Brazil imposes a 27% import duty—one of the highest base rates among major economies. This tariff applies equally to both bottled and bulk wine, with no exemptions for large shipments.
5 / 12Morocco | Morocco levies an MFN tariff of approximately 49% on imported wine. While the European Union benefits from reduced rates under a trade agreement, non-preferential countries face substantial restrictions. The duty applies uniformly to all types of wine, whether bottled or bulk.
6 / 12Vietnam | Vietnam imposes a 50% MFN tariff on wine imports. However, it has gradually lowered tariffs for the EU, Australia, and Chile through free trade agreements, with European wine expected to be duty-free by 2027. The 50% rate continues to apply to non-preferential wines, including those from the US.
7 / 12Indonesia | Indonesia enforces a 90% import tariff on all wines, whether bottled or bulk. Additional taxes, including excise duty and VAT, further inflate retail prices, often making wine three to four times more expensive than its original import cost.
8 / 12India | India applies a staggering 150% import tariff on all wines, among the highest in the world. Although free trade negotiations with the EU and the UK are ongoing, no major reductions have been agreed upon. Australia has managed to secure lower tariffs on premium wines through a trade agreement, but for most exporters, India remains a highly challenging market due to state-level excise duties that further drive up costs.
9 / 12Iraq | Iraq imposes a 200% import duty on all alcoholic beverages, including wine. In effect since 2016, this tariff is among the world’s steepest, tripling the price of imported wine. Some exceptions exist, with diplomatic and tourism-related imports benefiting from reduced duties.
10 / 12United States | Former US President Donald Trump proposed a 200% tariff on European wine in response to EU tariffs on American goods. While this duty has not yet been enacted, its implementation could severely impact European wine exports, as the US remains a key market for European producers. If enforced, it is expected to significantly reduce EU wine sales in the US.
11 / 12Malaysia | Malaysia has a complex tax structure in which import duties, excise taxes, and VAT combine to create an effective tax rate of between 150% and 250% on imported wine. Unlike other countries with standardised ad valorem tariffs, Malaysia calculates charges based on alcohol content and volume, making it one of the most expensive markets for wine imports.
12 / 12Egypt | Egypt imposes an extraordinary 1,800% tariff on still wine and 3,000% on sparkling wine, making it the highest wine import tariff in the world. These rates effectively ban foreign wine imports, with only limited exceptions for the tourism sector, where a reduced but still punitive 300% duty plus VAT applies.
