That duty-free bottle is only a bargain if it clears customs duty-free. Here's how much alcohol, tobacco and goods you can bring home before you owe tax — by country.
| Bringing into | Alcohol | Tobacco | Goods value |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1 L | 200 cigarettes | $800 |
| European Union | 1 L spirits or 4 L wine | 200 cigarettes | €430 (air) |
| United Kingdom | 4 L spirits + 18 L wine | 200 cigarettes | £390 |
| Canada (48 hrs+) | 1.14 L spirits or 1.5 L wine | 200 cigarettes | C$800 |
| Australia | 2.25 L | 25 cigarettes | A$900 |
Allowances are per adult (age limits apply — usually 17–21 for alcohol/tobacco), and go down for tobacco in some countries. Over the limit isn't banned — you just declare it and pay the duty. Rules change; confirm with the destination's customs authority.
It's the amount of alcohol, tobacco and general goods you can bring into a country without paying import duty or tax. Go over it and you don't lose the items — you just declare them and pay the duty on the excess.
Usually yes, if they're sealed in the tamper-evident bag (STEB) with the receipt visible and dated, and you don't open it before your final destination. Some countries are stricter on transfers, so keep the bag sealed and the receipt handy.
Generally 1 liter per adult duty-free as part of the $800 exemption. You can bring more, but you'll declare it and pay duty and any state taxes on the excess. You must be 21 or older.