Traveller customs allowances · EU & US
How much alcohol & tobacco can you bring?
Bringing wine, spirits or cigarettes across the border? Enter what you're carrying and where you're entering — the tool shows, per item, whether you're within the duty-free allowance or over.
The short answer
Both the EU and the US let you bring a limited amount of alcohol and tobacco duty-free — but they count alcohol differently.
- • EU (entering from outside the EU): 1 L spirits over 22% (or 2 L fortified/sparkling) + 4 L still wine + 16 L beer, and 200 cigarettes — each a separate allowance (Council Directive 2007/74/EC).
- • US (returning resident): 1 American litre of alcohol total (age 21+) + 200 cigarettes, within an $800 personal exemption (CBP / 19 CFR).
Official sources: Dir 2007/74/EC · CBP — customs duty · 19 CFR 148.43
Allowance verdict
Within your duty-free allowance
Everything you entered is within the duty-free allowance for this crossing. Keep receipts, and remember the allowances are per adult traveller.
Item by item
- ✓ Spirits (>22%)1 / 1 L
- ✓ Still wine2 / 4 L
- ✓ Beer6 / 16 L
- ✓ Cigarettes200 / 200 cig
EU note: Member States may apply lower tobacco limits (as few as 40 cigarettes) — check the country you enter.
Other goods (gifts, souvenirs) are duty-free up to €430 per traveller for this transport mode — alcohol and tobacco have their own separate limits above.
Alcohol and tobacco allowances apply only to travellers aged 17 and over.
Above the allowance, goods are dutiable (and, in the US, subject to internal revenue tax); state or national law may further restrict alcohol. This is orientation, not a customs ruling.
How the allowances work
1. The EU caps each drink type
Entering the EU, you get a separate allowance for spirits (1 L over 22%, or 2 L fortified/sparkling), still wine (4 L) and beer (16 L) — you can bring all three together. Tobacco is 200 cigarettes (or the cigar/loose equivalents).
2. The US counts alcohol in total
Returning to the US, the duty-free allowance is 1 American litre of alcohol total (not per type), for travellers 21+, plus 200 cigarettes, within an $800 personal exemption.
3. Over the allowance = dutiable
Anything above the allowance is dutiable — declare it. Allowances are per adult traveller and can't be pooled across a family or group, and some EU Member States set lower tobacco limits.
Frequently asked questions
- How much alcohol can I bring into the EU duty-free?
- From a non-EU country: 1 litre of spirits over 22% vol (or 2 litres of fortified/sparkling wine at 22% or less), plus 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer. These are separate allowances, so you can bring all of them together — per traveller aged 17 or over (Council Directive 2007/74/EC).
- How much alcohol can I bring into the US?
- A returning US resident may bring 1 American litre (about 33.8 fl oz) of alcohol duty-free for personal use, if aged 21 or over, within the $800 personal exemption. Unlike the EU, the US counts alcohol in total, not per type. More than a litre is allowed but dutiable, and state laws may restrict the amount.
- How many cigarettes can I bring?
- Entering the EU: 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250 g of smoking tobacco) per adult — but EU Member States may set lower limits, as few as 40 cigarettes. Entering the US: 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars within the personal exemption.
- Can my family combine our allowances?
- No. The alcohol and tobacco allowances are per adult traveller and cannot be pooled. Each adult (17+ for the EU, 21+ for US alcohol) has their own allowance; a minor's allowance cannot be used by an adult.
- What happens if I'm over the limit?
- Declare the excess. You generally pay duty (and, in the US, internal revenue tax) only on the amount over the allowance, not on everything — but failing to declare can mean penalties or seizure. State or national rules may also restrict how much alcohol you can bring at all.
- Is this customs advice?
- No. This tool shows the EU and US traveller allowances from the official texts and flags whether your quantities are over. It is orientation, not a customs ruling, and other countries have different limits. Verify against the linked official sources and the customs site of your destination.
Travel-smart gear
Independent picks for bringing bottles home safely. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.
- Protect bottles in your checked bag: reusable wine bottle protector sleeves
- Avoid an overweight-bag surprise: digital luggage scales
- Pack the rest efficiently: compression packing cubes
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links above are affiliate links — they fund this free checker at no extra cost to you.