Bringing alcohol from abroad

Publication date 14-07-2026 | Last update 14-07-2026

Are you looking to bring alcohol from abroad? In that case, you must take into account the maximum quantities you may carry duty-free.

If you bring in more than the permitted duty-free quantity, you must declare it and pay import duties, excise duty, and/or VAT.

Different quantities within the EU and outside the EU

The exact quantity you are allowed to bring depends on the country you are returning from. Different rules apply to travellers from EU countries, than to travellers from countries outside the EU. The overview of EU countries shows you whether the country from which you are returning is within or outside the EU.

Are you returning from an EU exception area? Then the same rules apply as for traveling from a non-EU country.

Travelling from an EU country or Northern Ireland

Per person, aged 17 years or older, you are allowed to carry into the Netherlands duty-free:

• 110 litres of beer
• and 90 litres of wine
  • of this, a maximum of 60 litres may be sparkling wine, such as champagne, prosecco, or cava
• and 20 litres of light liqueur or fortified wine such as sherry and port (maximum 22% alcohol)
• and 10 litres of spirits, such as cognac, vodka, whisky, and rum (more than 22% alcohol)

Carrying more than the permitted duty-free quantity

Are you carrying more than the permitted maximum quantity? If so, you must be able to demonstrate that the alcohol is for personal use. Customs will then ask for proof, such as purchase receipts.

If you can show that the alcohol is for personal use, you are usually allowed to take it with you. If you cannot provide any or sufficient proof, you will either pay tax, or Customs will confiscate the alcohol.

Travelling from a non-EU country or an EU exception area

Per person, aged 17 years or older, you are allowed to carry into the Netherlands duty-free:

Wine and beer

You are allowed to bring:

• 16 litres of beer
• and 4 litres of still wine, such as red wine, white wine, or rosé. So no sparkling wine, such as champagne or cava.

Spirits, liqueur and sparkling wine

In addition to wine and beer, you may also bring spirits, liqueur, and sparkling wine. The following applies:

• maximum of 1 litre of spirits (above 22% alcohol, such as rum or whisky)
• or a maximum of 1 litre of light spirits (under 22% alcohol, such as liqueur or sparkling wine)

Do you want to bring both? That is allowed. The following applies: if you bring some of one thing, you may bring less of the other.

Carrying more than the permitted duty-free quantity

If you bring in more than the permitted duty-free quantity, you must declare this to Customs:

• If you travel by plane or boat, choose the exit with the sign 'Goods to declare' at the airport or port.
• If you travel by private transport, you must make a declaration with a Customs office associated with the place where you cross the Dutch border.

You pay import duties, excise duty, and/or VAT on anything you bring in over the permitted duty-free quantity.

If you do not make a declaration, you will have to pay a fine on top of the tax.

Are you working in international relations?

If you work in international relations, you are not allowed to bring as much alcohol as other travellers. For example, if you are a flight attendant for an airline with destinations outside the EU.

Importing duty-free as a crew member from a non-EU country

As a crew member, you may bring one of the options below from a non-EU country:

• 1 litre of spirits
• or 1 litre of sparkling wine
• or 1 litre of fortified wine such as sherry or port

You are also allowed to bring:

• 2 litres of still wine
• and 8 litres of beer

Exceptions

Some crew members do not fall in the category 'crew members in international relations', and therefore do not receive a tax exemption. This applies to:

• crew members in day, artificial, or sport fishing
• crew members of the Government Shipping Company
• crew members of (offshore) platforms
• someone coming from the sea, instead of from a country outside the EU

The specific regulations can be found in the Customs Manual (Dutch).

See more

• Rules for luggage you bring into the Netherlands