How much alcohol may I import into the Netherlands?
I would like to take the following quantity of alcoholic beverages to the Netherlands from a non-EU country: 0.75 L of spirits, 3.0 L of wine, 0.7 L of beer.
I checked several websites, including the Tax and Customs administration website from the Netherlands but there seems to be contradicted information:
- alcoholic beverages, for passengers aged 17 and older:
- 1 liter of spirits over 22% volume, or non-denatured ethyl alcohol with more than 80% volume; or
- 2 liters of spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages less than 22% volume, or sparkling wines or liquor wines; or
- a proportional mix of these products; and in addition
- 4 liters still wine; and
- 16 liters of beer;
The taxation and custom union websites from the EU states:
Alcoholic beverages (a) a total of 1 litre of alcohol and alcoholic beverages of an alcoholic strength exceeding 22% vol, or undenatured ethyl alcohol of 80% vol and over (b); or a total of 2 litres of alcoholic beverages of an alcoholic strength not exceeding 22% vol.(b) a total of 4 litres of still wine, and 16 litres of beer (only for VAT and excise duty)
The tax and custom administration website of the Netherlands in the abbreviated version states:
1 litre of spirits, whisky for example, or 2 litres of wine or 16 litres of beer
Which clearly contradicts their information in a more detailed list:
Alcoholic products
You are not liable for tax for the import of: 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of sparkling wine or 2 litres of fortified wine, such as sherry or port and 4 litres of non-sparkling wine and 16 litres of beer
So, which guideline am I to follow? I don't speak Dutch and therefore cannot locate this information in Dutch on the website of the tax and customs administration. Help from a Dutch speaker would be greatly appreciated!
Pictures about "How much alcohol may I import into the Netherlands?"
10 Things Not to Do in Netherlands
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Sabel Blanco, Maria das Dores, Laura Tancredi, Laker