Russia weighs higher import duties on wines from NATO nations
The Russian government is set to review an initiative that would raise duties on wines from NATO member states to 200 percent. Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko announced the plan, noting that the issue will be examined by a special subcommittee focused on customs and tariff regulation within the Ministry of Economic Development. The statement was reported by TASS.
Officials said the proposal aligns with a policy of counter sanctions against unfriendly states. The subcommittee on customs and tariff regulation is expected to assess the matter in the near term, with a view toward formal decisions that could shape future trade terms for wine imports from listed nations.
Earlier this spring the Russian Association of Vintners and Winegrowers appealed to authorities, requesting a 200 percent duty on wines from NATO countries and a termination of the preferential treatment granted to wine imports from Georgia. The association argued that such steps would help balance the domestic wine market and support local producers amid broader sanctions dynamics.
As part of a broader shift, the Council of Ministers already raised import duties on wine from unfriendly countries from 12.5 percent to 20 percent, with a minimum levy of 1.5 dollars per liter. This measure took effect on August 1, 2023, was planned to last through the end of 2023, and was subsequently extended through 2024. Market observers noted that the higher duties were intended to influence pricing and domestic consumption while encouraging growth in local winemaking.
Economists at the time warned that imposing substantial taxes on NATO wines could have mixed effects, potentially elevating consumer prices and influencing long term consumption patterns. Yet policymakers argued that protective steps were necessary to shield domestic producers from external competition during a period of sanctions and supply chain realignments. Industry analysts have also highlighted that the wine sector in Russia has shown signs of expansion in recent years, with domestic production increasing despite external pressures.
In this environment, the government continues to evaluate strategic tools that affect trade in alcoholic beverages. Observers anticipate a decision on the NATO wine duty issue as part of ongoing discussions about tariff policy, domestic industry support, and the country’s broader economic resilience in the face of geopolitical tensions.