Russia Raises Alcohol Excise Taxes by 11.4%

Russia will raise excise taxes on alcohol, alcoholic products and alcohol-containing products by 11.4% starting Jan. 1, 2026, according to a federal law published on the country’s official legal information portal.

The increase, set out in Federal Law No. 425-FZ dated Nov. 28, 2025, changes Article 193 of Russia’s Tax Code and lifts the excise tax on ethyl alcohol from 740 rubles to 824 rubles per liter of anhydrous alcohol. The earlier plan had called for a smaller increase to 770 rubles per liter, or 4.05%.

The new rates also apply to alcohol-containing products and alcoholic beverages with an ethyl alcohol content above 18%. For 2027, the excise tax is set at 857 rubles per liter, and for 2028 it is set at 891 rubles per liter.

The government also raised excise taxes above previously planned levels for several other categories of alcoholic beverages. The change is likely to affect production costs, import pricing and retail prices in a market where taxes are a major factor in consumer demand and industry margins.

For wineries, spirits makers, importers and distributors doing business in Russia, the higher levy will require new pricing and tax planning as the year begins. The measure comes as governments in many markets continue to use alcohol taxation both as a revenue tool and as a way to influence consumption.

The announcement was made by AK&M based on company-provided material.