Do I have to declare Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV at Italy customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 1 liters of Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV in Italy?

Under Agenzia delle dogane e dei Monopoli, Carta doganale del viaggiatore, if you declare the excess yourself: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under ADM, Carta doganale del viaggiatore: the goods are held until you leave the country; the goods are confiscated. Under Decreto legislativo 26 settembre 2024, n. 141, Articolo 96, comma 1, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed; the goods are confiscated.

Can I post or ship Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV to Italy instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Is there a minimum age for the Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV allowance in Italy?

Yes — 17 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV at all, not a smaller one.

Can I take Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV out of Italy?

Italy publishes no separate rule for taking Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Italy limit for Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) states it in FAQ - Le risposte alle domande più frequenti sulla materia doganale - Agenzia delle dogane e dei Monopoli. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “a. bevande distillate e bevande spiritose con titolo alcolometrico superiore a 22 % vol; alcole etilico non denaturato di 80 % vol e più: 1 litro, oppure:”

How does Italy compare with other countries on Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV, 9 limit it and 10 let it through. Italy is among the more permissive.

How much Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV can I bring into Italy?

Restricted

You can bring Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV into Italy only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 1 liter

What you need to know

1 liter (33.81 US fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA)	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

FAQ - Le risposte alle domande più frequenti sulla materia doganale - Agenzia delle dogane e dei Monopoli Agenzia delle dogane e dei Monopoli

Questions about Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV in Italy

How much Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV can I bring into Italy?: Italy allows 1 liters of Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV at Italy customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 1 liters of Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV in Italy?: Under Agenzia delle dogane e dei Monopoli, Carta doganale del viaggiatore, if you declare the excess yourself: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under ADM, Carta doganale del viaggiatore: the goods are held until you leave the country; the goods are confiscated. Under Decreto legislativo 26 settembre 2024, n. 141, Articolo 96, comma 1, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed; the goods are confiscated.
Can I post or ship Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV to Italy instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Is there a minimum age for the Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV allowance in Italy?: Yes — 17 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV out of Italy?: Italy publishes no separate rule for taking Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Italy limit for Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) states it in FAQ - Le risposte alle domande più frequenti sulla materia doganale - Agenzia delle dogane e dei Monopoli. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “a. bevande distillate e bevande spiritose con titolo alcolometrico superiore a 22 % vol; alcole etilico non denaturato di 80 % vol e più: 1 litro, oppure:”
How does Italy compare with other countries on Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV, 9 limit it and 10 let it through. Italy is among the more permissive.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages up to and including 22% vol Alcoholic beverages (all types) Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) Alcoholic beverages (standard 760 ml bottle) Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV