The 2014 end of year party at the Azerbaijan embassy in Canberra must have been epic if its official requests to import duty-free booze and cigarettes were any guide.

Leaked documents show Azerbaijan Ambassador Rovshan Jamshidov​ and financial attache Araz Khasiyev used their diplomatic status to get Australian government approval to import duty free 2000 litres of beer, 1100 litres of wine, 520 litres of spirits and 40,000 cigarettes from two suppliers.

Modern cigarette filters may actually increase the rate of cancer. Credit:Nic Walker

While the amounts might seem excessive for an embassy which represents an overwhelmingly Islamic nation and is staffed by five diplomats, they were within Australia's generous rules for the representatives of foreign governments.

Unlike most of us who are only entitled to a handful of bottles at airport duty-free shops, embassies and high commissions in Australia can obtain excise-free a maximum of 260 litres of spirits, 1000 litres of beer and 20,000 cigarettes every six months if the products are used in an official capacity.