Distillers Alcohol regulations in Algeria
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Algeria, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched July 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in July 2026 from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page. Duty rates, fees and rules change often: confirm with the regulator, a customs broker or local counsel before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Status
- Dry areas exist
- Legal drinking age
- Not regulated
- Legal purchase age
- 18
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Agrément de production d'alcool éthylique et de boissons alcooliques; Déclaration de profession (Article 4, Code des Impôts Indirects)
- Authority
- Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI), Ministère des Finances
- Documents
- Trade registry extract (CNRC), Tax Identification Number (NIF), company statutes, identification and powers of legal representatives, technical description of premises and distilling equipment, signed cahier des charges
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- Statutory limit of 15 days from submission of a complete dossier
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Only corporate commercial entities registered with the CNRC holding an explicit import agrément from tax authorities and allocation within import quota ceilings
- Licences needed or registrations
- Agrément d'importation d'alcool éthylique / boissons alcoolisées; subscription to the official cahier des charges; import contingent allocation; bank domiciliation
- Authority
- Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI) and Ministère du Commerce et de la Promotion des Exportations
- Documents
- Commercial registration (CNRC), NIF, company articles of association, pro forma invoices, annual import quota application, compliance statement with technical specifications
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- Statutory decision within 15 days upon complete dossier filing
Product and label registration
Required: yes Process: Border compliance verification, laboratory analytical testing, and fraud prevention clearance (Visa Fraude) prior to customs clearance Authority: Ministère du Commerce (Direction Générale du Contrôle…
Import rules
Commercial imports require bank domiciliation, a Certificate of Origin, and a Certificate of Conformity. Commercial shipments of ethyl alcohol and spirits are regulated under an annual quota (contingent) system and ministerial…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
30% ad valorem assessed on CIF value (standard customs duty for HS 2208); subject additionally to safeguard duty (DAPS) of 30% to 60% where applicable.
Excise and taxes
Circulation duty (Droit de circulation sur les alcools, Art. 47 Code des Impôts Indirects) assessed per hectolitre of pure alcohol; standard Value Added Tax (TVA) of 19% assessed on CIF + customs duties + excise.
Retail and distribution
Heavily restricted; restricted to licensed venues including classified hotels, specialized licensed restaurants, and dedicated off-premise alcohol shops. Retail and on-premise licenses are subject to approval by local governors…
Online sale and delivery
banned; Law No. 18-05 of 10 May 2018 on Electronic Commerce (Article 3) explicitly prohibits the sale and marketing of alcoholic beverages via electronic transactions and online channels.
Labelling
Governed by Executive Decree No. 13-378 of 9 November 2013 on consumer information. Labeling must be in Arabic (additional languages optional). Mandatory information includes exact product name, net volume, country of origin,…
Advertising
Banned; advertising and promotion of alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited across television, radio, print, and public billboard displays, as well as sports and cultural event sponsorships.
Legal definitions of spirits
not confirmed
Dry or restricted areas
Numerous conservative and interior wilayas and communes do not permit or renew alcohol trade licenses, creating de facto dry zones; alcohol sales are legally barred near mosques, educational institutions, hospitals, and…
Recent changes
Arrêté of January 14, 2026 (Ministry of Finance, published in Journal Officiel No. 50 in July 2026) updated requirements for ethyl alcohol production, import, and sale, instituting an annual import quota system and establishing a…
Opportunities for exporters
Opportunities are strictly confined to niche, high-value spirits aimed at international hotel chains and diplomatic hospitality, facing high customs duties, safeguard taxes, and strict import quota controls.
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Sign in to read the full guideSources
- Direction Générale des Douanes Algériennes - Alcools et Réglementation
- Journal Officiel de la République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire (JORADP)
- Algerie Eco - Production et importation d'alcool éthylique: le ministère des Finances fixe de nouvelles règles (Arrêté 14 Janvier 2026)
- Legal Doctrine - Réglementation du commerce électronique en Algérie (Loi 18-05)
- International Trade Administration - Algeria Import Tariffs and Regulations
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