Alcohol regulations in Belize

Licences needed

Distiller's Licence and Still Registration Certificate under the Excise Regulation Act

Authority

Belize Customs & Excise Department

Documents

Formal application, detailed distillery apparatus plans, still specifications and receiver capacities, warehouse security blueprints, and applicant declarations

Fees

Statutory licence and still fees as scheduled under the Excise Regulation Act

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Registered businesses holding a valid Customs Tax Identification Number (TIN) / Customs code and licensed liquor wholesalers/importers

Licences or registrations

Import Licence from the Supplies Control Unit per shipment; BAHA clearance where required

Authority

Supplies Control Unit (Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprises / DGFT) and Belize Customs & Excise Department

Documents

Single Administrative Document (Form C-100), commercial invoice, bill of lading, certificate of origin, packing list, import licence application

Fees

No administrative fee for standard Supplies Control Unit import licences

Time to obtain

Approximately 3 to 7 business days

Required: no Process: No mandatory pre-market COLA-style brand registration system exists; however, labels are subject to conformity assessment and verification against compulsory national and CARICOM standards by the Belize…

Spirits are classified as restricted goods requiring an import licence from the Supplies Control Unit prior to shipment. Formal clearance through an authorized customs broker is required for commercial imports. Shipments must…

Spirits under HS 2208 are subject to CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET) rates ranging from 40% to 110% ad valorem on CIF value, depending on classification and alcohol content; goods of qualifying CARICOM origin enter duty-free under rules of origin.

General Sales Tax (GST) of 12.5% calculated on CIF plus duty plus RRD; Environmental Tax of 2% to 3% on CIF value; Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD) applied on imported spirits (typically BZ$ 35.00 per imperial gallon on whiskey,…

Private licensed retailers and hospitality venues under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act (Cap. 150). Licences include Shop, Beer, Publican General, Publican Special, Restaurant, Hotel, and Night Club. Standard operating…

restricted / not specifically regulated; e-commerce operators must hold a valid physical liquor licence, adhere to statutory shop retail closing hours (no delivery past 9:00 PM), and enforce strict age verification upon delivery…

Must be in English (pre-packaged goods compliant with US, CARICOM, Canadian, or EU standards are generally accepted). Mandatory details include brand name, product name, net contents (metric, ml/L), alcohol strength (% ABV),…

Regulated under consumer protection and public health standards. Advertisements cannot target minors, must include responsible drinking messages/health hazard notices, and must not promote excessive alcohol consumption or depict…

Rum is defined under CARICOM Standard CCS 0025 (adopted by BBS) as a spirit derived from sugarcane fermentation/distillation with a minimum ABV of 40% (Sykes Proof rum minimum 57.1% ABV). Other distilled spirits (whisky, gin,…

No dry municipalities or districts exist; however, public drinking on streets, parks, and unauthorized public spaces is prohibited under Section 44A of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act. Alcohol sales are restricted during…

Cabinet approval and legislative drafting advanced for a comprehensive modernization of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act (Cap. 150) to overhaul fee schedules, streamline local licensing authorities, and strengthen…

Expanding international tourism and growth in Belize's hospitality sector create solid demand for premium international spirits such as Scotch whisky, bourbon, gin, and tequila. Exporters must navigate high import tariffs and…

1. US International Trade Administration - Belize Country Commercial Guide: Import Tariffs, Customs Regulations & Requirements
2. US International Trade Administration - Belize: Prohibited & Restricted Imports
3. Belize Customs & Excise Department - Excise Regulation Act Chapter 53
4. Belize Ministry of Rural Transformation - Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act Chapter 150
5. Government of Belize Press Office - Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Regulations Amended (SI 175 of 2022)
6. Belize Bureau of Standards - Specification for Rum (CARICOM Standard CCS 0025)
7. TTB International Affairs Division - Belize Beverage Alcohol Import Requirements