Distillers Alcohol regulations in Cabo Verde
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Cabo Verde, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched June 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in June 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Legal
- Legal drinking age
- 18
- Legal purchase age
- 18
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Alvará de produção / licença industrial and annual sanitary operating authorisation (licença de funcionamento / vistoria sanitária)
- Authority
- Direção Nacional de Indústria, Comércio e Energia (DNICE) and Entidade Reguladora Independente da Saúde (ERIS)
- Documents
- Commercial registration certificate, industrial plant layout and equipment specifications, environmental clearance, health/hygiene inspection checklist compliance (auto de vistoria), water analysis test reports, HACCP/self-control protocol documentation
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Legally incorporated commercial entities licensed for foreign trade and registered with the tax and customs authorities
- Licences or registrations
- Fiscal Identification Number (NIF), commercial registration with the Chamber of Commerce / Commercial Registry, registration with Direção Nacional de Receitas do Estado (DNRE), and sanitary operator clearance with ERIS
- Authority
- Direção Nacional de Receitas do Estado (DNRE - Alfândegas) and Entidade Reguladora Independente da Saúde (ERIS)
- Documents
- Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading / airway bill, Single Customs Declaration (DU - Documento Único), Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Analysis / sanitary conformity certificate
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
Required: yes Process: Imported food and beverage products require sanitary clearance and verification of label compliance with national food labeling standards by ERIS prior to commercial release. Authority: Entidade Reguladora…
Import rules
Import operations must be cleared through registered customs brokers (despachantes oficiais) via the Sydonia World / ASYCUDA system using the Documento Único (DU); shipments must be accompanied by certificates of origin,…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
40% ad valorem duty (Direito de Importação - DI) on CIF value for distilled spirits under HS Chapter 2208 (Pauta Aduaneira).
Excise and taxes
Special Consumption Tax (Imposto sobre Consumos Especiais - ICE) applies to distilled spirits under HS 2208; Value Added Tax (IVA) standard rate of 15% is levied on the tax base comprising CIF value plus import duties and ICE.
Retail and distribution
Private retail distribution through licensed private shops, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and bars subject to municipal commercial licenses (licença municipal); under Lei nº 51/IX/2019, sale and consumption are banned in…
Online sale and delivery
Restricted; online sales are not explicitly prohibited, but distance sales and courier delivery must strictly comply with the minimum legal age limit (18 years), mandatory age verification upon purchase/handover, and municipal…
Labelling
Under Decreto-Lei nº 67/2015 and technical food regulations, labels must include: product legal denomination, ingredients list (where applicable), nominal net volume in standardized capacities (e.g. 100, 200, 350, 500, 700, 1000,…
Advertising
Substantially prohibited; Lei nº 51/IX/2019 establishes a comprehensive ban on the advertising and marketing of alcoholic beverages across domestic media, public spaces, and youth/sports sponsorship.
Legal definitions of spirits
Traditional sugarcane spirit (Aguardente de cana-de-açúcar / Grogue) is strictly defined under Decreto-Lei nº 11/2015 as spirits produced exclusively from the distillation of naturally fermented sugarcane juice (minimum 38% ABV,…
Dry or restricted areas
No entirely dry geographic jurisdictions; however, strict statutory dry zones apply to public administration premises, schools/educational grounds and youth sports venues, healthcare facilities, workplaces, and street kiosks…
Recent changes
Ongoing strict enforcement and audit inspections by ERIS and IGAE on distilleries and beverage commercialization to safeguard public health and ensure sanitary compliance. Sustained national enforcement of Lei nº 51/IX/2019 (Lei…
Opportunities for exporters
Cabo Verde's prominent tourism and hospitality industry creates continuous demand for international spirits such as Scotch whisky, premium vodka, gin, and brandies. Exporters must factor in a 40% customs duty, excise taxes, and a…
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Sign in to read the full guideSources
- Lei nº 51/IX/2019 (Lei do Álcool) - Governo de Cabo Verde
- Portaria nº 35/2019 e Legislação do Álcool - Imprensa Nacional de Cabo Verde
- Pauta Aduaneira e Imposto sobre Consumos Especiais (ICE) - Ministério das Finanças
- Regulação e Rotulagem de Géneros Alimentícios - ERIS
- Decreto-Lei n.º 11/2015 (Regime Jurídico da Produção de Grogue) - IGAE
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