Distillers Alcohol regulations in Congo, The Democratic Republic of the
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Congo, The Democratic Republic of the, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched February 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in February 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 Spotted something out of date?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 / dry areas exist
- Legal drinking age
- 18
- Legal purchase age
- 18
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Autorisation d'implantation et d'exploitation industrielle, and Agrément / Déclaration d'activité comme fabricant de produits d'accises auprès de la DGDA
- Authority
- Ministère de l'Industrie and Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA)
- Documents
- RCCM (Registre du Commerce et du Crédit Mobilier), Numéro d'Identification Nationale (Id. Nat), Numéro d'Impôt (NIF), environmental impact study, technical plant and equipment schematics, production volume estimates
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Legally established Congolese companies or branches registered in the RCCM possessing a tax number (NIF), National Identification number, and an active Import/Export Code (Numéro Import-Export)
- Licences or registrations
- Numéro Import-Export, registration with the DGDA as an excise goods importer, and electronic Import Declaration (Déclaration d'Importation - DI / DIB) processed through GUICE / SEGUCE RDC
- Authority
- Ministère du Commerce Extérieur, Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA), and Guichet Unique du Commerce Extérieur (GUICE)
- Documents
- Commercial invoice, bill of lading/air waybill, packing list, import declaration (DI), certificate of origin, certificate of analysis, and OCC verification of conformity certificate
- Fees
- GUICE filing fees, OCC conformity inspection fees (typically 0.75% of FOB value), DGDA registration fees
- Time to obtain
- 1 to 3 weeks
Product and label registration
Required: yes Process: Mandatory Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (VoC / PVoI) via the Office Congolais de Contrôle (OCC) or its international inspection partners (e.g., Bureau Veritas/BIVAC) before shipment. Importers must…
Import rules
All commercial shipments of spirits valued at USD 2,500 FOB or more must undergo pre-shipment inspection and obtain an OCC Certificate of Conformity. Under the Excise Code (Ordonnance-loi No. 18/002) and Decree No. 18/045,…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
20% ad valorem on CIF value under the Congolese Customs Tariff (HS 2208).
Excise and taxes
Excise duty: 25% ad valorem on alcoholic beverages / distilled spirits. VAT: 16% (calculated on CIF + import duty + excise duty). Additional trade charges include the OCC administrative verification fee (~1.5% to 2%), computer…
Retail and distribution
Distribution is handled by private enterprises (importers, wholesalers, supermarkets, retail bottle shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and licensed terrasses/bars). Retailers must hold a municipal trading license (patente…
Online sale and delivery
Restricted; general e-commerce and delivery operations exist in metropolitan areas (Kinshasa, Lubumbashi), but sales must abide by standard commercial tax rules and strict age verification prohibiting delivery to minors under 18.
Labelling
Labels must be printed in French (English is also accepted alongside French). Mandatory particulars include product brand/trade name, beverage class/category, alcoholic strength by volume (% ABV), net liquid volume, lot/batch…
Advertising
Restricted under Departmental Order No. 04/DIP/005/90 and public health laws. Alcohol advertising targeting minors or featuring minors is strictly illegal. Ads must not link alcohol intake to athletic performance, vehicular…
Legal definitions of spirits
Technical standards and identity parameters follow Codex Alimentarius specifications applied by the Office Congolais de Contrôle (OCC). Spirits generally require an ABV corresponding to international commercial standards (whisky,…
Dry or restricted areas
No nationwide territorial prohibition, but individual territorial administrations and municipal councils periodically issue local bans on strong spirits and traditional distilled moonshine (such as Lotoko and sachet liquor) to…
Recent changes
In July 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Trade issued Ministerial Order No. 008/CAB/MIN.COMEXT/2024 imposing a temporary 12-month nationwide suspension on the import of beers and carbonated soft drinks to protect domestic industry,…
Opportunities for exporters
While the DRC government has restricted mass-market beer imports to protect domestic brewers, high-value bottled distilled spirits (cognac, premium Scotch whisky, gin, and vodka) remain open to international exporters and…
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- Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC) - Enjeux sur la protection de l'industrie locale et restrictions d'importation (2026)
- Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA) - Communiqués officiels sur le Système de Traçabilité des Droits d'Accises (STDA)
- Office Congolais de Contrôle (OCC) / ComplyMarket - Verification of Conformity (VoC) Program DRC
- Ministère du Commerce Extérieur - Arrêté portant mesures de suspension temporaire d'importation
- PwC Tax Summaries - Democratic Republic of the Congo: Corporate - Other taxes
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