Distillers Alcohol regulations in Gabon
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Gabon, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched August 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in August 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Industrial operating authorization (Autorisation d'exploitation industrielle) and excise/fiscal warehouse agrément
- Authority
- Ministère du Commerce et de l'Industrie; Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI); Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (DGDDI)
- Documents
- Commercial registration (RCCM), Tax Identification Number (NIF), environmental impact study, technical distillery equipment specifications, site safety and sanitation inspection certificate
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Legally incorporated commercial entities in Gabon with a valid Trade Register registration (RCCM), active Tax Identification Number (NIF), and an importer/trader card
- Licences or registrations
- Commercial importer registration, Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (BIETC via Conseil Gabonais des Chargeurs), and Certificate of Conformity (CoC) under PROGEC where applicable
- Authority
- Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (DGDDI), Ministère du Commerce, Conseil Gabonais des Chargeurs (CGC), Agence Gabonaise de Normalisation (AGANOR)
- Documents
- Commercial invoice, bill of lading / airway bill, packing list, BIETC, Certificate of Origin, import declaration, lab analysis report / CoC
- Fees
- Standard customs clearance processing fees, BIETC issuance fees, and Computer System Usage Fee (RUSID) of ~2% to 4% CIF
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
Required: yes Process: Products must comply with Gabonese technical standards under the Gabonese Conformity Assessment Programme (PROGEC) overseen by AGANOR, verified prior to shipment through accredited international inspection…
Import rules
All commercial shipments must obtain an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (BIETC) prior to loading/arrival; clearance must be handled by an accredited customs broker (commissionnaire en douane agréé); requires Certificate of Origin,…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
30% (CEMAC Common External Tariff Category 4 applied to CIF value for HS 2208)
Excise and taxes
Excise duty: 30% ad valorem + specific excise tax of XAF 500 per litre for imported alcoholic beverages exceeding 12% ABV; Value-Added Tax (VAT): 18%; Special Solidarity Contribution (CSS): 1%; Community Integration Tax…
Retail and distribution
Private retailers, supermarkets, and licensed specialized wine/liquor stores (débits de boissons à emporter); on-premise sales permitted in licensed bars, hotels, and restaurants holding a Category 3 or 4 licence under Décret n°…
Online sale and delivery
Allowed under general e-commerce and commercial retail rules, subject to standard vendor licensing and strict age verification prohibiting supply to persons under 18 years of age.
Labelling
Labels must be in French (or contain clear French text); must declare commercial product name, net volume, alcoholic strength by volume (% ABV), name and address of producer or bottler, importer details, batch/lot number, and…
Advertising
Regulated by the Haute Autorité de la Communication (HAC) and the National Communication Code; broadcast and outdoor advertising of alcoholic beverages is subject to content and scheduling restrictions, must not target minors or…
Legal definitions of spirits
Conforms to CEMAC common standards and CODEX Alimentarius definitions for spirit categories (whisky, brandy, gin, rum, vodka); minimum ABV thresholds generally reflect international norms (typically 37.5% to 40% ABV for major…
Dry or restricted areas
No territorial dry zones nationwide; strict buffer exclusion zones apply around educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and religious buildings where opening or operating alcohol establishments is prohibited.
Recent changes
Heightened enforcement operations in 2024–2025 by transitional authorities (CTRI, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Interior) cracking down on illegal liquor sales to minors under Article 281 of the Penal Code and sealing…
Opportunities for exporters
Gabon has one of the highest urbanization rates and purchasing powers per capita in Central Africa, sustaining durable demand for premium imported spirits such as Scotch whisky, French cognac, and brand-name vodkas. Exporters…
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Sign in to read the full guideSources
- PwC Gabon - Corporate - Other taxes (Excise duties, VAT, Customs surcharges)
- International Trade Administration (trade.gov) - Gabon Import Tariffs & Customs Regulations
- Journal Officiel de la République Gabonaise - Décret N° 0408/PR/MISPID fixant les conditions d'ouverture et d'exploitation des débits de boissons
- Direction Générale des Douanes Gabonaises - Tarif Extérieur Commun CEMAC
- Infos Gabon - Débits de boissons à proximité des écoles et répression de la vente d'alcool aux mineurs (Loi n°006/2020)
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