Distillers Alcohol regulations in Guyana
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Guyana, 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Legal drinking age
- 18 (consumption on licensed premises; narrow exception allows 16- and 17-year-olds to consume beer, wine, or cider with a sit-down meal in a restaurant dining area; private consumption in homes is unregulated)
- Legal purchase age
- 18 (mandatory age verification required under Section 52A of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act)
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Distiller's Licence / Manufacturer of Excisable Goods Licence, bonded warehouse permit, and GA-FDD food/beverage manufacturing licence
- Authority
- Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD)
- Documents
- TIN registration, business registration/incorporation certificates, premises floor plans, environmental compliance approval (EPA), fire safety approval, equipment specifications
- Fees
- Varies by still capacity, premises classification, and annual excise registration schedules (subject to statutory stamp/excise licensing duties)
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Any registered commercial entity or individual registered for tax and customs in Guyana
- Licences or registrations
- Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), registration as an importer of excisable goods with GRA, registration with GA-FDD as a food/beverage importer
- Authority
- Guyana Revenue Authority (Customs & Excise Department) and Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce
- Documents
- TIN certificate, Certificate of Incorporation/Business Registration, GA-FDD importer permit, commercial invoice, bill of lading, packing list, Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Free Sale/Analysis
- Fees
- Standard commercial customs processing fees; no prohibitive standalone importer license fee
- Time to obtain
- 1 to 3 weeks for tax and importer profile registration
Product and label registration
Required: yes Process: Imported products must undergo pre-import or port-of-entry compliance verification by the GA-FDD and must meet national standards set by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS); importers must…
Import rules
Customs clearance processed via ASYCUDA World; declaration must include commercial invoice, bill of lading, and certificate of origin. Shipments of excisable goods must pay duties prior to customs release unless transferred to a…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
Spirits under HS 2208 (whisky, rum, gin, vodka, liqueurs) attract the CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET), typically 20% to 30% ad valorem based on CIF value, depending on the tariff classification.
Excise and taxes
Excise Tax: GYD 220.00 per litre on distilled spirits (rum, whisky, vodka, gin, brandy, liqueurs, cordials) under the Excise Tax Regulations; Value Added Tax (VAT): 14% levied on total CIF value + Customs Duty + Excise Tax;…
Retail and distribution
Private licensed trade; businesses must obtain an Intoxicating Liquor Licence issued by the District Licensing Board and GRA (licence types include Spirit Shop Licence, Off-Licence, Hotel Licence, Restaurant Liquor Licence, and…
Online sale and delivery
restricted (e-commerce platforms and retail stores may arrange delivery provided alcohol is sourced from an authorized licensed off-licence or spirit shop; strict mandatory verification of legal age (18+) applies to delivery…
Labelling
English language required; brand name, spirit category/designation of identity, alcoholic strength by volume (% ABV), net volume in metric units, country of origin, batch/lot number, name and address of foreign manufacturer, and…
Advertising
Permitted with limits; alcohol advertising and sponsorship are legal across print, broadcast, and digital media, but cannot target minors. Under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act 2022, licensed establishments are…
Legal definitions of spirits
Regulated under Guyana National Bureau of Standards and CARICOM regional standards (CRS 25:2008 for Rum): Rum must be obtained exclusively by distillation of fermented sugarcane molasses/syrup/juice, distilled at less than 96.0%…
Dry or restricted areas
No dry regions nationally; however, under the Amerindian Act 2006, indigenous Village Councils have statutory authority to enact local community rules restricting or banning the sale, supply, and consumption of alcoholic…
Recent changes
Full implementation and strict nationwide enforcement of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act 2022, introducing Section 52A requiring mandatory age checks before entry/service and imposing fines up to GYD 1,000,000…
Opportunities for exporters
Guyana's booming offshore oil sector has spurred massive GDP growth and an influx of international business and hospitality investment, rapidly expanding consumer demand for premium imported whiskies, cognacs, vodkas, and…
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Product and label registration, excise, labelling, advertising, distribution and recent changes, with every source, plus an Excel file of every country. Sign in with your email: no password, no fee.
Sign in to read the full guideSources
- Guyana Revenue Authority - Excise Tax Regulations & Rates
- Guyana Revenue Authority - Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act Cap. 82:21
- Parliament of Guyana - Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act
- International Trade Administration - Guyana Customs Regulations, Tariffs, and Labeling
- Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) - Importer Labelling Guidelines
- WIRSPA - CARICOM Regional Standard for Rum (CRS 25: 2008)
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