Alcohol regulations in Latvia

Licences needed

Special permit (license) for an approved excise warehousekeeper (akcīzes preču noliktavas turētājs) and food establishment registration/approval from PVD.

Authority

State Revenue Service (VID) and Food and Veterinary Service (PVD)

Documents

Application via VID EDS system, commercial register registration, proof of premise rights (ownership/lease), floor plan and technological flowcharts, list and metrological certification of distillation/storage equipment and measurement devices, security/HACCP compliance documentation, and financial security (excise tax guarantee).

Fees

State duty EUR 711 for the excise warehousekeeper license for alcoholic beverages, plus required bank guarantee/deposit for excise duty.

Time to obtain

Approximately 30 to 60 days (1 to 2 months).

Who can import

Legal entities registered in the Latvian Commercial Register with an active EORI number holding a VID special permit (excise warehousekeeper, registered consignee, or wholesale license).

Licences or registrations

EORI number, special permit (license) for excise goods operations (approved excise warehousekeeper or registered consignee for duty-suspension; wholesale license for duty-paid goods), and registration in EMCS / customs systems.

Authority

State Revenue Service (VID) Customs Board and Excise Board

Documents

Company registration documents, EORI registration, VID licence application, customs declarations (SAD), commercial invoices, transport documentation (CMR/bill of lading), financial security/bond.

Fees

EUR 711 for tax warehousekeeper or registered consignee license; EUR 143 for wholesale license per site; EORI registration is free.

Time to obtain

1 to 2 months.

Required: no Process: Latvia does not operate a pre-market brand/label registration or approval procedure for distilled spirits (unlike US TTB COLA). Products must comply with EU spirits definitions and food labelling rules under…

Imports from outside the EU require an EU-established Importer of Record, filing a Single Administrative Document (SAD), customs clearance, and adherence to EU standards. Movement under duty suspension requires EMCS (electronic…

0% (Free) for most distilled spirits under HS heading 2208 (whisky, vodka, gin, rum, brandy, liqueurs) under the EU Common Customs Tariff for MFN third countries.

Excise duty on spirits (classified under 'other alcoholic beverages') is EUR 2,084 per 100 litres of absolute alcohol (effective from 1 March 2026; set to rise to EUR 2,178 on 1 March 2027 and EUR 2,276 on 1 March 2028). Standard…

Sold by private licensed supermarkets, liquor stores, and hospitality venues (no state retail monopoly). Effective 1 August 2025, off-premise retail sales hours are restricted to 10:00–20:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:00–18:00 on…

allowed with conditions: Distance selling and home delivery of alcohol are permitted for licensed businesses, provided rigorous age verification (18+) is conducted both at purchase and at delivery. Deliveries may only be…

Must comply with EU Regulation 1169/2011 and EU Regulation 2019/787: sales denomination, net quantity, ABV (% vol), lot number ('L'), name and address of EU producer/importer, and allergen declarations in the Latvian language. A…

Severely restricted: Advertising spirits on radio and television is prohibited. As of August 2025, marketing and advertising of prices, sales promotions, '2-for-1' deals, and loyalty scheme discounts on alcoholic beverages are…

Directly governed by EU Regulation (EU) 2019/787: Whisky/Whiskey (minimum 40% ABV, distilled from mash of cereals, matured at least 3 years in wooden casks); Vodka (minimum 37.5% ABV, produced from agricultural ethyl alcohol);…

No dry jurisdictions or completely alcohol-free municipalities exist. Commercial sales are prohibited in educational, childcare, healthcare, and social care institutions, military and penitentiary grounds, at sports events with…

On 9 January 2025, the Saeima passed comprehensive amendments to the Handling of Alcoholic Beverages Law, taking effect 1 August 2025, which reduced retail sales hours to 10:00–20:00 (Mon–Sat) and 10:00–18:00 (Sun). Introduced a…

Latvia offers a stable, liberal EU import market with strong consumer interest in imported whiskies, rum, gin, and premium spirits. Exporters benefit from zero tariffs under the EU common customs regime, though market entrants…

1. State Revenue Service of Latvia (VID) - Excise Duty Rates and Regulations
2. Latvian Public Broadcasting (LSM) - Saeima adopts alcohol restrictions
3. Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network - Latvia Tightens Retail Alcohol Sales
4. Baltic News Network - Excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages increase in Latvia
5. US TTB - International Alcohol Beverage Trade: Latvia Requirements