Alcohol regulations in Macao

Licences needed

Industrial Licence (Título de Licença Industrial) or Provisional Industrial Licence issued by DSEDT, with DSSCU occupancy/modification approvals and Fire Services Bureau (CB) fire safety permits.

Authority

Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT)

Documents

Application Form A or B, business registration certificate, certificate of no criminal conviction for directors/administrators, factory lease contract or property registry certificate, DSSCU occupancy permit, floor plans, and fire safety installation plans (1:100 scale).

Fees

Nominal administrative/stamp fees; exact statutory licence fee schedule varies by premises scale.

Time to obtain

Several months for full formal licensing; a 6-month provisional factory licence may be granted upon basic building and fire inspection completion.

Who can import

Natural or legal persons established in Macao registered with DSEDT for Controlled External Trade Operations who have met all local tax obligations.

Licences or registrations

Registration for Controlled External Trade Operations with DSEDT, plus an individual Import Licence (Licença de Importação - Form B) per consignment for beverages exceeding 30% ABV.

Authority

Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) - External Trade Division

Documents

Completed Import Licence Form, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading / airway bill, and export declaration/licence reference details.

Fees

Free of charge for the licence application; Consumption Tax must be settled upon clearance.

Time to obtain

Within 2 to 3 working days (licence valid for 30 days).

Required: no Process: Macao does not have a pre-market product approval or brand-label registration regime (no system comparable to US COLA or Indian excise brand registration). Importers must ensure compliant packaging under…

Importer of record must be a Macao-registered company. There is no state import monopoly. Distilled spirits with ABV exceeding 30% require an import licence per shipment and payment of consumption tax to Macao Customs prior to…

0% (Macao is a free port with no general customs tariffs on HS 2208 distilled spirits).

Consumption Tax (Imposto sobre o Consumo, Law No. 4/99/M): Beverages with alcoholic strength by volume >= 30% (except rice wine) are taxed at 10% ad valorem on the CIF Macao value + MOP 20 per litre. There is no VAT or GST in…

Sold through private retailers (supermarkets, convenience stores, specialty bottle shops) and licensed on-premise venues (bars, clubs, restaurants licensed by IAM or MGTO). No state retail monopoly. Under Law No. 6/2023, sales…

restricted; permitted under Law No. 6/2023 provided the remote operator (website, app, postal/delivery service) displays mandatory notices prohibiting sale/provision to minors (<18), implements an effective age verification…

Under Law No. 6/2023 (Art. 9), all packaged alcoholic beverages (>1.2% ABV) sold or supplied in Macao must prominently and visibly show the alcohol content (% ABV) on the largest surface area of the individual package. Under…

Regulated under Advertising Law (Law No. 7/89/M) as amended by Law No. 6/2023: alcohol advertising cannot target or depict minors, and all alcoholic beverage advertisements must include a conspicuous, clear statement stating that…

Macao does not have prescriptive local statutory standards of identity or distinct minimum ABV definitions for whisky, rum, vodka, gin, or brandy. Products generally follow international Codex Alimentarius guidelines and comply…

No geographic dry towns or zones. Restricted premises: sale, supply, and consumption of alcoholic beverages are banned in public and private healthcare facilities, primary and secondary schools, childcare centres, and child/minor…

Implementation and full enforcement of Law No. 6/2023 (Regime on the Prevention and Control of Alcohol Consumption by Minors), setting the legal purchasing and consumption age to 18 and establishing retail demarcation rules.…

Macao's integrated casino resorts, Michelin-starred restaurants, and high-end tourism sector generate steady demand for luxury distilled spirits, especially single malt Scotch whisky and Cognac. With zero customs duties and no…

1. USDA FAS - Import Regulations on Alcoholic Drinks to Hong Kong and Macau
2. DSEDT - Import of Goods Subject to Prior Authorisation / External Trade Procedures
3. Imprensa Oficial da RAEM - Lei n.º 6/2023 (Prevenção e controlo do consumo de bebidas alcoólicas por menores)
4. PwC Macao SAR - Indirect Taxes & Consumption Tax Overview