Distillers Alcohol regulations in Micronesia, Federated States of
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Micronesia, Federated States of, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched October 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in October 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Dry areas exist
- Legal drinking age
- Varies by state: 21 in Pohnpei (Pohnpei Code Title 66 § 2-109) and Yap (Yap State Code Title 30 § 405); effectively 21 in Kosrae (Kosrae State Code § 12.1403 / § 13.517 requiring a permit issued only at age 21, though minor is defined at 18); 18 in Chuuk (CSL No. 2-94-08 amending CSL No. 6-66 § 308).
- Legal purchase age
- Varies by state: 21 in Pohnpei, Yap, and Kosrae; 18 in Chuuk.
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- State Alcoholic Beverage Control Manufacturer/Distiller License, plus State Foreign Investment Permit (if foreign-owned) and municipal business permit
- Authority
- Respective State ABC Boards and State Departments of Commerce/Resources & Development
- Documents
- not confirmed
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Licensed commercial businesses with state ABC import permissions and valid business licenses; individuals may import up to 52 fluid ounces (1,500 ml) of spirits duty-free for personal consumption
- Licences or registrations
- State Alcoholic Beverage Control Import License / state wholesale business license and national importer tax registration
- Authority
- FSM Customs and Tax Administration (National Department of Finance and Administration) and State ABC Boards
- Documents
- Commercial invoice, bill of lading/air waybill, customs import entry form, and state import clearance/license
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
Required: no Process: No national product brand registration or label pre-approval process (such as US COLA or central excise formula registration) is mandated; standard commercial import documentation and clearing through FSM…
Import rules
All imported spirits must be declared upon arrival at official ports of entry with FSM Customs. Goods cannot be imported into states or municipalities where alcohol is legally prohibited (such as dry municipalities in Chuuk). No…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
$12.00 per gallon on distilled alcoholic beverages under 54 FSMC § 221(6) (Public Law No. 13-60).
Excise and taxes
National specific import duty of $12.00 per gallon on distilled spirits. States levy their own local sales and excise taxes (ranging between 1% and 5%, or specific municipal fees). There is no national VAT/GST.
Retail and distribution
Private licensed retailers, package stores, bars, restaurants, and hotels licensed by state ABC Boards. No state retail monopoly. In Kosrae, retail sale and consumption are prohibited on Sundays; in Chuuk, commercial sales are…
Online sale and delivery
not confirmed
Labelling
No separate national spirits labeling regulations exist; standard commercial packaging in English stating the product description, brand name, net volume, alcohol by volume (% ABV), country of origin, and manufacturer details is…
Advertising
State-level restrictions apply; Pohnpei State prohibits commercial advertising of alcoholic beverages in any medium; national public health policies restrict alcohol sponsorship and promotion.
Legal definitions of spirits
not confirmed
Dry or restricted areas
Extensive local prohibition exists. Under municipal local-option laws in Chuuk State, most municipalities—including the state capital and commercial center of Weno—are legally dry. Kosrae State bans selling and drinking alcohol…
Recent changes
Congressional Bill No. 24-26 introduced before the FSM Congress proposed restructuring national import duties across Title 54 FSMC § 221, replacing flat rates with a volumetric strength-based duty of $0.005 per fluid ounce per…
Opportunities for exporters
The FSM is entirely dependent on imported distilled spirits, with steady niche demand from the hospitality and expatriate sectors in Pohnpei and parts of Yap. Exporters should partner with established general trading distributors…
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- FSM Code Title 54 Chapter 2 Subchapter II: Import Duties (§ 221 Levy and Rates)
- FSM Department of Finance and Administration - Public Law 13-60 Import Tax Changes
- Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia - Congressional Bill No. 24-26
- Chuuk State Code Title 3 Subchapter B: Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (§ 1011-1048)
- Code of the State of Pohnpei Title 66: Regulated Substances (Alcoholic Beverages)
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