Distillers Alcohol regulations in Monaco
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Monaco, 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Legal purchase age
- 18
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Business authorization (autorisation d'exercice) for manufacturing/distilling; sanitary authorization (agrément sanitaire); tax warehouse/distillery declaration for spirits production and still operation
- Authority
- Direction du Développement Économique (business permit); Direction de l'Action Sanitaire (food safety); Direction des Services Fiscaux / French Customs (DGDDI) (excise and customs control)
- Documents
- Detailed business plan, proof of business premises in Monaco, criminal record extracts for directors, technical production specifications, sanitary plan (Plan de Maîtrise Sanitaire / HACCP), still specifications and capacity details
- Fees
- Variable administrative and registration stamp duties; not confirmed for fixed distillery-specific fee schedule
- Time to obtain
- Typically 2 to 4 months for commercial and sanitary approvals
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Registered legal entities established in Monaco (e.g., SAM, SARL) with commercial authorization to trade alcoholic beverages
- Licences or registrations
- Trade registry listing (Registre du Commerce et de l'Industrie - RCI), an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number registered via customs, and excise authorization (registered consignee or tax warehousekeeper status) for movement under duty suspension via EMCS
- Authority
- Direction du Développement Économique and Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (French Customs, which administers the Franco-Monegasque customs union)
- Documents
- RCI extract, corporate statutes, lease contract, tax registration, customs representative mandate (if using a customs broker), commercial invoices, and transport documents
- Fees
- No specific tariff for EORI allocation; general corporate incorporation and registration fees apply
- Time to obtain
- A few days to 2 weeks for customs/EORI activation once the local company is incorporated
Product and label registration
Required: no Process: No mandatory pre-market product or label registration/approval system (such as US COLA) exists. Spirits must comply with EU spirit standards and food safety regulations, subject to post-market monitoring and…
Import rules
Monaco forms a customs union with France (Franco-Monegasque Customs Convention of May 18, 1963) and is part of the EU customs territory. Goods imported from non-EU countries undergo clearance under EU customs procedures with…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
0% for distilled spirits (HS heading 2208) under the EU Common Customs Tariff (TARIC) Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) rate.
Excise and taxes
Under Arrêté Ministériel n° 2026-48 of January 29, 2026: Spirits excise duty (droit de consommation) is €1,932.42 per hectolitre of pure alcohol (€19.3242/litre pure alcohol); traditional overseas rum is €966.75 per hectolitre of…
Retail and distribution
Sold via licensed private businesses, including specialty bottle shops (cavistes), grocery stores, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and bars. There is no state retail monopoly. On-premise service is subject to hospitality…
Online sale and delivery
Allowed for licensed commercial retailers. The retailer must ensure age verification so that delivery and sale are not made to individuals under 18 years of age.
Labelling
Must comply with EU Spirit Drinks Regulation (EU) 2019/787 and food information rules: sales denomination, net volume, alcoholic strength (% vol), producer/bottler/importer details, lot number, and allergenic ingredients. Labels…
Advertising
Monaco maintains sovereign jurisdiction, meaning the French Loi Évin does not apply domestically by direct extension; however, general consumer protection regulations prohibit deceptive advertising, protect minors, and regulate…
Legal definitions of spirits
Aligned with EU Regulation (EU) 2019/787: minimum ABV for whisky (40%), rum (37.5%), vodka (37.5%), gin (37.5%), London gin (37.5%), brandy/eau-de-vie (36%), and pastis (40%).
Dry or restricted areas
None
Recent changes
Arrêté Ministériel n° 2026-48 (January 29, 2026; published February 6, 2026) updated Monegasque excise duty rates for 2026, setting spirits excise to €1,932.42/hl of pure alcohol and the social security levy on spirits to…
Opportunities for exporters
Monaco's affluent demographic, luxury hospitality, premier nightlife, and superyacht sectors create an exceptionally high-value niche market for super-premium, ultra-premium, and craft spirits. Because Monaco shares a customs…
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- Arrêté Ministériel n° 2026-48 du 29 janvier 2026 fixant les tarifs des droits d'accises sur les alcools (Journal de Monaco)
- Arrêté ministériel n° 2024-17 du 12 janvier 2024 (LégiMonaco)
- Sovereign Ordinance no. 2.666 of 14 August 1942 amending and codifying economic and tax measures concerning drinks and liquids
- Franco-Monegasque Customs Convention of 18 May 1963 (Ordonnance Souveraine n° 3.087)
- Monaco Alcohol and Business Regulations Overview (Monaco Pratique)
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