Alcohol regulations in Mozambique

Licences needed

Industrial Operating License (Alvará Industrial), environmental license/approval, and sanitary operating approval from health authorities

Authority

Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) / Provincial Directorates of Industry and Commerce, in coordination with Ministry of Health (MISAU)

Documents

Commercial registration certificate, tax identification number (NUIT), facility blueprints and architectural plans, environmental impact assessment/license, sanitary inspection report, technical description of production equipment and processes

Fees

Variable statutory administrative and inspection fees depending on investment size and enterprise classification

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Legally incorporated commercial entities and registered trading businesses licensed for import/export activities

Licences or registrations

Importer Card / Commercial License (Cartão de Importador / Alvará Comercial) issued by the National Directorate of Internal Trade, registration on the Single Electronic Window (Janela Única Electrónica - JUE), and prior authorization for alcoholic beverage importation

Authority

Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) and Autoridade Tributária de Moçambique (AT)

Documents

Certificate of commercial registration, tax clearance certificate and NUIT, valid commercial license, bill of lading/airway bill, commercial invoice, packing list, pre-shipment inspection certificate, and certificate of origin

Fees

Standard commercial licensing fee and JUE processing fees (including the TSA trade facilitation surcharge of 2.5%)

Time to obtain

Typically 2 to 4 weeks for initial business registration and licensing

Required: yes Process: Mandatory prior authorization and conformity assessment for imported alcoholic beverages; formal label compliance checks against Mozambican food labelling standards (NM 15) conducted or audited by INNOQ and…

All commercial imports must clear customs through an authorized customs broker via the Single Electronic Window (JUE). Importers must affix mandatory tax/excise control stamps (selos fiscais de controlo) to alcoholic beverages…

20% ad valorem duty applied on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value under HS Chapter 2208.

Specific Consumption Tax (Imposto sobre Consumos Específicos - ICE) on distilled spirits at rates up to 75% ad valorem (or applicable specific tier rates under the ICE schedule), plus 16% Value Added Tax (IVA) calculated on the…

Private licensed distribution through off-premise retailers (supermarkets, grocery stores, bottle stores) and licensed on-premise venues (bars, taverns, restaurants, discotheques). Under Decree No. 31/2025, general off-trade…

Restricted; distance and online sales are permitted provided the operator displays prominent statutory warnings prohibiting sales to individuals under 18 years and verifies buyer legal age prior to supply and at delivery.

Portuguese language is mandatory. Labels must include product commercial name, alcoholic strength by volume (% ABV), net volume in metric units, list of ingredients, manufacturer/importer physical identity and batch traceability…

Regulated under Advertising Code (Decree No. 38/2016) and Decree No. 31/2025. Advertising is strictly prohibited within 500 meters of schools, educational establishments, hospitals, police, and military facilities; prohibited in…

Governed by national standards (including NM 15 and NM 535) and Decree No. 31/2025. Spirits must be produced exclusively from ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin; the use of synthetic or pure industrial ethanol is strictly…

No complete dry jurisdictions or total local prohibition, but public consumption and sales are restricted in designated zones: consumption and sales are prohibited in public parks, gardens, sidewalks, public transport stations,…

Approval and enactment of Decree No. 31/2025 (September 11, 2025), enacting the Regulation on the Control of Production, Commercialization, and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages. Prohibition of synthetic or non-agricultural pure…

The strict ban on cheap informal ethanol blends and packaging under 500 ml creates significant room for legitimate, premium bottled spirits exporters. Growing urban demand in Maputo and tourist hubs provides viable entry points…

1. Mozambique: Regulation on the Control of Production, Commercialization, and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages (Decree No. 31/2025)
2. Government Approves New Regulation on Production, Commercialization and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages
3. Mozambique: Decree Imposes New Restrictions on Alcohol
4. U.S. International Trade Administration: Mozambique Country Commercial Guide - Import Tariffs & Requirements
5. PwC Mozambique Tax Summaries: Corporate - Other Taxes (Excise, Customs, and VAT)
6. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service: Mozambique Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS)