Distillers Alcohol regulations in Panama
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Panama, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched August 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in August 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Aviso de Operación (commercial registration), DGI alcoholic beverage producer registration, MINSA plant sanitary operating permit (Permiso Sanitario de Operación), and sanitary registration for each produced beverage.
- Authority
- Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI), General Directorate of Revenue (DGI), and Ministry of Health (MINSA - Dirección Nacional de Control de Alimentos y Vigilancia Veterinaria / DNCAVV).
- Documents
- Company incorporation deed (Registro Público), RUC (tax ID), plant location and municipal zoning approval, sanitary and hygiene protocols, and product formulas/labels for product registration.
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Panamanian-registered legal entities or individuals holding a valid commercial notice of operation (Aviso de Operación), RUC tax number, and importer registration with the Panamanian Food Agency (APA), National Customs Authority (ANA), and DGI.
- Licences or registrations
- Aviso de Operación (MICI), Importer registration with APA (Agencia Panameña de Alimentos), and registration with DGI Department of Alcoholic Beverages and Liquors.
- Authority
- Agencia Panameña de Alimentos (APA), Ministry of Health (MINSA), General Directorate of Revenue (DGI), and Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas (ANA).
- Documents
- Aviso de Operación, RUC, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, sanitary registration of the product, Certificate of Free Sale, and 48-hour advance import notification.
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
Required: yes Process: Every alcoholic beverage intended for retail sale must obtain a Sanitary Registration (Registro Sanitario) prior to importation or commercialization via the digital platform managed by health and food…
Import rules
There is no state monopoly on imports. Commercial shipments must be cleared by a licensed Panamanian customs broker (Corredor de Aduanas). Importers must file an electronic import notification at least 48 hours prior to arrival.…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
Assessed ad valorem on the CIF value. Standard MFN customs duty (DAI) on spirits (HS 2208) is generally 15% (with up to 0–40% across tariff lines depending on classification), while qualifying spirits from FTA partners such as the United States enter duty-free (0%).
Excise and taxes
1) Excise Tax (Impuesto Selectivo al Consumo - ISC): Under Law 45 of 1995 as amended by Law 438 of June 14, 2024, spirits and alcoholic beverages are taxed at a specific rate of B/. 0.065 (USD 0.065) per degree of alcohol content…
Retail and distribution
Private sector system (no state retail monopoly). Under Law 55 of 1973 and municipal decrees, retail liquor licenses are issued by the local Mayor's Office (Alcaldía) via a favorable prior report (Informe Previo Favorable)…
Online sale and delivery
Allowed, provided the seller operates from a physical commercial location holding a valid municipal liquor license, Aviso de Operación, and health permits, and verifies the buyer is at least 18 years old.
Labelling
Regulated by Law 45 of 2007 (ACODECO), MINSA food regulations, and Codex Alimentarius standards. Labels must state product name, manufacturer/distributor name and address, country of origin, net contents (metric), alcohol by…
Advertising
Allowed with restrictions regarding protection of minors, truthfulness (Law 45 of 2007), and health warnings; exact broadcast time-watershed and sponsorship parameters are not confirmed in the retrieved sources.
Legal definitions of spirits
Set by the General Directorate of Standards and Industrial Technology (DGNTI-COPANIT) under MICI and Law 45 of 1995. For Rum (Norma Técnica DGNTI-COPANIT 28-2001 and Article 14 of Law 45 of 1995), it must be produced exclusively…
Dry or restricted areas
No permanently dry provinces exist, but Municipalities enforce zoning distance restrictions around schools, churches, and hospitals under Law 55 of 1973, and nationwide temporary dry laws ('Ley Seca') prohibit sales and public…
Recent changes
Law 438 of June 14, 2024 increased the Excise Tax (Impuesto Selectivo al Consumo - ISC) on alcoholic beverages by 44%, raising the rate from B/. 0.045 to B/. 0.065 per degree of alcohol per liter to fund permanent pensioner…
Opportunities for exporters
Panama offers strong opportunities for spirits exporters due to its dollarized economy, major tourism and hospitality sector, duty-free re-export hub in the Colón Free Zone, and 0% tariff access for U.S. and other FTA-partner…
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