Distillers Alcohol regulations in Papua New Guinea
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Papua New Guinea, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched August 2025.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in August 2025 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- 18
- Legal purchase age
- 18
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Distiller's Licence / Excise Manufacturer's Licence and provincial liquor manufacturing permit
- Authority
- PNG Customs Service and Provincial Liquor Licensing Boards
- Documents
- not confirmed
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Businesses legally registered with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) and the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC)
- Licences or registrations
- IRC Tax Identification Number (TIN), Customs Importer Code / Customs clearance registration, and provincial liquor dealer/wholesale licence where applicable
- Authority
- PNG Customs Service, Internal Revenue Commission (IRC), Provincial Liquor Licensing Boards
- Documents
- Commercial invoice, bill of lading/air waybill, packing list, Customs Single Administrative Document (import declaration)
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
Required: no Process: No specific pre-market brand or label registration system (such as US COLA) exists for imported distilled spirits; products clear customs subject to standard documentation and compliance with general food…
Import rules
Commercial imports must be cleared by a registered importer or licensed customs broker; no state import monopoly exists; shipments require standard shipping documents and invoices; physical strip stamps/excise banderols are not…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
Spirits under HS 2208 generally enter at 0% (Free) customs duty under the Customs Tariff Act, as alcohol taxation is primarily captured via specific excise duties and GST at the border.
Excise and taxes
Excise duty is levied under the Excise Tariff Act: under the Excise Tariff (2025 Budget)(Amendment) Act 2024, rates on HS 2208 spirits (ABV up to 50%) range from K254.84 to K273.41 per litre of alcohol (or specific rates up to…
Retail and distribution
Private licensed vendors (hotels, clubs, taverns, restaurants, bottle shops, and licensed supermarkets); regulated provincially by Provincial Liquor Licensing Boards and the NCDC in Port Moresby; takeaway bottle sales are…
Online sale and delivery
not confirmed
Labelling
Labels must be in English and specify product name, country of origin, net volume in metric units, alcohol strength by volume (% ABV), and manufacturer or importer details; mandatory graphic health warnings are not specifically…
Advertising
Substantially restricted under the Liquor (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1973; public advertising intended or likely to promote the sale or consumption of alcohol is prohibited in public places, except on licensed premises or…
Legal definitions of spirits
not confirmed
Dry or restricted areas
Provincial administrations and local-level governments routinely enact temporary or ongoing liquor bans (notably in Highlands provinces such as Southern Highlands, Hela, and Enga); targeted neighborhood bans and sales…
Recent changes
Enactment of the Excise Tariff (2025 Budget)(Amendment) Act 2024 (certified December 2024), which updated specific excise rates for spirits under HS 2208 and suspended the standard 2.5% bi-annual excise indexation on alcohol for…
Opportunities for exporters
Opportunities exist for premium international spirits in urban hotels, clubs, and modern retail in Port Moresby and Lae. However, high specific excise duties and recurrent provincial liquor bans necessitate partnerships with…
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Sign in to read the full guideSources
- Excise Tariff (2025 Budget)(Amendment) Act 2024 - Department of Treasury PNG
- NCDC Liquor Licensing Committee Bans Alcohol in High-Risk Areas - NBC PNG (August 2025)
- Kipit Clarifies Alcohol Advertising under Liquor (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1973 - The National
- National Capital District Commission - Trade & Liquor Licensing
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