Distillers Alcohol regulations in Réunion
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Réunion, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched January 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in January 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Prefectural authorization to purchase and possess a distillation still (autorisation de détention d'alambic), DGDDI Authorized Warehousekeeper approval (statut d'entrepositaire agréé), and business registration (SIRET).
- Authority
- Direction Régionale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (DGDDI) de La Réunion and Préfecture de La Réunion
- Documents
- Company registration (Kbis/SIRET), technical facility blueprints and equipment specifications, still serial numbers and declaration, financial bond/guarantee (cautionnement fiscal), and material accounting procedures (comptabilité matières).
- Fees
- No administrative application fee; financial surety/bond coverage required based on projected excise liability.
- Time to obtain
- Typically 1 to 3 months for site verification and customs security setup (not confirmed officially).
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Any business registered in France or the EU possessing a valid EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number.
- Licences or registrations
- EORI number; Registered Consignee (destinataire enregistré) or Authorized Warehousekeeper (entrepositaire agréé) status for movements under excise duty suspension via EMCS.
- Authority
- Direction Régionale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (DGDDI) de La Réunion
- Documents
- Single Administrative Document (DAU/DELTA customs entry), commercial invoice, bill of lading/airway bill, packing list, electronic Administrative Document (e-AD) if under duty suspension, and certificates of origin/analysis where applicable.
- Fees
- EORI issuance is free; standard customs brokerage and handling charges apply.
- Time to obtain
- EORI issuance takes 1–3 business days; customs clearance per consignment typically takes 1 to 3 days.
Product and label registration
Required: no Process: No pre-market product or label registration is mandated. Importers and producers are responsible for compliance with EU and French regulations (Regulations (EU) 2019/787 and 1169/2011; Code de la…
Import rules
Commercial imports must be handled by an EU-registered importer of record with an EORI number; there is no state alcohol import monopoly. Movements under excise duty suspension from the EU require the Excise Movement and Control…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
EU Common Customs Tariff (TARIC) applies to imports originating outside the EU (generally 0% customs duty for most distilled spirits under HS 2208 such as whisky, rum, vodka, gin). EU-origin goods enter free of customs duty.
Excise and taxes
Spirits are subject to: 1) French alcohol excise duty (CIBS): €1,932.42/hlpa for standard spirits (€966.75/hlpa for qualifying DOM traditional rums, 2026 rates); 2) Social Security Contribution (CSS): €620.47/hlpa on spirits >…
Retail and distribution
Spirits are retailed through private channels (supermarkets, grocery stores, specialized spirits merchants, licensed restaurants, and bars). On-premises sale of spirits requires a Licence IV (Grande licence) or 'Licence…
Online sale and delivery
Allowed with restrictions. E-commerce sellers must hold an off-premises liquor licence ('licence à emporter') and complete the required training (Permis d'exploitation). Under local prefectural decree, home delivery of alcoholic…
Labelling
Mandatory requirements under EU Regulation 2019/787 and EU Regulation 1169/2011: sales denomination, net quantity (metric), alcoholic strength (% ABV), lot number, producer/importer details, list of ingredients, nutrition…
Advertising
Strictly restricted under the French Loi Évin (Articles L. 3323-2 to L. 3323-5, Code de la santé publique). Direct advertising is limited to print media for adults, designated radio slots, adult-oriented digital communications,…
Legal definitions of spirits
Directly regulated by Regulation (EU) 2019/787: minimum ABV thresholds include 37.5% for rum, 40.0% for whisky, 37.5% for vodka, 37.5% for gin, 36.0% for brandy, and 37.5% for fruit spirits. Local cane spirit also adheres to the…
Dry or restricted areas
No entirely dry municipalities exist. However, protected perimeter zones (périmètres de protection) enforced by the Code de la santé publique and prefectural orders prohibit establishing new on-premises drinking establishments…
Recent changes
France implemented annual indexation adjustments for alcohol excise duties under the Code des impositions sur les biens et services (CIBS), updating the spirits excise rate to €1,899.18/hlpa in 2025 and €1,932.42/hlpa in 2026,…
Opportunities for exporters
While traditional local rum holds a dominant market share and tax advantage, there is sustained demand for imported premium spirits including Scotch whiskies, craft gins, and fine cognacs. Exporters must account for significant…
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