Distillers Alcohol regulations in Seychelles
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Seychelles, 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Bottler's Licence / Alcohol Manufacturing Licence
- Authority
- Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA)
- Documents
- Certificate of planning approval, Fire Brigade safety compliance certificate, Public Health / sanitary clearance certificate, proof of premises ownership or lease agreement, business plan showing financial and technical competence, and business/company registration documents.
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Registered corporate entities or individual traders holding a valid wholesale or import licence issued by the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA) and registered with the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC).
- Licences or registrations
- Import/Wholesale Licence from SLA; Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and ASYCUDA World registration with SRC Customs Division.
- Authority
- Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA) and Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) - Customs Division
- Documents
- Commercial invoice, bill of lading or airway bill, packing list, certificate of origin, and import declaration form.
- Fees
- Standard SLA licence fees and customs documentation/processing charges (specific amounts vary).
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
Required: no Process: Seychelles does not operate a mandatory pre-market brand/label approval system like the US TTB COLA; imported products must comply with national standards enforced by the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS)…
Import rules
Imports must be cleared through ASYCUDA World under the Customs Management Act 2011; no state monopoly on commercial alcohol imports; standard import documents (commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
Customs duty (Trades Tax) is levied under the Customs Management (Tariff) Regulations; MFN rates on spirits (HS 2208) generally range from 0% to 30% ad valorem on CIF value (or specific duty where specified by tariff line), with duty-free or preferential rates applicable to origins under COMESA, SADC, or EU-EPA agreements.
Excise and taxes
Governed by the Excise Tax Act 2022 (Act 27 of 2022) and Excise Tax (Rates) Regulations 2023. Distilled spirits incur high specific excise tax rates (e.g., SCR 268.40 per litre for whisky, rum, and high-strength spirits depending…
Retail and distribution
Sold by private licensed retailers holding an off-licence (Liquor Off) or on-premises licences (public bars, hotel bars, restaurants). Retail sale hours for off-licences are strictly regulated under the Licences (Liquor and…
Online sale and delivery
restricted (e-commerce retailers must operate through an existing SLA-licensed retail or off-licence premise; delivery to individuals under 18 or outside statutory retail hours is prohibited).
Labelling
Labels must state the product name/brand, net volume in metric units, percentage of alcohol by volume (% ABV), country of origin, name and address of the producer/bottler/importer, and lot/batch code; text must be in English or…
Advertising
Strictly restricted under the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act 2019 and the Seychelles National Alcohol Policy; alcohol advertising is restricted in public places, near schools, and in broadcast media; alcohol manufacturers are…
Legal definitions of spirits
Administered by the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS) based on CODEX and international spirits standards (minimum ABV typically 40% for commercial whisky, rum, gin, and vodka; specific domestic standard parameters not…
Dry or restricted areas
No territorial dry areas exist; however, retail sales and outdoor drinking are prohibited near educational institutions, places of worship, health centers, and designated public areas.
Recent changes
Full implementation of the modernized excise framework under the Excise Tax Act 2022 (Act 27 of 2022) and the Excise Tax (Rates) Regulations 2023 (SI 110 of 2023), consolidating specific excise rates across spirits. Establishment…
Opportunities for exporters
Strong demand for premium imported spirits and international whisky brands exists, largely sustained by Seychelles' high-end tourism and luxury hospitality sectors. However, exporters should account for substantial per-litre…
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Sign in to read the full guideSources
- Understanding Customs & Import Duties in Seychelles - Expanship
- Understanding Excise Tax in Seychelles - Expanship
- Seychelles Licensing Authority - Liquor Off and Bottler Conditions
- Licences (Liquor and Outdoor Entertainment) Regulations - SLA
- Seychelles National Alcohol Policy - Ministry of Health
- Open Government Partnership - Seychelles Managing Alcohol Consumption Commitment 2023-2025
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