Distillers Alcohol regulations in Singapore
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Singapore, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched October 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in October 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Dry areas exist
- Legal drinking age
- 18
- Legal purchase age
- 18
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Excise Factory Scheme (EFS) Licence; SFA Food Processing Establishment Licence
- Authority
- Singapore Customs and Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
- Documents
- ACRA business registration (BizFile), TradeFIRST self-assessment checklist and operational docs, audited financial statements for the past 3 years, premises floor plan/layout, physical security layout, banker's guarantee or insurance bond
- Fees
- Customs EFS licence fee varies by manufacturing activity and TradeFIRST tier; plus SFA food establishment licensing fees
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Singapore-registered business entities registered with ACRA holding an activated Customs Account and SFA registration
- Licences or registrations
- Singapore Customs Account activation (UEN-linked); SFA Registration/Licence for Import of Processed Food Products
- Authority
- Singapore Customs and Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
- Documents
- ACRA registration/UEN, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/air waybill, Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Age (for whisky and brandy)
- Fees
- TradeNet declaration permit fees (standard S$2.88 government fee per permit plus declaring agent service charges); SFA food registration fees
- Time to obtain
- Customs Account activation and SFA registration: 1 to 3 working days; individual TradeNet import permits: minutes to a few hours
Product and label registration
Required: no Process: Singapore does not operate a pre-market brand or label registration approval regime (no COLA equivalent). Importers and manufacturers are legally required to self-assess compliance with the Sale of Food Act…
Import rules
No state import monopoly; private commercial import is permitted. Every consignment requires an electronic In-Payment or Inward Permit declared via TradeNet prior to arrival. Dutiable spirits may be stored with duties and GST…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
Nil (0% customs duty on distilled spirits under HS Heading 2208; customs duties apply only to beer, stout, and samsu)
Excise and taxes
Excise Duty: S$88.00 per litre of pure alcohol (LPA) on all spirits under HS 2208 (duties payable = Total litres x S$88.00 x ABV %). GST: 9% (applicable on CIF value + excise duty).
Retail and distribution
Private retail and on-premise venues. Retailers and bars must obtain a Liquor Licence from the Singapore Police Force (Liquor Licensing Board). Retail takeaway sale of alcohol from shops and supermarkets is strictly restricted to…
Online sale and delivery
Allowed; restricted. Online sellers must hold a valid Class 4 or relevant liquor licence from the Singapore Police Force. Since January 2024, regulations mandate that online platforms verify customer age (18+) and display…
Labelling
Mandatory in English under SFA Food Regulations: specific product name/description, ingredient list, net volume in metric units, name and business address of the local importer/distributor or manufacturer, country of origin, and…
Advertising
Permitted subject to self-regulatory and broadcast standards. Governed by Appendix K of the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice (administered by ASAS) and the IMDA Television and Radio Advertising and Sponsorship Code (revised…
Legal definitions of spirits
Defined under Singapore Food Regulations (Regulations 201-209): Whisky must be distilled from a fermented mash of cereal grains and matured in wood for at least 3 years. Brandy must be distilled from fermented grape juice and…
Dry or restricted areas
Public consumption of alcohol is prohibited island-wide between 22:30 and 07:00 daily in all public places (parks, public housing void decks, streets). Stricter rules apply in designated Liquor Control Zones (Little India and…
Recent changes
Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate increased from 8% to 9% effective 1 January 2024, applicable to all alcohol imports and domestic transactions. Enhanced online sales rules took effect 2 January 2024 under the Liquor Control…
Opportunities for exporters
Singapore serves as a premier Southeast Asian trade hub with zero customs duties on spirits and no cumbersome pre-market label approval process. Demand remains robust for premium and super-premium spirits, particularly aged…
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- Singapore Customs - Duties and Taxes on Dutiable Goods
- Singapore Customs - Excise Factory Scheme (EFS)
- Singapore Customs - Licensed Warehouse Scheme
- Singapore Statutes Online - Food Regulations
- Singapore Statutes Online - Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015
- Singapore Police Force / GoBusiness - Liquor Licensing Regulations and E-commerce Requirements
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