Distillers Alcohol regulations in Togo
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Togo, 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- Legal
- Legal drinking age
- Not confirmed
- Legal purchase age
- Not confirmed
Free guide: the import licence, import duty and manufacturing licence sections are open to all. Sign in free to read the other 11 sections for Togo in full.
Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Industrial establishment authorization (Autorisation d'implantation et d'exploitation) and tax/excise registration
- Authority
- Ministère du Commerce, de l'Industrie et de la Consommation Locale and Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR)
- Documents
- not confirmed
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Legally registered businesses with a valid Trade Register entry (RCCM) and a Tax Identification Number (NIF)
- Licences or registrations
- Commercial importer registration; pre-declaration or import authorization for sensitive and regulated goods via the Togo Trade Portal / Single Window (GUCE)
- Authority
- Ministère du Commerce, de l'Industrie et de la Consommation Locale & Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR)
- Documents
- Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading / air waybill, certificate of origin, phytosanitary / sanitary certificate or certificate of analysis, and electronic cargo tracking note (BESC)
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
Required: not confirmed Process: not confirmed Authority: Agence Togolaise de Normalisation (ATN) / Haute Autorité de la Qualité et de l'Environnement (HAUQE) Documents and samples: not confirmed Fees: not confirmed Renewal: not…
Import rules
Imports do not operate under a state monopoly. Commercial shipments require an Importer of Record registered with OTR, customs clearance through the Guichet Unique pour le Commerce Extérieur (GUCE), Electronic Cargo Tracking Note…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
Spirits under HS 2208 are assessed under the WAEMU/ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) at 20% (consumer goods category) or 35% (special/luxury goods band), plus a 1% Statistical Fee (Redevance Statistique) and regional community integration levies (~1.5% combined UEMOA/ECOWAS levies) on CIF value.
Excise and taxes
Excise duty (droit d'accise) of 50% ad valorem on alcoholic beverages under the Code Général des Impôts; standard Value Added Tax (VAT / TVA) of 18% calculated on the CIF customs value plus customs duties, excise tax, and…
Retail and distribution
Private retail system. Spirits and other alcoholic beverages are sold across private retail outlets including supermarkets, grocery shops, off-licence vendors, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, and informal bars (maquis). No…
Online sale and delivery
not confirmed
Labelling
Labels must be in French (or provide French translation) and display brand name, product nature/designation, net volume in metric units, alcohol by volume (% ABV), country of origin, lot/batch number, and manufacturer/bottler…
Advertising
Advertising and sponsorship by beverage alcohol producers are permitted with few statutory restrictions; no comprehensive ban exists across broadcast media, print, or outdoor billboards, though general advertising codes prohibit…
Legal definitions of spirits
not confirmed
Dry or restricted areas
No nationwide dry jurisdictions. Local administrative authorities may impose specific municipal curfews or trade bans (e.g., Kozah 1 municipality enacted a prohibition on the night sale of strong spirits and sodabi between 20:00…
Recent changes
Deployment and expansion of the Togo Trade Portal (Portail du Commerce du Togo) to provide centralized digital tracking of licensing, certificates of origin, and import requirements. Strict enforcement by the Togolese Revenue…
Opportunities for exporters
Urban commercial growth and an expanding hospitality sector in Lomé create sustained demand for mid-range and premium imported spirits, notably whisky, cognac, vodka, and gin. Furthermore, Lomé's deep-water port infrastructure…
Read the full guide for Togo, free
Product and label registration, excise, labelling, advertising, distribution and recent changes, with every source, plus an Excel file of every country. Sign in with your email: no password, no fee.
Sign in to read the full guideSources
Selling into Togo or buying from it?