Alcohol regulations in Uruguay

Licences needed

Habilitación Bromatológica de Planta elaboradora/depósito (Intendencia Departamental / RUNAEV), Inscripción en el Registro de Fabricantes de Alcoholes y Bebidas Alcohólicas Destiladas (LATU), and Registro de Contribuyente de IMESI (DGI)

Authority

Laboratorio Tecnológico del Uruguay (LATU) / MIEM, Intendencia Departamental correspondiente, Dirección General Impositiva (DGI)

Documents

Company charter and RUT, departmental sanitary/bromatological facility authorization, technical manager appointment, production process flowcharts, facility layout, environmental and safety permits

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Legally constituted commercial entities registered with the DGI (RUT), Banco de Previsión Social (BPS), and customs (DNA), holding food and beverage importer registration in RUNAEV and LATU

Licences or registrations

Inscripción en el Registro de Importadores de Alcoholes y Bebidas Alcohólicas Destiladas (LATU under Ley 20.073), registration in VUCE (Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior)

Authority

LATU, Dirección Nacional de Aduanas (DNA), Ministerio de Salud Pública (MSP) / RUNAEV

Documents

Company RUT and representation bylaws, apostilled Certificate of Free Sale (CLV) and sanitary authorization of foreign facility, technical dossier, packaging conformity certificate

Fees

Varies by service; LATU product commercialization certification typically costs approx. 20 UR plus laboratory analysis fees

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required: yes Process: Importers and manufacturers must submit each distilled spirit product through LATU's online SIGLA portal (Ley 20.073) to verify compliance with the Reglamento Bromatológico Nacional (Decreto 315/94 as…

Imports must be processed through an authorized customs broker via the VUCE portal. Each consignment is subject to mandatory inspection, document validation, and sampling by LATU before clearance for domestic consumption (Decreto…

20% Common External Tariff (Arancel Externo Común - AEC) on CIF customs value for non-MERCOSUR imports under HS Heading 2208; 0% for originating goods from MERCOSUR member states accompanied by an authentic Certificate of Origin.

Impuesto Específico Interno (IMESI) applies to the first domestic alienation or import of alcoholic beverages (Título 11 Texto Ordenado). Rates for spirits reach up to 80%-85% statutory ceilings, typically assessed on official…

Sold via licensed private retailers (supermarkets, specialty bottle shops, grocery stores, bars, restaurants). Under Ley 19.855 and Decreto 63/020, all commercial distributors and vendors must register with the MSP's Registro de…

Allowed, provided the retailer is registered in the MSP Alcohol Sellers Registry (Ley 19.855). Delivery must adhere to age verification (strictly 18+) and nighttime restrictions prohibiting takeaway sales/deliveries between 24:00…

Must comply with the Reglamento Bromatológico Nacional (Decreto 315/94) and MERCOSUR standards in Spanish (complementary stickers permitted for imports). Mandatory details: product denomination, brand, net quantity, % ABV, lot…

Regulated under Ley 19.855 and Decreto 63/020. Advertising cannot target minors, portray minors, or associate alcohol with physical, social, or sexual success or sports performance. Mandatory health warnings must accompany…

Regulated under Chapter 25 of the Reglamento Bromatológico Nacional (Decreto 315/94) harmonized with MERCOSUR standards: Whisky must be obtained from distilled fermented cereal mash aged in oak casks (minimum 38% ABV); Ron/Rum…

No geographic dry towns or dry municipalities exist in Uruguay. Sales are permanently prohibited inside educational facilities, healthcare institutions, and at football stadiums/sports complexes before and during designated…

Full implementation of Ley 20.073 transferring distilled spirits and potable alcohol regulatory supervision, factory validation, and product registration from ANCAP to LATU (via the SIGLA digital platform). Consolidation and…

Uruguay represents a high-income, high per-capita consumer market with strong demand for premium imported spirits such as Scotch whisky, international gin, and aged rum. Regulatory migration to LATU's unified electronic system…

1. Ley N° 20.073 - Modificación al régimen de fabricación, comercialización, importación y exportación de alcoholes y bebidas alcohólicas
2. LATU - Procedimiento de Registro de Alcoholes y Bebidas Alcohólicas Destiladas
3. Decreto N° 356/024 - Actualización del régimen de liquidación del Impuesto Específico Interno (IMESI) para bebidas
4. Ley N° 19.855 - Prevención del consumo problemático de bebidas alcohólicas y Registro de Vendedores
5. Decreto N° 63/020 - Reglamentación de la Ley 19.855 sobre publicidad, prevención y registro de bebidas alcohólicas
6. Decreto N° 404/021 - Evaluación de la conformidad e importación de alimentos y bebidas (LATU)