Alcohol regulations in Algeria

Licences needed

Agrément de production d'alcool éthylique et de boissons alcooliques; Déclaration de profession (Article 4, Code des Impôts Indirects)

Authority

Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI), Ministère des Finances

Documents

Trade registry extract (CNRC), Tax Identification Number (NIF), company statutes, identification and powers of legal representatives, technical description of premises and distilling equipment, signed cahier des charges

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

Statutory limit of 15 days from submission of a complete dossier

Who can import

Only corporate commercial entities registered with the CNRC holding an explicit import agrément from tax authorities and allocation within import quota ceilings

Licences needed or registrations

Agrément d'importation d'alcool éthylique / boissons alcoolisées; subscription to the official cahier des charges; import contingent allocation; bank domiciliation

Authority

Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI) and Ministère du Commerce et de la Promotion des Exportations

Documents

Commercial registration (CNRC), NIF, company articles of association, pro forma invoices, annual import quota application, compliance statement with technical specifications

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

Statutory decision within 15 days upon complete dossier filing

Required

yes

Process

Border compliance verification, laboratory analytical testing, and fraud prevention clearance (Visa Fraude) prior to customs clearance

Authority

Ministère du Commerce (Direction Générale du Contrôle Économique et de la Répression des Fraudes) and Direction Générale des Douanes

Documents and samples

Certificate of Analysis, Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Conformity, commercial invoice, product samples taken by border inspectors upon arrival

Fees

not confirmed

Renewal

Per import shipment

Time to obtain

Several days to several weeks depending on customs and lab testing

Commercial imports require bank domiciliation, a Certificate of Origin, and a Certificate of Conformity. Commercial shipments of ethyl alcohol and spirits are regulated under an annual quota (contingent) system and ministerial authorization. Shipments must obtain a 'Visa Fraude' stamp from Ministry of Commerce inspectors prior to customs release. Inland transport of bulk alcohol requires accompanying fiscal circulation documentation (titre de mouvement / acquit-à-caution) under the Code des Impôts Indirects. Duty-free passenger allowance is strictly capped at 1 liter of spirits (>22% ABV).

30% ad valorem assessed on CIF value (standard customs duty for HS 2208); subject additionally to safeguard duty (DAPS) of 30% to 60% where applicable.

Circulation duty (Droit de circulation sur les alcools, Art. 47 Code des Impôts Indirects) assessed per hectolitre of pure alcohol; standard Value Added Tax (TVA) of 19% assessed on CIF + customs duties + excise.

Heavily restricted; restricted to licensed venues including classified hotels, specialized licensed restaurants, and dedicated off-premise alcohol shops. Retail and on-premise licenses are subject to approval by local governors (Walis). Complete nationwide suspension of sales and service during Ramadan. Public consumption and carrying open alcohol containers in public spaces are strictly prohibited.

banned; Law No. 18-05 of 10 May 2018 on Electronic Commerce (Article 3) explicitly prohibits the sale and marketing of alcoholic beverages via electronic transactions and online channels.

Governed by Executive Decree No. 13-378 of 9 November 2013 on consumer information. Labeling must be in Arabic (additional languages optional). Mandatory information includes exact product name, net volume, country of origin, lot/batch number, full name and address of producer/packer/importer, and actual alcoholic strength by volume ('titre alcoométrique volumique acquis' for beverages over 1.2% ABV).

Banned; advertising and promotion of alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited across television, radio, print, and public billboard displays, as well as sports and cultural event sponsorships.

not confirmed

Numerous conservative and interior wilayas and communes do not permit or renew alcohol trade licenses, creating de facto dry zones; alcohol sales are legally barred near mosques, educational institutions, hospitals, and cemeteries.

• Arrêté of January 14, 2026 (Ministry of Finance, published in Journal Officiel No. 50 in July 2026) updated requirements for ethyl alcohol production, import, and sale, instituting an annual import quota system and establishing a 15-day statutory approval processing period.
• Finance Act 2023 revised and increased the rates for the droit de circulation on alcohols and wines (Articles 47 and 176, Code des Impôts Indirects) while removing the previous 5% additional tax surcharge.

Opportunities are strictly confined to niche, high-value spirits aimed at international hotel chains and diplomatic hospitality, facing high customs duties, safeguard taxes, and strict import quota controls.

• Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI)
• Direction Générale des Douanes (DGD)
• Ministère du Commerce et de la Promotion des Exportations

1. Direction Générale des Douanes Algériennes - Alcools et Réglementation
2. Journal Officiel de la République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire (JORADP)
3. Algerie Eco - Production et importation d'alcool éthylique: le ministère des Finances fixe de nouvelles règles (Arrêté 14 Janvier 2026)
4. Legal Doctrine - Réglementation du commerce électronique en Algérie (Loi 18-05)
5. International Trade Administration - Algeria Import Tariffs and Regulations