Alcohol regulations in Namibia

Licences needed

Distillery Licence (Liquor Act 6 of 1998) and Customs & Excise Manufacturing Warehouse Licence (Customs and Excise Act 1998).

Authority

Regional Liquor Licensing Committee (Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade / Ministry of Justice) and NamRA (Customs and Excise).

Documents

Prescribed application forms, company registration documents (BIPA), business fitness/health certificate from the local authority, building and zoning plans, public notice advertisement/proof of publication, NamRA Tax Good Standing Certificate, and excise bond/security guarantee.

Fees

Prescribed statutory application and annual renewal fees under the Liquor Regulations; NamRA excise warehouse licensing fee.

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Legally incorporated corporate entities or registered traders holding a valid NamRA Customs Client Code and an appropriate liquor licence (such as a wholesale or bottle store licence).

Licences or registrations

NamRA Customs Client Code (Importer/Exporter registration in ASYCUDA), Wholesale Liquor Licence (under the Liquor Act 1998), and an Import Permit from the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) where applicable.

Authority

Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT).

Documents

BIPA certificate of incorporation/founding statement, valid NamRA Tax Good Standing Certificate, certified IDs/passports of directors, completed MIT import application form specifying 6-digit HS code, description, quantity, value (N$), country of origin, and port of entry.

Fees

MIT import permit application fee (nominal); standard customs clearance administration fees.

Time to obtain

5 to 10 working days for MIT import permits; 1 to 2 weeks for NamRA Customs Client Code registration.

Required

no

Process

No mandatory pre-market brand or label registration system (such as US TTB COLA) exists for imported distilled spirits; however, products are verified for compliance with the Liquor Act, Metrology Act, and Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) standards at border clearance and via domestic market surveillance.

Authority

Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) / Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT).

Documents and samples

Certificate of analysis and commercial product documentation upon customs inspection request.

Fees

not applicable

Renewal

not applicable

Time to obtain

not applicable

Commercial shipments require clearance via ASYCUDAWorld through an accredited customs clearing agent; importer of record must hold a NamRA Customs Client Code. Products originating outside the SACU zone are subject to SACU CET rates; intra-SACU trade circulates customs-duty free with rules-of-origin documentation. Documentation required includes commercial invoice, bill of lading/air waybill, packing list, certificate of origin, and certificate of analysis. Physical tax strip stamps are not required on spirits containers.

Spirits under HS 2208 originating outside SACU are subject to the SACU Common External Tariff (CET); standard rates for most spirits (whisky, gin, rum, vodka) are general duty-free (0%) or specific rates up to 154c/li, with preferential 0% rates for SACU, SADC, and EU/EPA originating goods.

Specific excise duty applies per SACU Schedule 1 Part 2 (levied at a specific rate per litre of absolute alcohol, typically harmonized across SACU at over N$260 to N$280+ per LAA). Import VAT is 15% assessed on the customs value uplifted by 10% plus customs and excise duties (effective import VAT approx. 16.5%).

Private licensed retailers under the Liquor Act 6 of 1998 (no state monopoly). Distilled spirits for off-premise consumption are sold through licensed bottle stores (grocery liquor licences are restricted to wine). Trading hours for bottle stores are strictly regulated: Monday to Friday 08:00–18:30 (or 19:00 depending on region) and Saturday 08:00–13:00; off-premise sales are prohibited on Sundays and public holidays. On-premise sales (hotels, bars, restaurants) operate under separate licences with extended evening hours.

Restricted; distance sales and delivery are only permissible if operated through an appropriately licensed off-consumption premise (bottle store or wholesaler), adhering strictly to statutory trading hours and mandatory verification that the recipient is 18 years or older.

Administered under the Trade Metrology Act, Liquor Act, and Food regulations. Mandatory details: clear trade and generic designation of spirit, nominal volume in metric units (ml or L), country of origin, alcoholic strength by volume (% ABV), and name and address of manufacturer, packer, or distributor. Primary language must be English. Underage warning ('Not for sale to persons under the age of 18') is legally required in sales contexts; pregnancy and health advisories are industry-standard via SAIF.

Self-regulated primarily by the Self-Regulation Alcohol Industry Forum (SAIF) Code of Commercial Communications and consumer protection statutes. Commercial communications must not depict or target minors under 18, promote irresponsible or excessive consumption, link alcohol with operating machinery/driving, or assert therapeutic or performance-enhancing properties. Government health stakeholders periodically review proposals for stronger statutory bans on alcohol marketing.

Aligned with SACU standards (SANS/NAMS standards): standard distilled spirits (whisky, brandy, gin, vodka, rum) must generally meet a minimum alcoholic strength of 43% ABV (with 40% recognized for certain imported categories); brandy must be produced from the distillation of wine or grape marc and matured in wood; neutral spirits and spirit aperitifs have distinct composition requirements.

No regional prohibition or dry municipalities; however, local authorities, town councils, and traditional communal authorities restrict the operation, licensing, and zoning of informal shebeens and outlets.

• 2024: Promulgation of Government Notice 262 of 2024 amending the Liquor Regulations (Liquor Act 6 of 1998) by inserting Regulations 12A and 12B to tighten regional liquor licensing inspection procedures and compliance oversight.
• 2024-2025: NamRA, municipal police, and the Self-Regulation Alcohol Industry Forum (SAIF) intensified enforcement and joint task force seizures of non-compliant and illicit distilled spirits failing Section 48 standards under the Liquor Act.
• 2025-2026: Publication of the WHO Alcohol and Health country report on Namibia catalyzed inter-ministerial reviews between MoHSS and MIT regarding stricter enforcement of retail sale hours, shebeen control, and the finalization of a national alcohol control policy.

With high per capita alcohol consumption and virtually no domestic production of premium spirits, Namibia depends heavily on imported whisky, brandy, gin, and specialty liqueurs. Foreign exporters of premium and mid-tier craft spirits can tap into an active retail and safari tourism hospitality market by partnering with licensed local wholesale distributors.

• Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA)
• Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT)
• Namibian Standards Institution (NSI)
• Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS)

1. Namibia Liquor Act 6 of 1998 and Regulations (Annotated Statutes)
2. NamRA Customs and Excise - SACU Tariff, Excise and Import Guidelines
3. Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade - Import Requirements and Trade Procedures
4. Namibia Trade Information Portal - Permits and Procedures
5. Self-Regulation Alcohol Industry Forum of Namibia (SAIF) - Illicit Alcohol & Product Standards