Alcohol regulations in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Licences needed

Excise Manufacturer License / Registration and bonded premises authorization

Authority

Customs and Excise Department and Inland Revenue Department (Ministry of Finance)

Documents

Certificate of business incorporation, detailed premises blueprint, distillation/storage equipment descriptions, fiscal security bond, and environmental/planning clearances

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Any registered commercial entity or individual registered as an importer with SVG Customs

Licences or registrations

Tax Identification Number (TIN) from Inland Revenue Department and ASYCUDA World importer registration with Customs & Excise; import licence from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade if required by the trade control schedule

Authority

Customs and Excise Department; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Regional Integration and the Diaspora

Documents

Bill of Lading / Air Waybill, Commercial Invoice, CARICOM Certificate of Origin (for regional preferential duty), Single Administrative Document (SAD / ASYCUDA entry), Packing List

Fees

Standard ASYCUDA processing and declaration fees

Time to obtain

Customs clearance takes approximately 1 to 3 business days upon document submission

Required

no

Process

There is no formal national label pre-approval system (such as US TTB COLA). However, imported spirits must satisfy the national and CARICOM compulsory labelling and safety standards enforced at border inspection by the SVG Bureau of Standards (SVGBS).

Authority

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Bureau of Standards (SVGBS)

Documents and samples

Certificate of Analysis / Conformity from the manufacturer or accredited laboratory, sample product/labels if requested during border compliance checks

Fees

Conformity assessment / inspection fees apply if sampling or testing is conducted

Renewal

Per consignment / not applicable

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Imports must be cleared by a local registered importer of record or licensed customs broker via ASYCUDA World. There is no state monopoly on distilled spirits. All shipments require commercial documentation and are subject to mandatory 4% Customs Service Charge (CSC). Fiscal tax stamps / strip stamps are not currently mandatory.

Spirits under HS 2208 are subject to the CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET), typically ranging from 20% to 40% ad valorem or equivalent specific rates per proof/liquid gallon/litre depending on classification, plus the standard 4% Customs Service Charge (CSC) on CIF value.

Excise Tax is levied under the Excise Tax Act (Act No. 16 of 2007 / Cap 430) on imported and locally manufactured spirits based on First Schedule rates (varying specific or ad valorem rates set by statutory rules and orders); standard Value Added Tax (VAT) is 16%; 4% Customs Service Charge (CSC) applies on CIF value.

Regulated under the Liquor Licence Act (Cap 473). Retail sales are private and require a licence granted by the district Liquor Licensing Board / Magistrate. There are 9 licence classes (covering wholesale, retail, taverns, hotels, and occasional events). Retailers and on-premise venues must strictly adhere to statutory closing hours enforced by the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.

Allowed; no explicit statutory prohibition exists against online ordering or direct delivery, provided the retailer holds an appropriate Liquor Licence under Cap 473 and does not supply intoxicating liquor to persons under 16 years of age.

Must comply with SVGNS standards (SVGNS 1 Part 2 / Part 3 for prepackaged foods/goods) harmonized with CARICOM standards. Mandatory details include: brand/product name, alcohol content (% ABV), net volume (metric units), country of origin, name and address of manufacturer/packer/importer, batch/lot identification, and allergen warnings if applicable. English is required. Health warning labels are not legally compulsory across all spirits.

Commercial advertising is generally permitted across print, digital, and broadcast channels. There is no comprehensive alcohol ad ban, but marketing must not target minors or mislead consumers regarding health and therapeutic qualities.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines enforces CARICOM Regional Standards adopted through SVGBS, including the CARICOM Standard for Rum (CRS 25:2008), defining rum as spirit obtained by fermentation and distillation of sugar cane products at less than 96% ABV and bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV. Codex Alimentarius and regional benchmarks serve as identity standards for whisky, vodka, gin, and brandy.

None; alcohol distribution and consumption are permitted across Saint Vincent and all islands of the Grenadines.

• Heightened enforcement campaigns conducted by the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force regarding mandatory licensing and closing hours under the Liquor Licence Act (Cap 473).
• Advancements in the digital trade processing architecture (electronic Single Window for Trade Facilitation / eSWiFT) integrating ASYCUDA World.
• Upgraded maritime container and port cargo inspection infrastructure at Kingstown Port.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines offers a dependable open market for premium international spirits, scotch whiskies, and wines driven by a vibrant luxury hospitality and yachting sector across resort hubs in Mustique, Canouan, and Bequia. Importers face no import monopolies or quantitative quotas, though landed costs must account for the 4% Customs Service Charge, excise tax, and 16% VAT.

• Customs and Excise Department, Ministry of Finance
• Inland Revenue Department, Ministry of Finance
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Bureau of Standards (SVGBS)
• Ministry of National Security (Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force / Licensing Boards)

1. Customs and Excise Department - St. Vincent and the Grenadines
2. Liquor Licence Act (Cap 473) Enforcement Notice - Ministry of National Security
3. WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Notifications: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Bureau of Standards
4. Import and Export Procedures Guide - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade