Alcohol regulations in Abu Dhabi

Licences needed

DCT Abu Dhabi on-site beverage fermentation/manufacturing permit linked to a commercial hospitality trade licence; commercial off-premise spirits distillery licences are not issued

Authority

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED)

Documents

Commercial trade licence, approved floor and facility layouts, DCT inspection compliance report, ADAFSA food hygiene and safety certificates

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Only licensed UAE commercial entities holding an authorized liquor import and distribution licence in Abu Dhabi (e.g., Gray Mackenzie & Partners/ADMMI, African + Eastern); foreign brands cannot import directly

Licences or registrations

Commercial Trading/Liquor Import Licence, Abu Dhabi Customs importer code, per-shipment import permit

Authority

General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi and Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)

Documents

Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, manufacturer certificate of analysis/health certificate, pre-approved shipment import permit

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required

yes

Process

All alcoholic products must be registered and undergo label and formulation assessment through local municipal food safety systems complying with UAE/GSO food standards and DCT technical guidelines before market release

Authority

Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT)

Documents and samples

Certificate of analysis (verifying agricultural ethanol origin and absence of toxic alcohols), product specification sheets, high-resolution original label artwork, sample bottles for laboratory testing if requested

Fees

not confirmed

Renewal

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Importer of record must be an authorized, licensed liquor distributor. Each shipment requires a customs import declaration and an advance import permit from local regulatory authorities. Shipments must be routed to approved bonded or licensed climate-controlled storage facilities. Parallel importing is restricted where exclusive commercial distribution agreements are formally registered with the UAE Ministry of Economy.

50% CIF under the GCC Unified Customs Tariff applied to alcoholic beverages (HS 2208)

Spirits are not subject to the UAE Federal Tax Authority excise tax (which applies to tobacco and sugary drinks), but are subject to 50% customs duty, 5% standard UAE VAT, and applicable municipal/tourism fees at on-premise hospitality establishments; Abu Dhabi does not levy the 30% municipal retail sales tax historically seen in Dubai.

Sold for off-premise consumption through dedicated, licensed private retail liquor stores (such as African + Eastern, Gray Mackenzie & Partners, Windmill, Unisat) and on-premise at licensed hotels, independent restaurants, bars, and clubs. Retail stores typically operate daily until 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM; consumers no longer require a personal liquor permit in Abu Dhabi.

allowed

Labels must be printed in English and/or Arabic (DCT Circular No. 17/2022). Required information includes brand and generic product name, country of origin, alcoholic strength (% ABV), net volume (actual liquid volume within ±3%), ageing/maturation statements (must reflect the youngest distillate component), and name and address of the manufacturer or importer. Distillates and ethanol must be exclusively of agricultural origin.

Strictly restricted. Commercial public advertising of alcohol (including billboards, print, radio, and television) is prohibited across the UAE under National Media Council rules and cultural standards. Marketing is restricted to point-of-sale displays within licensed venues, direct-to-consumer age-gated online retail portals, and authorized trade events.

Governed by DCT Circular No. 17/2022 and applicable UAE.S/GSO standards: ethyl alcohol and distillates must be 100% of agricultural origin with zero synthetic alcohol; spirits must be free of methanol, heavy metals above prescribed limits, and toxic contaminants; minimum ABV of 0.5% applies broadly to alcoholic drinks, with international standards of identity applied to whiskies, gins, vodkas, rums, and brandies.

No dry municipal areas exist in Abu Dhabi, but consumption and open containers are strictly illegal in public areas (streets, public beaches, parks) outside licensed venues. Transporting alcohol across the border into the neighbouring dry emirate of Sharjah is strictly prohibited.

• Full implementation of Abu Dhabi's on-site fermentation policy, resulting in the successful operation of the Gulf region's first legal craft brewpub (Craft by Side Hustle on Al Maryah Island).
• Expansion of regulated online ordering and home delivery of beer, wine, and spirits across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain without personal consumer permit requirements.
• The UAE Trademark Office officially opened direct trademark registrations under Nice Classification Class 33 for alcoholic beverages and spirits, strengthening intellectual property protections for foreign distillers.

Abu Dhabi presents growing demand for super-premium, craft, and heritage spirits fueled by an expanding luxury hospitality sector and high-spending expatriate demographic. Foreign distillers must secure representation through an established, DCT-licensed local distributor who oversees importation, product compliance, and distribution across retail and hospitality channels.

• Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)
• Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA)
• General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi
• Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT)

1. DCT Abu Dhabi Circular No. 17/2022 on Alcoholic Beverage Specifications
2. DCT Abu Dhabi Regulatory Policies and Standards for Alcoholic Beverages
3. Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) Food Import Regulations
4. UAE Customs Union & Import Tariffs - Al Tamimi & Company
5. United Arab Emirates International Food and Beverage Import Regulations - USDA FAS