Alcohol regulations in Algeria

Licensing, import, labelling and tax rules for spirits. Researched July 2026.

Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in July 2026 from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page. Duty rates, fees and rules change often: confirm with the regulator, a customs broker or local counsel before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Status: Dry areas exist
Legal drinking age: Not regulated
Legal purchase age: 18

Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)

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

Import licence and registration

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

Product and label registration

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

Import rules

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).

Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)

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.

Excise and taxes

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.

Retail and distribution

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.

Online sale and delivery

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.

Labelling

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).

Advertising

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.

Legal definitions of spirits

not confirmed

Dry or restricted areas

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.

Recent changes

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 for exporters

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.

Regulators

Sources

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