Distillers Alcohol regulations in American Samoa
How to import or export liquor and spirits to American Samoa, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched October 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in October 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 Spotted something out of date?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
- 21
- Legal purchase age
- 21
Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Alcoholic Beverage Control Board manufacturing license, territorial business license, and federal TTB Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) permit
- Authority
- Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (American Samoa Government)
- Documents
- not confirmed
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Holders of an Alcoholic Beverage Importer's License; arriving travelers aged 21 and older may import up to 1 liter for personal use tax-free
- Licences or registrations
- Alcoholic Beverage Importer's License
- Authority
- Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and Department of Treasury (Customs Division)
- Documents
- License application to the Board, territorial business license, tax clearance
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
- Required
- no
- Process
- No separate territorial brand or label registration system exists; imported spirits follow US federal TTB Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) requirements
- Authority
- Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) at the federal level
Import rules
Commercial imports may only be brought in by licensed importers and must be cleared through the American Samoa Customs Service. Standard shipping documents (manifest, bill of lading, commercial invoice) are required upon arrival. American Samoa operates an independent customs territory outside US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). No state monopoly exists.
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
0% (customs import duties were abolished under ASCA § 11.1020; imports are taxed via territorial excise taxes instead)
Excise and taxes
Under ASCA § 11.1002(a)(1)(B), spirits and beverages containing 8% or more alcohol by weight are taxed at $0.15 per 1% of alcohol by weight per liter, subject to a minimum excise tax of $2.00 per liter. There is no general territorial sales tax (0% VAT/sales tax).
Retail and distribution
Private licensed retailers and on-premises venues. Off-premises package vendors may sell Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (no sales on Sunday, except duty-free airport retail). On-premises bars and clubs may sell Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. the following morning (closed Sundays, except licensed hotels and tourist restaurants after 10:00 a.m.). Sales are prohibited during polling hours on election days.
Online sale and delivery
restricted
Labelling
Complies with US federal regulations (27 CFR Part 5), including mandatory statement of alcoholic content, net contents, class/type, country of origin, and the federal Alcoholic Beverage Health Warning Statement. No territorial excise stamps are required.
Advertising
Commercial advertising is subject to general US federal and local consumer protection rules; marketing targeted at individuals under 21 is prohibited.
Legal definitions of spirits
ASCA § 27.0501(1) defines alcoholic beverage as containing 8% or more alcohol by weight. Specific standards of identity for whisky, rum, vodka, gin, and brandy conform to US federal regulations (27 CFR Part 5).
Dry or restricted areas
Under ASCA § 27.0510, county councils have the option to prohibit alcoholic beverage vendor establishments within their county. In addition, local village councils (fono) under fa'a Samoa possess customary authority to ban or restrict alcohol sales and consumption within village boundaries.
Recent changes
No major amendments to ASCA Title 27 Chapter 05 or Title 11 Chapter 10 regarding spirits taxation or licensing were enacted between 2024 and 2026.
Opportunities for exporters
Because customs tariffs are zero and American Samoa operates outside the US customs territory, foreign and US spirit brands can enter through licensed local distributors, though market volume remains small and subject to specific alcohol-by-weight excise duties.
Regulators
Sources
Selling into American Samoa or buying from it?