Alcohol regulations in Anguilla

Licences needed

Business Licence, Manufacturer/Liquor Licence, and Public Health/Sanitary clearance

Authority

Magistrate's Court, Inland Revenue Department (IRD), and Ministry of Economic Development / Department of Health Protection

Documents

Application form, proof of premise ownership or lease, police clearance certificate, public health inspection report, and business incorporation details

Fees

Subject to Business Licence and Liquor Licence statutory fee schedules (commercial manufacturing rates vary)

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Registered commercial businesses holding a valid business licence and registered with Anguilla Customs

Licences or registrations

ASYCUDA World Trader Registration and valid Business Licence

Authority

Anguilla Customs Department and Inland Revenue Department

Documents

Business registration, commercial invoice, airway bill or bill of lading, packing list, and customs declaration (C88/ASYCUDA)

Fees

Standard ASYCUDA processing and customs administration charges

Time to obtain

1 to 5 business days for trader profile setup

Required

no

Process

Anguilla does not operate a pre-market brand/label registration or US COLA-style domestic approval system for imported spirits; products clearance is handled at the port of entry via standard customs documentation.

Authority

Anguilla Customs Department

Documents and samples

Commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificate of origin (if preferential tariff claimed); samples generally not required unless requested for customs classification

Fees

None for brand/label registration

Renewal

None

Time to obtain

None

Commercial shipments require entry through designated customs ports via a registered customs broker or agent using ASYCUDA. There is no state import monopoly. Mandatory shipment documentation includes standard commercial invoice, bill of lading/air waybill, and packing list. Physical tax stamps or strip stamps are not required. Licensed spirit dealers must maintain registers of spirit sales exceeding 1 gallon.

Customs duties on distilled spirits (HS 2208) are levied primarily on a CIF ad valorem basis (generally 20% to 25%, depending on tariff line item under the Integrated Customs Tariff Regulations).

13% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applied on the landed cost (CIF value + customs duty + Customs Service Charge) pursuant to the Goods and Services Tax Act; plus a Customs Service Charge (CSC) of 1% to 6% of CIF value.

Private distribution network consisting of licensed liquor stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, hotels, bars, and restaurants. Liquor licences (wholesale, retail, hotel, restaurant, and temporary) are granted by the Special Magistrate's Court during quarterly sittings (held the second day of each calendar quarter). Operating hours are governed by licence conditions.

allowed

Labels must be in English and state product name/trade brand, net liquid volume, alcohol by volume (ABV %), country of origin, and manufacturer/bottler details. CARICOM regional food labeling guidelines are accepted; specific local domestic health warning statements or excise strip stamps are not mandatory.

Permissible with no blanket statutory prohibition. Commercial advertising is governed by general consumer protection standards and broadcasting regulations; marketing, advertising, or sponsorships deliberately targeting minors under the age of 18 are prohibited.

Anguilla follows CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) regional specifications and international Harmonized System (HS) definitions for rum, whisky, gin, vodka, and brandies; no divergent domestic standards of identity code exists.

None; alcohol sales and consumption are legal across the entire territory in properly licensed premises.

• Continued consolidation and electronic compliance monitoring of the 13% Goods and Services Tax (GST) across all commercial imports and sales of alcoholic beverages.
• Enhanced digital clearance integration through the Anguilla Customs ASYCUDA World portal, streamlining commercial manifest processing and duty calculation.
• Heightened local enforcement sweeps by the Inland Revenue Department and the Magistrate's Court requiring compliance with quarterly liquor licensing hearings, visible display of licenses, and recordkeeping for bulk spirit sales.

Anguilla's upscale tourism sector, luxury resort market, and high-end dining scene create consistent, premium demand for super-premium rum, single-malt scotch, artisanal tequila, and craft spirits. Because there is no state alcohol monopoly, foreign brands can enter the market directly via established private local distributors and hospitality importers.

• Anguilla Customs Department
• Anguilla Inland Revenue Department
• Anguilla Magistrate's Court (Judicial Department)

1. Government of Anguilla - Liquor Licence Requirements & IRD Enforcement Notice
2. Integrated Customs Tariff and Customs Regulations - Anguilla Executive Council
3. Anguilla Customs Import and Duties Guide
4. Anguilla Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Import Rates Breakdown