Alcohol regulations in Azerbaijan

Licences needed

License for production of ethyl (food) alcohol; License for production of alcoholic beverages.

Authority

Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan (processed via ASAN Service / Electronic Licensing Portal).

Documents

Application form, state registration certificate (extract from the state register of legal entities), taxpayer identification number (VÖEN), documentation of ownership or lease of production facility, technological and laboratory equipment conformity certificates, sanitary-hygienic and fire safety approvals, Food Safety Agency (AQTA) registration certificate.

Fees

State duty prescribed under the Law 'On State Duties' (subject to statutory fee schedule, historically AZN 5,500 to AZN 11,000 depending on scope).

Time to obtain

Statutory review period is 10 to 15 working days from submission of complete documentation.

Who can import

Legally registered corporate entities and individual entrepreneurs registered in Azerbaijan with an active taxpayer identification number (VÖEN) and enrolled in the Food Safety Register.

Licences or registrations

No standalone general import license; requires mandatory registration of the food/alcohol importer in the Food Safety Automated Information System (AQTİS) and excise registration with the State Tax Service.

Authority

Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AQTA) and the State Customs Committee.

Documents

Customs declaration, commercial invoice, bill of lading/CMR, contract/power of attorney, certificate of origin, food safety/quality certificates from the exporting country, AQTA import notification/permit.

Fees

Operator registration with AQTA is free of state duty (abolished under Law No. 415); standard customs processing fees apply.

Time to obtain

AQTA operator registration takes approximately 7–15 working days; customs clearance takes 1–3 business days upon cargo arrival.

Required

yes

Process

Imported spirits must be recorded in the Food Safety Automated Information System (AQTİS) maintained by AQTA. Importers submit product safety certificates and formulation details, followed by documentary verification, mandatory Azerbaijani-language label assessment, and, where applicable, laboratory testing by the Azerbaijan Food Safety Institute (AFSI) before an import food safety certificate is issued.

Authority

Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AQTA).

Documents and samples

Product specification, certificate of analysis/quality, manufacturer certificate of conformity/health certificate, draft label in Azerbaijani, commercial invoice, product samples if physical testing is assigned.

Fees

Laboratory analysis and safety certification fees vary by testing protocol according to the AFSI tariff schedule.

Renewal

Certificates are granted per shipment/consignment or for standard commercial contract durations.

Time to obtain

5 to 15 business days depending on laboratory testing requirements.

Spirits imports must be handled by an Azerbaijani registered importer of record. All retail bottles must bear mandatory state excise stamps (aksiz markası) issued by the State Tax Service before entering commercial circulation. Shipments require a Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Analysis, Food Safety Certificate from AQTA, and customs documentation. Wholesale settlements must be conducted non-cash.

15% ad valorem based on the customs value (CIF) under HS Code 2208.

Excise duty on spirits (vodka, strong drinks, liqueurs, brandy, cognac) is AZN 5.00 per litre (updated under the Tax Code/State Budget); standard VAT rate is 18%, calculated on the aggregate of Customs Value + Customs Duty + Excise Duty.

Private sector retail sales are permitted across licensed supermarkets, grocery stores, and specialty beverage outlets, as well as on-premise hospitality establishments (bars, restaurants, hotels). No state retail monopoly exists. Retailers are prohibited from selling alcohol to individuals under 18 years of age. Cashless transaction thresholds apply to alcohol trade under tax transparency rules.

restricted

Labels must include information in the Azerbaijani language (bilingual/multilingual labels allowed). Mandatory details include product name and brand, name and address of producer/bottler, country of origin, nominal volume, alcoholic strength (% ABV), batch number, production/expiration dates, storage conditions, ingredients, mandatory health warning regarding the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption, and placement for the tax excise stamp.

Regulated under the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan 'On Advertising'. Advertising of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol strength exceeding 5% ABV is prohibited on television, radio, billboards/outdoor banners, and primary web portals. Specialized tastings and point-of-sale displays are permitted under restrictions. Permissible beverage advertisements must contain a clear warning occupying at least 10% of the advertising area stating that excessive consumption is harmful to health.

Spirits are categorized under national AZS standards and inherited regional GOST standards. Standard minimum ABV requirements are generally 40% for vodka, whisky, rum, and brandy/cognac, with defined allowable organoleptic, chemical, and distillation purity parameters.

No dry territorial jurisdictions exist (Azerbaijan is a secular republic). However, point-of-sale restrictions prohibit selling alcohol in educational premises, pre-schools, medical facilities, youth centers, and in the immediate vicinity of religious institutions.

• Excise tax rates on distilled spirits and ethyl alcohol were adjusted to AZN 5.00 per liter under Tax Code and state budget updates.
• Expansion and full digital enforcement of the Food Safety Information System (AQTİS) managed by AQTA for import food safety certification and traceability.
• Reinforced monitoring and digital reconciliation between the State Tax Service and State Customs Committee for excise stamp tracking and anti-counterfeiting.

Urban consumer demand in Baku for premium western spirits, including Scotch and Irish whiskies, premium gin, and authentic tequila, continues to grow through modern retail chains and high-end hospitality venues.

• Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AQTA)
• State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy
• State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan
• Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

1. PwC Azerbaijan - Taxes on Corporate Income and Excise Rates
2. State Tax Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Excise Goods and Tax System
3. International Trade Administration (ITA) - Azerbaijan Labeling and Marking Requirements
4. Legalize Law Firm - Registration of Food Chain Operators in Azerbaijan (AQTA)
5. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Advertising