Alcohol regulations in Barbados

Licences needed

Excise Manufacturer / Distiller Licence and Bonded Warehouse Licence; premises approval from Town and Country Planning and Environmental Health.

Authority

Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) Customs & Excise Division

Documents

Business registration/incorporation certificates, tax clearance certificate, premises plan/blueprint, still specifications, excise bond/security guarantees

Fees

Prescribed statutory registration and licence fees under the Excise Tax Regulations

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Any registered commercial entity or individual registered with the Barbados Revenue Authority for tax/VAT and registered as an importer with Customs

Licences or registrations

Trader/Importer registration with Customs (ASYCUDA system), BRA VAT/TIN number; specific import licences where scheduled by the Department of Commerce

Authority

Customs and Excise Department (Barbados Revenue Authority) and Ministry of Energy and Business Development (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs)

Documents

Commercial invoice (CARICOM format or standard), bill of lading/air waybill, customs declaration (Form C-63), packing list, Central Bank exchange control clearance where applicable

Fees

Customs processing fees, standard ASYCUDA declaration fees

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required

no

Process

There is no formal pre-market brand/label registration requirement (such as US COLA) for distilled spirits; products must comply with national mandatory labeling standards published by the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI). Importers may optionally request compliance evaluation from BNSI.

Authority

Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI)

Documents and samples

Specimen label or packaging layout and product specification sheets if submitted for voluntary standards conformity verification

Fees

Standards testing/certification fees if evaluated through BNSI

Renewal

not applicable

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Commercial shipments require clearance by a registered customs broker using ASYCUDA. Must include standard shipping documentation (air waybill/bill of lading, commercial invoice, C-63 customs form). Certificates of Origin are mandatory for preferential tariff treatment under CARICOM or bilateral agreements. Commercial spirits are exempt from physical fiscal strip stamps on bottles, but bonded warehousing procedures and customs release permits apply.

Standard external tariffs on spirits under HS 2208 follow CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET) rules or specific national protective rates (up to 60% ad valorem or specific duties per liquid/proof gallon on select spirit categories), plus a 1% environmental levy on CIF.

Excise tax on spirits ranges between 5% and 60% (or equivalent specific volume rates under the Excise Tax Act), plus standard Value Added Tax (VAT) of 17.5% calculated on the duty- and excise-inclusive value, and a 0.75% to 1% environmental levy on CIF.

Private sector model. Alcoholic beverages are sold through licensed supermarkets, specialized wine and liquor merchants, traditional 'rum shops', bars, and restaurants. Retail establishments must hold one of the designated categories of licences under the Liquor Licences Act, 2021 (administered by the Liquor Licence Authority). Permitted operating hours vary according to licence classification (general retail, hotel, restaurant, or entertainment).

allowed

Labeling must adhere to BNSI specifications and CARICOM Regional Standards (CRS 5). Mandatory details: brand name, generic/common description of spirit, alcoholic strength by volume (% ABV), net contents (metric), country of origin, and name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. Text must be in English. Mandatory graphic health warnings are not strictly codified by statute for spirits.

Permitted with restrictions. Governed by consumer protection guidelines, broad broadcasting standards, and industry self-regulation. Advertisements must not target minors under 18 or encourage irresponsible consumption.

Spirits must satisfy definitions under BNSI specifications and CARICOM regional standards. Barbados rum standards require production from fermented sugar cane derivatives (molasses, cane juice) distilled below 96% ABV, with a minimum bottling strength of 37.5% to 40% ABV; rum bearing age statements must refer strictly to the youngest component in the blend.

None. Alcohol retail and consumption are permitted across all parishes under valid licences.

• Full transition of the commercial liquor licensing system to an online platform (liquorlicence.gov.bb) managed by the Liquor Licence Authority under the Liquor Licences Act.
• Consolidation of the legal minimum drinking, purchasing, and service age at 18 years across all on-premise and off-premise venues with elevated penalties for vendors serving minors.

Barbados possesses an affluent hospitality and tourism sector with strong consumer demand for premium imported spirits categories that are not produced locally, such as Scotch, American bourbon, premium gin, and tequila.

• Barbados Revenue Authority (Customs & Excise)
• Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Liquor Licence Authority)
• Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI)

1. Barbados Parliament - Liquor Licences Act, 2021
2. Barbados Revenue Authority - Excise Tax Regulations
3. PwC Barbados - Corporate - Other Taxes
4. US International Trade Administration - Barbados Country Commercial Guide
5. Barbados National Standards Institution Catalogue & Information