Alcohol regulations in Belize

Licences needed

Distiller's Licence and Still Registration Certificate under the Excise Regulation Act

Authority

Belize Customs & Excise Department

Documents

Formal application, detailed distillery apparatus plans, still specifications and receiver capacities, warehouse security blueprints, and applicant declarations

Fees

Statutory licence and still fees as scheduled under the Excise Regulation Act

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Registered businesses holding a valid Customs Tax Identification Number (TIN) / Customs code and licensed liquor wholesalers/importers

Licences or registrations

Import Licence from the Supplies Control Unit per shipment; BAHA clearance where required

Authority

Supplies Control Unit (Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprises / DGFT) and Belize Customs & Excise Department

Documents

Single Administrative Document (Form C-100), commercial invoice, bill of lading, certificate of origin, packing list, import licence application

Fees

No administrative fee for standard Supplies Control Unit import licences

Time to obtain

Approximately 3 to 7 business days

Required

no

Process

No mandatory pre-market COLA-style brand registration system exists; however, labels are subject to conformity assessment and verification against compulsory national and CARICOM standards by the Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) at importation or post-clearance

Authority

Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS)

Documents and samples

Product label artwork and specimen samples upon BBS or Customs inspection request

Fees

not confirmed

Renewal

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Spirits are classified as restricted goods requiring an import licence from the Supplies Control Unit prior to shipment. Formal clearance through an authorized customs broker is required for commercial imports. Shipments must include a Single Administrative Document (C-100), commercial invoice, bill of lading, and Certificate of Origin (mandatory for CARICOM preferential rates). Spirits are subject to customs duty, Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD), Environmental Tax, and GST.

Spirits under HS 2208 are subject to CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET) rates ranging from 40% to 110% ad valorem on CIF value, depending on classification and alcohol content; goods of qualifying CARICOM origin enter duty-free under rules of origin.

General Sales Tax (GST) of 12.5% calculated on CIF plus duty plus RRD; Environmental Tax of 2% to 3% on CIF value; Revenue Replacement Duty (RRD) applied on imported spirits (typically BZ$ 35.00 per imperial gallon on whiskey, gin, vodka, brandy, and liqueurs). Locally manufactured spirits are subject to domestic excise duties under the Customs and Excise Duties Act.

Private licensed retailers and hospitality venues under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act (Cap. 150). Licences include Shop, Beer, Publican General, Publican Special, Restaurant, Hotel, and Night Club. Standard operating hours set by S.I. 175 of 2022 restrict shop sales between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM; publican special venues close from midnight to 9:00 AM; nightclubs close from 2:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

restricted / not specifically regulated; e-commerce operators must hold a valid physical liquor licence, adhere to statutory shop retail closing hours (no delivery past 9:00 PM), and enforce strict age verification upon delivery to ensure recipients are at least 18 years old

Must be in English (pre-packaged goods compliant with US, CARICOM, Canadian, or EU standards are generally accepted). Mandatory details include brand name, product name, net contents (metric, ml/L), alcohol strength (% ABV), country of origin ('Product of...'), name and address of manufacturer/bottler/importer, lot/batch identification, and relevant warning statements. Physical excise stamps on individual bottles are not required.

Regulated under consumer protection and public health standards. Advertisements cannot target minors, must include responsible drinking messages/health hazard notices, and must not promote excessive alcohol consumption or depict drinking in misleading ways.

Rum is defined under CARICOM Standard CCS 0025 (adopted by BBS) as a spirit derived from sugarcane fermentation/distillation with a minimum ABV of 40% (Sykes Proof rum minimum 57.1% ABV). Other distilled spirits (whisky, gin, vodka, brandy) follow CARICOM and Codex Alimentarius specifications with standard minimum ABVs of 40%.

No dry municipalities or districts exist; however, public drinking on streets, parks, and unauthorized public spaces is prohibited under Section 44A of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act. Alcohol sales are restricted during election polling hours and certain national public/religious holidays.

• Cabinet approval and legislative drafting advanced for a comprehensive modernization of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act (Cap. 150) to overhaul fee schedules, streamline local licensing authorities, and strengthen compliance.
• Full implementation of standardized closing hours across municipal and rural councils pursuant to Statutory Instrument No. 175 of 2022, standardizing shop alcohol cut-off at 9:00 PM.
• Increased national traffic enforcement of the statutory 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit with roadside breathalyzer operations.

Expanding international tourism and growth in Belize's hospitality sector create solid demand for premium international spirits such as Scotch whisky, bourbon, gin, and tequila. Exporters must navigate high import tariffs and Revenue Replacement Duty by partnering with licensed domestic distributors who hold existing import quotas and established distribution networks.

• Belize Customs and Excise Department
• Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS)
• Supplies Control Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprises
• Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government

1. US International Trade Administration - Belize Country Commercial Guide: Import Tariffs, Customs Regulations & Requirements
2. US International Trade Administration - Belize: Prohibited & Restricted Imports
3. Belize Customs & Excise Department - Excise Regulation Act Chapter 53
4. Belize Ministry of Rural Transformation - Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act Chapter 150
5. Government of Belize Press Office - Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Regulations Amended (SI 175 of 2022)
6. Belize Bureau of Standards - Specification for Rum (CARICOM Standard CCS 0025)
7. TTB International Affairs Division - Belize Beverage Alcohol Import Requirements