Alcohol regulations in Cabo Verde

Licences needed

Alvará de produção / licença industrial and annual sanitary operating authorisation (licença de funcionamento / vistoria sanitária)

Authority

Direção Nacional de Indústria, Comércio e Energia (DNICE) and Entidade Reguladora Independente da Saúde (ERIS)

Documents

Commercial registration certificate, industrial plant layout and equipment specifications, environmental clearance, health/hygiene inspection checklist compliance (auto de vistoria), water analysis test reports, HACCP/self-control protocol documentation

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Legally incorporated commercial entities licensed for foreign trade and registered with the tax and customs authorities

Licences or registrations

Fiscal Identification Number (NIF), commercial registration with the Chamber of Commerce / Commercial Registry, registration with Direção Nacional de Receitas do Estado (DNRE), and sanitary operator clearance with ERIS

Authority

Direção Nacional de Receitas do Estado (DNRE - Alfândegas) and Entidade Reguladora Independente da Saúde (ERIS)

Documents

Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading / airway bill, Single Customs Declaration (DU - Documento Único), Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Analysis / sanitary conformity certificate

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required

yes

Process

Imported food and beverage products require sanitary clearance and verification of label compliance with national food labeling standards by ERIS prior to commercial release.

Authority

Entidade Reguladora Independente da Saúde (ERIS)

Documents and samples

Product technical specification sheet, Certificate of Analysis from accredited laboratory of origin, commercial label artwork in Portuguese, certificate of free sale from country of origin

Fees

not confirmed

Renewal

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Import operations must be cleared through registered customs brokers (despachantes oficiais) via the Sydonia World / ASYCUDA system using the Documento Único (DU); shipments must be accompanied by certificates of origin, laboratory analysis certificates, and transport documentation; no state trading monopoly exists; physical strip stamps are not currently mandatory for spirits, but customs physical and documentary inspection applies.

40% ad valorem duty (Direito de Importação - DI) on CIF value for distilled spirits under HS Chapter 2208 (Pauta Aduaneira).

Special Consumption Tax (Imposto sobre Consumos Especiais - ICE) applies to distilled spirits under HS 2208; Value Added Tax (IVA) standard rate of 15% is levied on the tax base comprising CIF value plus import duties and ICE.

Private retail distribution through licensed private shops, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and bars subject to municipal commercial licenses (licença municipal); under Lei nº 51/IX/2019, sale and consumption are banned in public administration bodies, workplaces, educational institutions, health units, and temporary street kiosks; operating hours are set by municipal regulations.

Restricted; online sales are not explicitly prohibited, but distance sales and courier delivery must strictly comply with the minimum legal age limit (18 years), mandatory age verification upon purchase/handover, and municipal sales hours restrictions under Lei nº 51/IX/2019.

Under Decreto-Lei nº 67/2015 and technical food regulations, labels must include: product legal denomination, ingredients list (where applicable), nominal net volume in standardized capacities (e.g. 100, 200, 350, 500, 700, 1000, 1500, 1750, 2000 ml), actual alcoholic strength by volume (% vol) for beverages exceeding 1.2% ABV, name/corporate name and address of producer or importer, country of origin, lot/batch code; Portuguese language is required; points of sale must display mandatory visual notices prohibiting sales to individuals under 18 years (Portaria nº 35/2019).

Substantially prohibited; Lei nº 51/IX/2019 establishes a comprehensive ban on the advertising and marketing of alcoholic beverages across domestic media, public spaces, and youth/sports sponsorship.

Traditional sugarcane spirit (Aguardente de cana-de-açúcar / Grogue) is strictly defined under Decreto-Lei nº 11/2015 as spirits produced exclusively from the distillation of naturally fermented sugarcane juice (minimum 38% ABV, no artificial sugars or outside neutral alcohols); international spirit categories (whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy) follow Codex Alimentarius and Portuguese/EU technical specifications recognized by ERIS and IGQPI.

No entirely dry geographic jurisdictions; however, strict statutory dry zones apply to public administration premises, schools/educational grounds and youth sports venues, healthcare facilities, workplaces, and street kiosks pursuant to Lei nº 51/IX/2019.

• Ongoing strict enforcement and audit inspections by ERIS and IGAE on distilleries and beverage commercialization to safeguard public health and ensure sanitary compliance.
• Sustained national enforcement of Lei nº 51/IX/2019 (Lei do Álcool) banning alcohol advertising and restricting retail availability to minors.
• Periodic tariff adjustments and customs updates under national State Budget laws affecting special consumption tax (ICE) schedules.

Cabo Verde's prominent tourism and hospitality industry creates continuous demand for international spirits such as Scotch whisky, premium vodka, gin, and brandies. Exporters must factor in a 40% customs duty, excise taxes, and a total ban on domestic consumer advertising.

• Entidade Reguladora Independente da Saúde (ERIS)
• Direção Nacional de Receitas do Estado (DNRE) - Alfândegas
• Inspeção-Geral das Atividades Económicas (IGAE)
• Instituto de Gestão da Qualidade e da Propriedade Intelectual (IGQPI)

1. Lei nº 51/IX/2019 (Lei do Álcool) - Governo de Cabo Verde
2. Portaria nº 35/2019 e Legislação do Álcool - Imprensa Nacional de Cabo Verde
3. Pauta Aduaneira e Imposto sobre Consumos Especiais (ICE) - Ministério das Finanças
4. Regulação e Rotulagem de Géneros Alimentícios - ERIS
5. Decreto-Lei n.º 11/2015 (Regime Jurídico da Produção de Grogue) - IGAE