Alcohol regulations in Marshall Islands

Licences needed

Local Government Business / Liquor Manufacturing Licence, National Tax / Excise Registration

Authority

Local Atoll Government Councils (e.g., Majuro Atoll Local Government - MALGov) and Ministry of Finance (Division of Customs)

Documents

Business registration, premises inspection approvals, local council application

Fees

Varies by local government council jurisdiction

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Businesses holding one of the statutorily restricted commercial alcohol import licenses, or adults (21+) importing within duty-free passenger allowances (up to 2 litres)

Licences or registrations

Alcohol Import License (quota-limited via competitive bidding)

Authority

Ministry of Finance (Division of Customs and Taxation)

Documents

Application submitted via Invitation to Bid, business registration, tax compliance clearance certificate (no past-due tax liabilities)

Fees

Determined via the statutory bidding and licensing process

Time to obtain

Allocated on an annual cycle taking effect October 1st

Required

no

Process

There is no separate national pre-market brand or label registration system (such as US COLA). Commercial clearance requires standard customs documentation and verification against the licensed importer quota.

Authority

Division of Customs, Ministry of Finance

Documents and samples

Commercial invoice, bill of lading/air waybill, packing list, and customs declaration

Fees

none

Time to obtain

Standard customs clearance timeframe

Commercial import requires an authorized importer holding one of the maximum 30 national alcohol import licenses. Under the Excise Tax Act 2025 (P.L. 2025-46), imported alcoholic spirits must be affixed with prescribed excise stamps by the importer within seven days of customs entry. Shipments to United States Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) operate under separate military agreements.

$15.00 per gallon (specific duty across HS heading 2208, as set in national tariff schedules)

Spirits are subject to excise duty under the Excise Tax Act 2025 and an additional $4.00 per gallon health/education funding supplement under the Import Duties Act (§227, amended by P.L. 2025-3). There is no national VAT/GST on imports; local governments impose local gross sales/retail taxes.

Privately owned licensed package stores, grocery stores, hotels, bars, and restaurants licensed by local municipal councils (e.g., MALGov in Majuro). Under 21 MIRC Ch. 2 (§202), bars must close no later than 12:00 AM on weekdays and 2:00 AM on weekends; off-premise Sunday sales are widely restricted by local ordinance.

restricted

Standard international/US commercial packaging is accepted. Labels must show beverage type, brand, alcoholic strength by volume (ABV), and net volume in English. Imported spirits must have RMI excise stamps affixed within 7 days of entry.

Tobacco advertising is strictly restricted under the Tobacco Control Act 2006, but alcohol advertising faces fewer statutory restrictions nationwide. It is nevertheless subject to broadcast standards, local community modesty norms, and prohibitions in dry atolls.

not confirmed

Default prohibition applies across the country under 21 MIRC Ch. 1 unless a municipality affirmatively legalizes alcohol by local ordinance. Several outer atolls remain fully dry (banning possession, sale, and consumption); sale and consumption are primarily authorized in Majuro and Ebeye (Kwajalein Atoll).

• Enactment of the Import Duties (Amendment) Act 2024 (P.L. 2025-3, certified September 2025), amending Section 227 of the Import Duties Act regarding Cabinet-directed funding supplements, establishing a $4.00 per gallon supplement on distilled spirits.
• Enactment of the Excise Tax Act, 2025 (P.L. 2025-46) as part of comprehensive tax reform, creating a modern excise tax framework and mandating physical excise stamps on all imported spirits within 7 days of entry.

Commercial spirit sales are concentrated in urban centers (Majuro and Ebeye) serving hospitality, resident expatriates, and maritime crews. Market entry requires partnering with one of the restricted number of locally licensed importers holding an annual import quota.

• Ministry of Finance, Division of Customs
• Parliament of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (Nitijela)
• Majuro Atoll Local Government (MALGov)

1. Republic of the Marshall Islands Parliament - Import Duties (Amendment) Act, 2024 (P.L. 2025-3)
2. Republic of the Marshall Islands Parliament - Excise Tax Act, 2025 (P.L. 2025-46)
3. Marshall Islands Revised Code - Title 21: Intoxicating Liquor (Alcoholic Beverages Act 1975 & Alcohol Restriction Act 1994)
4. Marshall Islands Revised Code - Title 48, Chapter 2: Import Duties Act 1989
5. ASYCUDAWorld RMI Customs Tariff Guide (HS Chapter 22)
6. International Monetary Fund - Republic of the Marshall Islands Staff Report (Tax Reform Review)