Distillers Alcohol regulations in Northern Mariana Islands
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Northern Mariana Islands, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched June 2025.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in June 2025 from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page. Duty rates, fees and rules change often: confirm with the regulator, a customs broker or local counsel before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Status
- Legal
- Legal drinking age
- 21
- Legal purchase age
- 21
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- CNMI Class 1 Manufacturer's License; general CNMI Business License from the Department of Commerce; federal TTB Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) basic permit
- Authority
- Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Control (ABTC) Division, CNMI Department of Commerce; U.S. TTB
- Documents
- ABC license application form, police clearance / criminal background check, proof of business registration, zoning/premises clearance, Department of Public Health sanitation approval, and proof of premises lease/ownership
- Fees
- $1,500 annual license fee; $50 application filing deposit; $100 annual sampling fee (if sampling conducted)
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Holders of a valid CNMI Class 2 Wholesale Agent's License (commercial importers) or individuals importing limited duty-free personal quantities (up to 77 fluid ounces of distilled spirits)
- Licences or registrations
- Class 2 Wholesale Agent's License; CNMI Business License; Customs registration with CNMI Division of Customs; federal TTB Federal Importer's Basic Permit
- Authority
- Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Control (ABTC) Division, CNMI Department of Commerce; CNMI Division of Customs (Department of Finance)
- Documents
- Wholesaler license application, criminal background check, CNMI business registration, proof of $5,000 surety bond, commercial invoice, bill of lading, and customs declaration form
- Fees
- $1,000 annual license fee; $50 application filing deposit; $100 annual sampling fee; $5,000 surety bond requirement
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Product and label registration
Required: no Process: The CNMI does not operate a separate local brand-registration or label-approval registry. However, imported alcoholic beverages entering the U.S. customs jurisdiction / territorial waters must comply with…
Import rules
CNMI is outside the standard U.S. Customs territory pursuant to Section 603 of the Covenant, meaning goods are cleared by the CNMI Division of Customs (Department of Finance). Commercial shipments require an entry declaration,…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
Standard U.S. HTS customs duties do not apply in the CNMI. Imports are subject to the local CNMI excise tax of $0.18 per fluid ounce ($0.18/fl oz) under 4 CMC § 1402(a)(19), plus the Environmental Beautification Tax of 0.42% ad valorem on consumer goods.
Excise and taxes
CNMI excise tax: $0.18 per fluid ounce on distilled spirits (4 CMC § 1402(a)(19)); Environmental Beautification Tax: 0.42% ad valorem on imports. On-premises consumption tax: 10% tax on the gross sales amount of alcoholic…
Retail and distribution
Private licensed system. Retail off-sale: Class 4 Retail Dealer's Off-Sale License ($500/year general; $150 beer/wine); hours permitted 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Retail on-sale: Class 3 Retail Dealer's On-Sale License ($500/year…
Online sale and delivery
restricted
Labelling
Labels must comply with federal U.S. standards (27 CFR Part 5) and the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act (ABLA, 27 U.S.C. § 215), which mandates the federal health warning statement ('GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the…
Advertising
Permitted subject to general U.S. federal and CNMI trade practice rules. Advertisements cannot be deceptive, make misleading health claims, or target individuals under the legal drinking age of 21.
Legal definitions of spirits
Federal standards of identity set out under 27 CFR Part 5 (e.g., minimum 40% ABV / 80 proof for whisky, rum, gin, and vodka) apply throughout U.S. jurisdictions, including the CNMI. CNMI statutory law defines alcoholic beverages…
Dry or restricted areas
None territory-wide; all three senatorial districts (Saipan, Tinian, and Rota) permit alcohol commerce. Sales are restricted on election days during polling hours (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) with narrow exemptions for airport…
Recent changes
Continued legislative reviews and regulatory updates under NMIAC Title 70 regarding customs entry procedures and excise exemptions updated through mid-2025. Ongoing enforcement of mandatory Server Training Certification IDs for…
Opportunities for exporters
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands represents an open, tourist- and hospitality-focused market with private wholesaling and retail distribution. Exporters can access local hotel, resort, and supermarket demand…
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- CNMI Department of Finance - Customs Division Excise Tax Rates
- Commonwealth Code Title 4, Division 1: Revenue and Taxation (§ 1402 Excise Tax)
- Commonwealth Code Title 4, Division 5, Chapter 5: Alcoholic Beverage Control
- Northern Mariana Islands Administrative Code (NMIAC) Subchapter 20-10.1: Alcohol Beverage Control Rules and Regulations
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