Alcohol regulations in Papua New Guinea

Licences needed

Distiller's Licence / Excise Manufacturer's Licence and provincial liquor manufacturing permit

Authority

PNG Customs Service and Provincial Liquor Licensing Boards

Documents

not confirmed

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Businesses legally registered with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) and the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC)

Licences or registrations

IRC Tax Identification Number (TIN), Customs Importer Code / Customs clearance registration, and provincial liquor dealer/wholesale licence where applicable

Authority

PNG Customs Service, Internal Revenue Commission (IRC), Provincial Liquor Licensing Boards

Documents

Commercial invoice, bill of lading/air waybill, packing list, Customs Single Administrative Document (import declaration)

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required

no

Process

No specific pre-market brand or label registration system (such as US COLA) exists for imported distilled spirits; products clear customs subject to standard documentation and compliance with general food standards.

Authority

National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT) / Department of Health

Commercial imports must be cleared by a registered importer or licensed customs broker; no state import monopoly exists; shipments require standard shipping documents and invoices; physical strip stamps/excise banderols are not currently mandated on spirit bottles; import permits or inspection may apply under quarantine and biosecurity regulations (NAQIA).

Spirits under HS 2208 generally enter at 0% (Free) customs duty under the Customs Tariff Act, as alcohol taxation is primarily captured via specific excise duties and GST at the border.

Excise duty is levied under the Excise Tariff Act: under the Excise Tariff (2025 Budget)(Amendment) Act 2024, rates on HS 2208 spirits (ABV up to 50%) range from K254.84 to K273.41 per litre of alcohol (or specific rates up to K876.54 for certain high-strength/mixed drinks); bi-annual 2.5% excise indexation was suspended from 1 Dec 2024 to 30 Nov 2025. Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 10% calculated on CIF value + Customs Duty + Excise Duty.

Private licensed vendors (hotels, clubs, taverns, restaurants, bottle shops, and licensed supermarkets); regulated provincially by Provincial Liquor Licensing Boards and the NCDC in Port Moresby; takeaway bottle sales are restricted on Sundays, public holidays, and during temporary provincial curfews.

not confirmed

Labels must be in English and specify product name, country of origin, net volume in metric units, alcohol strength by volume (% ABV), and manufacturer or importer details; mandatory graphic health warnings are not specifically confirmed for spirits.

Substantially restricted under the Liquor (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1973; public advertising intended or likely to promote the sale or consumption of alcohol is prohibited in public places, except on licensed premises or vehicles belonging to licensees.

not confirmed

Provincial administrations and local-level governments routinely enact temporary or ongoing liquor bans (notably in Highlands provinces such as Southern Highlands, Hela, and Enga); targeted neighborhood bans and sales restrictions are also imposed in Port Moresby settlements and suburbs.

• Enactment of the Excise Tariff (2025 Budget)(Amendment) Act 2024 (certified December 2024), which updated specific excise rates for spirits under HS 2208 and suspended the standard 2.5% bi-annual excise indexation on alcohol for 12 months between December 1, 2024 and November 30, 2025.
• Imposition of targeted liquor sales restrictions by the National Capital District Liquor Licensing Committee across Port Moresby settlements and selected suburbs from August 2025 through January 2026 to control alcohol-related violence ahead of PNG's 50th Independence celebrations.

Opportunities exist for premium international spirits in urban hotels, clubs, and modern retail in Port Moresby and Lae. However, high specific excise duties and recurrent provincial liquor bans necessitate partnerships with well-established domestic distributors.

• PNG Customs Service
• Internal Revenue Commission (IRC)
• National Capital District Commission (NCDC)
• National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT)

1. Excise Tariff (2025 Budget)(Amendment) Act 2024 - Department of Treasury PNG
2. NCDC Liquor Licensing Committee Bans Alcohol in High-Risk Areas - NBC PNG (August 2025)
3. Kipit Clarifies Alcohol Advertising under Liquor (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1973 - The National
4. National Capital District Commission - Trade & Liquor Licensing