Alcohol regulations in Seychelles

Licences needed

Bottler's Licence / Alcohol Manufacturing Licence

Authority

Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA)

Documents

Certificate of planning approval, Fire Brigade safety compliance certificate, Public Health / sanitary clearance certificate, proof of premises ownership or lease agreement, business plan showing financial and technical competence, and business/company registration documents.

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Registered corporate entities or individual traders holding a valid wholesale or import licence issued by the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA) and registered with the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC).

Licences or registrations

Import/Wholesale Licence from SLA; Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and ASYCUDA World registration with SRC Customs Division.

Authority

Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA) and Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) - Customs Division

Documents

Commercial invoice, bill of lading or airway bill, packing list, certificate of origin, and import declaration form.

Fees

Standard SLA licence fees and customs documentation/processing charges (specific amounts vary).

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required

no

Process

Seychelles does not operate a mandatory pre-market brand/label approval system like the US TTB COLA; imported products must comply with national standards enforced by the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS) and Ministry of Health food labeling rules.

Authority

Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS) / Ministry of Health

Documents and samples

not confirmed

Fees

not confirmed

Renewal

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Imports must be cleared through ASYCUDA World under the Customs Management Act 2011; no state monopoly on commercial alcohol imports; standard import documents (commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of lading) are mandatory; physical excise strip stamps are generally not required, but all shipments are subject to physical customs and public health inspection.

Customs duty (Trades Tax) is levied under the Customs Management (Tariff) Regulations; MFN rates on spirits (HS 2208) generally range from 0% to 30% ad valorem on CIF value (or specific duty where specified by tariff line), with duty-free or preferential rates applicable to origins under COMESA, SADC, or EU-EPA agreements.

Governed by the Excise Tax Act 2022 (Act 27 of 2022) and Excise Tax (Rates) Regulations 2023. Distilled spirits incur high specific excise tax rates (e.g., SCR 268.40 per litre for whisky, rum, and high-strength spirits depending on ABV). In addition, standard Value Added Tax (VAT) of 15% is levied on the total tax-inclusive base (CIF value + customs duty + excise tax).

Sold by private licensed retailers holding an off-licence (Liquor Off) or on-premises licences (public bars, hotel bars, restaurants). Retail sale hours for off-licences are strictly regulated under the Licences (Liquor and Outdoor Entertainment) Regulations: Monday to Thursday 11:30 am to 9:00 pm; Friday 11:30 am to 11:00 pm; Saturday 8:30 am to 11:00 pm; Sunday and public holidays 8:30 am to 9:00 pm (or until 11:00 pm on the eve of consecutive public holidays).

restricted (e-commerce retailers must operate through an existing SLA-licensed retail or off-licence premise; delivery to individuals under 18 or outside statutory retail hours is prohibited).

Labels must state the product name/brand, net volume in metric units, percentage of alcohol by volume (% ABV), country of origin, name and address of the producer/bottler/importer, and lot/batch code; text must be in English or French; health warnings and restriction notices are governed by the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act 2019.

Strictly restricted under the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act 2019 and the Seychelles National Alcohol Policy; alcohol advertising is restricted in public places, near schools, and in broadcast media; alcohol manufacturers are prohibited from sponsoring sporting, youth, or cultural events directed at minors.

Administered by the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS) based on CODEX and international spirits standards (minimum ABV typically 40% for commercial whisky, rum, gin, and vodka; specific domestic standard parameters not confirmed).

No territorial dry areas exist; however, retail sales and outdoor drinking are prohibited near educational institutions, places of worship, health centers, and designated public areas.

• Full implementation of the modernized excise framework under the Excise Tax Act 2022 (Act 27 of 2022) and the Excise Tax (Rates) Regulations 2023 (SI 110 of 2023), consolidating specific excise rates across spirits.
• Establishment of the national alcohol study working group under the Seychelles Open Government Partnership Action Plan (2023-2025) to review policy recommendations on alcohol taxation, labelling, and advertising controls.

Strong demand for premium imported spirits and international whisky brands exists, largely sustained by Seychelles' high-end tourism and luxury hospitality sectors. However, exporters should account for substantial per-litre specific excise duties and tightly regulated off-premise retail hours.

• Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA)
• Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC)
• Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS)
• Ministry of Health Seychelles

1. Understanding Customs & Import Duties in Seychelles - Expanship
2. Understanding Excise Tax in Seychelles - Expanship
3. Seychelles Licensing Authority - Liquor Off and Bottler Conditions
4. Licences (Liquor and Outdoor Entertainment) Regulations - SLA
5. Seychelles National Alcohol Policy - Ministry of Health
6. Open Government Partnership - Seychelles Managing Alcohol Consumption Commitment 2023-2025