Alcohol regulations in South Sudan

Licences needed

Industrial Operating / Manufacturing Licence and Tax Identification Number (TIN)

Authority

Ministry of Trade and Industry; South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA)

Documents

Certificate of Incorporation, TIN registration, premise inspection clearance, environmental and public health certificates

Fees

Varies; Financial Act 2024/2025 imposes quarterly factory inspection fees ranging from SSP 100,000 to SSP 2,500,000

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Registered corporate entities holding a valid commercial trade/import licence and TIN

Licences or registrations

Import Licence, SSRA Tax Identification Number (TIN), Electronic Import Permit (E-Permit Certificate), and Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

Authority

Ministry of Trade and Industry, South Sudan Revenue Authority (Customs Division), and South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS)

Documents

Commercial invoice, bill of lading / road consignment note, Certificate of Conformity (CoC), Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN), E-Permit Certificate, packing list

Fees

E-Permit is free via the e-government portal; PVoC inspection fees and customs clearance processing fees apply

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required

yes

Process

Imported regulated products including alcoholic beverages must undergo the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) scheme through appointed international inspection agents prior to shipment to obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) verifying compliance with SSNBS/EAC standards.

Authority

South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS)

Documents and samples

Certificate of Analysis / laboratory test results, proforma invoice, product labels, and technical product data sheet

Fees

Standard PVoC assessment fees based on route (shipment inspection or product registration) and consignment value

Renewal

Per shipment (Route A) or annual (Route B/C registration)

Time to obtain

not confirmed

All consignments must possess an SSNBS Certificate of Conformity (CoC) before entry; an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) and free digital E-Permit Certificate are mandatory; shipments undergo customs physical inspection at border points (notably Nimule); sachet-packaged spirits and adulterated local gins are strictly prohibited.

Tariffs are governed by the annual Financial Act tariff schedule (aligned with EAC Common External Tariff 8-digit codes); distilled spirits under HS 2208 are typically charged between 5% and 25% ad valorem on CIF value.

Excise duty: 35% on CIF value / ex-factory selling price (Financial Act 2024/2025); Sales tax: 18% (and up to 20% on bar/hospitality sales); Advance Business Profit Tax (BPT): 4% at customs clearance; Specific inspection fee: SSP 15,000 per carton of whisky, gin, or wine.

Private liquor stores, supermarkets, bars, and hotels licensed by local municipal authorities (such as Juba City Council); bar operations are subject to state/municipal inspection fees (SSP 500,000 under Financial Act 2024/2025).

not confirmed

Labels must be in English; required markings include product brand, class/type, alcohol content (% ABV), net volume, batch/lot number, manufacturer/bottler details, and country of origin; packaging spirits in plastic sachets or pouches is banned.

Advertising and sales targeting minors under 18 years of age are prohibited under the Child Act 2008; comprehensive national bans on general adult alcohol marketing are not confirmed.

not confirmed

Certain states and counties impose local prohibitions on distilled spirits or local brewing: Eastern Equatoria State has banned various commercial spirits and gins; Unity State banned toxic spirit imports and sales in 2026; Bor County (Jonglei State) instituted local brewing and consumption bans; Central Equatoria State enforces bans on illicit spirits (e.g., 'jenna fa'ar').

• Enactment of the Financial Act 2024/2025 increased the excise duty on alcoholic beverages, spirits, and vinegar (HS 22.01–22.09) from 30% to 35%.
• Financial Act 2024/2025 increased the border inspection fee on imported whisky, gin, and wine from SSP 1,000 to SSP 15,000 per carton.
• Reimposition of a 4% advance Business Profit Tax (BPT) on imported commercial goods under the Financial Act 2024/2025.
• SSNBS issued enforcement directives establishing mandatory Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) and digital E-Permit requirements at all border crossing stations.
• Sub-national crackdowns and bans on toxic spirits and illicit distillation were enacted in Unity State (May 2026) and Bor County (April 2026).

South Sudan relies heavily on imported bottled beer and commercial spirits due to limited domestic industrial distillation capacity. However, exporters face significant hurdles from high excise duties (35%), steep per-carton inspection fees, foreign exchange volatility, and localized state-level bans on certain spirit categories.

• South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA)
• South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS)
• Ministry of Trade and Industry

1. South Sudan enacts Financial Act 2024/2025 - EY Global Tax Alert
2. Eye Radio: SSRA Implements Financial Act 2024/2025 with Increased Levies
3. South Sudan Revenue Authority - Excise Tax Guidelines
4. South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) - Mandatory PVoC Implementation Notice
5. Laws of South Sudan - Child Act 2008 (Article 24: Protection from Harmful Substances)
6. Radio Tamazuj: State and County Bans on Alcoholic Spirits in Eastern Equatoria and Unity State