Myanmar: import list of alcoholic beverages (liquors) largely extended
The Ministry of Commerce MoC recently announced the amendment of the import probation list which liberalizes the list of alcoholic beverages to be allowed to import into Myanmar. The changes in the procedures is announced as to encourage the use of better quality products in the market and to prevent for illegal trade.
In Myanmar, alcohol, beer and wine are regarded as different (sub-)categories, all three were listed separately under the category ‘liquor’. The import of any kind of liquors has long been banned in the country, largely due to health, social and religious reasons. The current ban on the importation of foreign liquors was in effect since 1995.
The Myanmar Government however from time to time adjusted the list of goods prohibited to import in accordance with changing circumstances. In 2015, due to the increase in foreign residents and the emergence of hotels and tourism industry, the Department of Trade published the notification no. 18/2015 followed by the detailed procedures which allowed since then the importation of all kind of foreign wine (alcohol by volume within 7- 20%).
Notifications related to the import of liquors (alcohol)
On 25 May, 2020 the Myanmar Ministry of Commerce (MoC) made 2 new official notifications in relation to the import of foreign liquors. The announcement officially puts an end to the previous notification no.8/2013 which now excludes drinks categorized as whiskey, vodka, gin, martini, etc. from the list of restricted goods. For the full list, we refer to the link at the bottom of this article.
From now on Myanmar companies established under the Myanmar Company Law are eligible to apply for a liquor import certificate and liquor import license to import the newly exempted alcoholic beverages from abroad. Goods are only permitted through Yangon Port and Yangon Airport. The minimum cost, insurance and freight CIF value is USD 8 per liter and above. The liquor importing registration certificate will be issued by the Ministry of Commerce, Department of Trade . Regarding the storage certificate and distribution license, the relevant District General Administration Department is responsible to issue these documents.
The import certificate is valid for 1 year from the date of issue and can be renewed. When applying for a certificate the information such as country of origin, name and address of the company, manufacturing date and age, the percentage of alcohol, all needs to be clearly mentioned by the applicant. A company is responsible to pay applicable taxes as per the existing rules and laws. The tariff value on this imported goods is high, 30-40% depends on the percentage of alcohol. (source: Myanmar Customs Department)
For further details see the first notification no. 38/2020 which excludes liquors from the list of import probation. The second notification no. 39/2020 outlines the procedures in details for importing liquor from abroad.
The step by step relaxation of measures does unfortunately not cover yet for the foreign beer brands. The situation could change depends on the readiness and demand of the domestic markets. Until now Myanmar allows only hotels and duty-free shops to legally import beers.
Reference article links:
Eurocham Myanmar: MoC issued 2 notificiations on the import-export law concerning foreign liquors
Myanmar Times: Commerce Ministry issues foreign liquor import guidelines in Myanmar