Alcohol regulations in Argentina

Licences needed

Habilitación Municipal (zoning/commercial permit), RNE (Registro Nacional de Establecimiento) from provincial sanitary authority or SENASA, appointment of a registered Technical Director (Director Técnico), and excise registration with ARCA (formerly AFIP).

Authority

Local Municipalities, Provincial Sanitary/Bromatology Directorates (or SENASA nationally), and ARCA.

Documents

Commercial registration, plant blueprints/flow diagrams, lease or title deed, environmental impact approval, technical director credentials, and product hygiene process manual.

Fees

Varies by jurisdiction and facility scale; administrative processing fees apply per provincial and municipal tariff schedules.

Time to obtain

Approximately 3 to 6 months depending on provincial and municipal inspection timelines.

Who can import

Any legally registered Argentine company or individual enrolled in the ARCA/DGA Importers/Exporters Registry holding an active tax identification number (CUIT).

Licences or registrations

ARCA customs registry, importer RNE (or sanitary importer registration with SENASA/INV), and product import declarations via the SIFeGA/TAD platforms.

Authority

Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero (ARCA / DGA), SENASA (national food and spirit sanitary control), and INV (for wine and grape spirits).

Documents

Commercial invoice, bill of lading/airway bill, packing list, Certificate of Free Sale (CLV) / sanitary certificate apostilled or legalized from origin, Certificate of Origin (if preferential tariffs apply), and manufacturer product analysis.

Fees

Sanitary registration and customs clearance fees set by SENASA/ARCA tariff schedules.

Time to obtain

Expedited to 48–72 hours for products originating from recognized countries (Annex III) submitting an Import Notice; 30–60 days for standard prior authorizations.

Required

yes

Process

Spirits typically require a National Food Product Register (Registro Nacional de Producto Alimenticio - RNPA) or, for imports from recognized high-standard jurisdictions (Annex III: EU, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc. under Decreto 35/2025 and Decreto 697/2026), fast-track clearance via an electronic Import Notice (Aviso de Importación) backed by a valid Certificate of Free Sale.

Authority

SENASA (formerly ANMAT/INAL); INV for grape spirits and wine.

Documents and samples

Certificate of Free Sale from country of origin, qualitative/quantitative formula, commercial label artwork, physico-chemical lab report, and proof of fee payment. Physical samples may be requested on a risk-assessment basis.

Fees

Statutory fees established under the SENASA/SIGAD tariff schedule (formerly ANMAT tariff tables).

Renewal

RNPA registrations are valid for 5 years and must be renewed prior to expiration.

Time to obtain

48 hours via fast-track electronic Import Notice for eligible origins; 30 to 60 business days for traditional RNPA registration.

Requires a registered local Importer of Record (IOR). No state import monopoly exists. Each consignment requires customs clearance via VUCEA/SIM and an electronic sanitary import notice/authorization. Tax control operates electronically under ARCA rules. Shipments must be accompanied by a Certificate of Free Sale, commercial documentation, and age certificates for spirits requiring mandatory maturation (e.g., minimum 2 years for whisky).

20% ad valorem CIF under the Mercosur Common External Tariff (AEC) for most headings in HS 2208, plus a 3% Statistical Tax (Tasa de Estadística).

Value Added Tax (IVA) at 21% (plus advance import perceptions). Internal excise tax (Impuestos Internos under Ley 24.674): nominal rate of 26% for whisky, cognac, brandy, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and spirits 30° ABV or higher; nominal rate of 20% for other spirits between 10° and 29° ABV (calculated on tax-inclusive basis, yielding an effective excise rate of approximately 35.14% for 26% nominal items).

Private retail system; spirits are sold in supermarkets, liquor stores ('vinotecas'), grocery stores, convenience kiosks, restaurants, and bars. Sales to individuals under 18 years are strictly prohibited nationwide. Provincial and municipal operating hours apply (e.g., Buenos Aires Province Ley 11.825/15.109 bans off-premise retail sales between 21:00 and 10:00, extended to 23:00 to 10:00 during summer).

allowed

Mandatory Spanish language (Spanish over-stickers permitted on imported bottles). Must state: product denomination per Argentine Food Code (CAA), brand, net quantity, ABV (% vol. at 20°C), country of origin, importer name/address/CUIT, RNE and RNPA numbers (or import notice reference), lot number, and mandatory health warnings under Ley 24.788: 'Beber con moderación' and 'Prohibida su venta a menores de 18 años' in prominent characters.

Regulated under Ley 24.788 and Decree 149/2009. Prohibited from targeting minors, depicting under-18s drinking, or associating consumption with sports performance, driving, sexuality, violence, or success. Broadcast advertising (television and radio) is restricted to the hours between 21:00 and 06:00. All alcohol ads must visibly and audibly include 'Beber con moderación' and 'Prohibida su venta a menores de 18 años'.

Argentine Food Code (CAA) Chapter XIV: Whisky must be distilled from cereal mash, matured in wood for at least 2 years, minimum 40% ABV; Gin must be flavored with juniper berries, minimum 35% to maximum 54% ABV; Vodka must be distilled from agricultural origin, minimum 37.5% ABV; Rum (Ron) must be derived from sugarcane products/molasses, minimum 35% ABV (aguardiente de melaza 38%–54% ABV); Neutral agricultural ethyl alcohol must be minimum 95% ABV.

No dry municipalities or provinces exist. Temporary nationwide alcohol sales bans apply during electoral blackout periods ('veda electoral' under the Código Electoral Nacional, from 20:00 on the eve of elections until 3 hours after polls close). Public drinking in streets and sports venues is restricted under Ley 24.788.

• Dismantling of discretionary import barriers (SIRA) and elimination of strict foreign-exchange rationing beginning in 2024, facilitating cross-border settlements.
• Dissolution of the federal tax agency AFIP and creation of the unified Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero (ARCA) via Decreto 953/2024.
• Enactment of Decreto 35/2025 and Decreto 790/2025 amending the Argentine Food Code regulations to grant expedited entry via simple electronic import notices for foods and beverages originating from recognized high-standard countries (EU, USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, etc.).
• Restructuring of the national food inspection framework under Decreto 697/2026, transferring primary sanitary import control and product registers from INAL/ANMAT to SENASA.

The elimination of import licensing bottlenecks and the introduction of fast-track recognition for EU, US, and UK sanitary certifications have dramatically lowered administrative hurdles for foreign distillers. Growing domestic demand for premium spirits, especially Scotch, Irish whiskey, craft gin, and premium vodka, offers strong potential for international brands with established local distribution partners.

• SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria)
• ARCA (Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero / Aduana)
• INV (Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura)
• Ministerio de Salud - Código Alimentario Argentino

1. Ley 24.788 - Lucha contra el Alcoholismo
2. Ley 24.674 - Impuestos Internos
3. Código Alimentario Argentino - Capítulo XIV Bebidas Espirituosas
4. Decreto 35/2025 - Modificación Reglamentación Código Alimentario
5. Decreto 697/2026 - Reorganización del Sistema Nacional de Control de Alimentos
6. TTB International Trade Resources: Argentina