Alcohol regulations in Grenada

Licences needed

Excise Manufacturer / Distiller Licence

Authority

Customs and Excise Division, Ministry of Finance

Documents

Application to the Comptroller of Customs, plant and still specifications, site plan, business registration, environmental/health permits

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Registered commercial businesses and licensed liquor dealers registered on the ASYCUDA customs system

Licences or registrations

Customs Importer Registration (ASYCUDA Trader Identification / TIN); Liquor Dealer Licence (under the Liquor Dealers' Licences Act) for commercial distribution

Authority

Customs and Excise Division / Ministry of Economic Development and Trade

Documents

Commercial invoice, bill of lading or airway bill, CARICOM / standard Certificate of Origin, ASYCUDA Single Administrative Document (SAD), packing list

Fees

Standard ASYCUDA processing fees and 6% Customs Service Charge

Time to obtain

Typically 1 to 5 business days for standard customs declaration processing

Required

yes

Process

Mandatory label certification scheme administered by the Grenada Bureau of Standards (GDBS). Importers and manufacturers must submit product labels for assessment and certification before distributing products on the market to ensure compliance with compulsory national standards (GDS 1: Part 4: 2018).

Authority

Grenada Bureau of Standards (GDBS)

Documents and samples

Digital label artwork or physical label specimens, product specifications / ABV confirmation

Fees

EC$15 per label

Renewal

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Private commercial import is permitted (no state monopoly). Consignments must be cleared through ASYCUDA with standard shipping documentation, proof of value (CIF), and certificates of origin (CARICOM certificate required for preferential tariff treatment). Goods are subject to border inspection by Customs and the Grenada Bureau of Standards. Physical tax/excise strip stamps are not currently mandated on retail containers.

40% ad valorem under the CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET) on CIF value for extra-regional imports of distilled spirits (HS 2208); 0% duty on qualifying intra-CARICOM origin goods.

Excise tax of EC$5.00 per litre (or ad valorem equivalent under the Excise Tax Act); 6% Customs Service Charge (CSC) on CIF value; 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) applied on the total landed cost (CIF + Duty + CSC + Excise); Environmental Levy of 1–2% where applicable.

Private retail and on-premise venues licensed by District Licensing Boards under the Liquor Dealers' Licences Act (Cap. 174). Statutory operating hours mandate premises remain closed between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM, and all day on Sundays, Good Friday, Christmas Day, and public holidays, unless granted a special Sunday licence (permitting 9:00–11:00 AM and 1:30–4:30 PM) or an extension authorized by the Minister.

Restricted

Must comply with compulsory standard GDS 1: Part 4: 2018 (Labelling of Prepackaged Foods) and CARICOM regional standards: English language; product brand name; generic designation/nature of spirit; alcohol strength by volume (% ABV); net fluid volume in metric units; name and business address of manufacturer, packer, distributor, or importer; batch/lot code; country of origin; and mandatory allergen warnings if applicable.

No absolute ban on alcohol advertising, but promotional activities are regulated by general consumer protection standards, broadcast decency rules, and child protection guidelines prohibiting advertisements directly targeting minors.

Grenada adopts CARICOM regional standards (CRS 25 / GDS specifications): rum must be obtained exclusively by distillation of fermented sugarcane juice, syrup, or molasses, distilled at less than 96% ABV, with a minimum bottling strength of 40% ABV (or 37.5% ABV where aligned with international standards), and aged rum must be aged at least 1 continuous year in wooden vats. General spirit drinks follow CARICOM and Codex Alimentarius identity standards.

None

• Implementation of updated excise tax rates of EC$5.00 per litre on spirits under Excise Tax Act amendments.
• Increased enforcement by the Royal Grenada Police Force against unlicensed bars and unauthorized alcohol sales at entertainment events.
• Heightened pre-market surveillance and mandatory label compliance monitoring by the Grenada Bureau of Standards.

Strong demand continues within the hospitality, yachting, and tourism sectors for premium imported spirits such as Scotch whisky, bourbon, gin, and tequila. Exporters must account for cumulative border taxes (CET duty, CSC, excise tax, and VAT) when establishing shelf pricing.

• Grenada Customs and Excise Division
• Grenada Bureau of Standards (GDBS)
• Royal Grenada Police Force (Licensing Boards)

1. Grenada Parliament - Liquor Dealers' Licences Act (Cap. 174)
2. Grenada Parliament - Compulsory Standards (No. 2) Order (GDS 1: Part 4: 2018)
3. NOW Grenada - Increased VAT and Excise Tax go into effect
4. NOW Grenada - Certification of Labels Programme at Grenada Bureau of Standards
5. Grenada Bureau of Standards - Standards Library and Technical Regulations
6. West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers' Association (WIRSPA) - CARICOM Rum Standards