Distillers Alcohol regulations in Liechtenstein
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Liechtenstein, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched October 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in October 2026 from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page. Duty rates, fees and rules change often: confirm with the regulator, a customs broker or local counsel before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Status
- Legal
- Legal drinking age
- 16 for beer, wine, and cider; 18 for spirits and alcopops
- Legal purchase age
- 16 for beer, wine, and cider; 18 for spirits and alcopops
Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Distillery concession (Gewerbebrennerei / Lohnbrennerei concession) from BAZG and commercial operating license (Gewerbebewilligung) from Amt für Volkswirtschaft
- Authority
- Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) / Liechtenstein Amt für Volkswirtschaft
- Documents
- Business registration documentation, technical layout and capacity details of distillation equipment, premises lease/ownership records, and criminal record extracts of company directors
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Commercial businesses and individuals (within traveller personal allowances)
- Licences or registrations
- No import license or import authorisation is required for spirits. Commercial importers must maintain an electronic customs account (ZAZ) or clear directly, and register in the spirits register if operating under duty suspension
- Authority
- Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG)
- Documents
- Commercial invoice, transport documentation, electronic customs declaration (e-dec / Passar), and movement/origin certificates where applicable
- Fees
- None for import permission (system access and standard clearance transaction fees apply)
- Time to obtain
- Immediate upon processing of electronic customs declaration
Product and label registration
- Required
- no
- Process
- There is no pre-market brand or label approval requirement. Importers and food business operators are subject to self-control (Selbstkontrolle) and post-market surveillance by food safety inspectors
- Authority
- Amt für Lebensmittelkontrolle und Veterinärwesen (ALKVW)
Import rules
Liechtenstein forms a single customs union with Switzerland; no border controls exist between them. Customs declarations are processed electronically via Swiss customs systems (Passar / e-dec). No state import monopoly or quota applies to distilled spirits under HS 2208. Spirits may move under duty suspension to an authorised tax warehouse (Steuerlager). No physical excise stamps or strip stamps are required on containers.
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
CHF 0.00 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein abolished customs duties on industrial products effective 1 January 2024; most HS 2208 spirits enter duty-free regardless of origin, though agricultural or tariff-rate specific lines must be verified via TARES)
Excise and taxes
Spirits tax (Alkoholsteuer) is CHF 29.00 per litre of pure alcohol (100% vol); alcopops are taxed at CHF 116.00 per litre of pure alcohol. Standard Value Added Tax (VAT / MWST) is 8.1% (aligned with Swiss VAT rates).
Retail and distribution
Private retail (supermarkets, bottle shops) and licensed gastronomy/bars are permitted. Sale of spirits requires a retail license/concession (Kleinhandelsbewilligung / Gewerbebewilligung mit Kleinhandel). On- and off-premise sales are strictly prohibited to individuals under 18 years of age.
Online sale and delivery
Allowed, provided the retailer holds an appropriate retail license (Kleinhandelsbewilligung) and employs reliable age verification measures ensuring spirits are delivered strictly to persons aged 18 or older.
Labelling
Labels must comply with Swiss food information ordinances and EEA food law: product denomination, nominal volume, alcoholic strength (% vol), lot identification, and name/address of manufacturer, packager, or seller established in Switzerland or the EEA. Information must be in an official Swiss national language (German is standard in Liechtenstein). Health warning statements and tax stamps are not mandatory.
Advertising
Advertising for spirits is strictly restricted under Art. 42b of the Swiss Alcohol Act and Liechtenstein media legislation: advertisements may only state objective product characteristics (no lifestyle, performance, or emotional imagery); price comparisons, promotional discounts, and free tastings/giveaways are barred; advertising on radio, television, public transport, sports facilities, and events aimed at minors is prohibited.
Legal definitions of spirits
Liechtenstein applies standards of identity aligned with Swiss food regulation and EU Regulation (EU) 2019/787 via EEA incorporation. Minimum ABV standards include: whisky 40%, rum 37.5%, vodka 37.5%, gin 37.5%, and brandy 36%.
Dry or restricted areas
None
Recent changes
- Abolition of Swiss/Liechtenstein customs duties on industrial goods effective 1 January 2024, eliminating general tariffs on covered spirit lines.
- Increase of the standard Value Added Tax (VAT) rate from 7.7% to 8.1% on 1 January 2024.
- Ongoing deployment of the Swiss Federal customs digital platform 'Passar' replacing the legacy e-dec declaration system for goods transport.
Opportunities for exporters
Liechtenstein is a very high-income, boutique market completely integrated into the Swiss customs territory with zero import license barriers for distilled spirits. High demand exists for super-premium, artisanal, and craft spirits distributed through specialized Swiss-Liechtenstein beverage distributors and luxury dining establishments.
Regulators
Sources
Selling into Liechtenstein or buying from it?