You are using an outdated browser and your browsing experience will not be optimal. Please update to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Install Microsoft Edge

March 20, 2026

Myanmar Tightens Alcohol Control and Licensing

Subscribe to Updates

Myanmar has introduced a comprehensive new regulatory framework for alcoholic beverages that will impose stricter controls on production, distribution, advertising, and sales. On March 7, 2026, the National Defence and Security Council issued a new Excise Law (NDSC Law No. 13/2026), repealing the Excise Act of 1917. The law, which has not yet entered into force, will take effect on a date to be specified in a separate notification—likely within this year.

The new Excise Law establishes clearer definitions, introduces multiple categories of excise licenses and permits, and significantly expands prohibitions and compliance obligations for businesses operating in the alcohol sector. Many operational details will be clarified through implementing rules and notifications.

Scope and Definitions

The new law defines “excise” to cover alcoholic liquor and excisable articles. Alcoholic liquor is broadly defined as any liquid containing more than 0.5% ethyl alcohol, including beer, wine, toddy sap, fermented liquor, and any other liquid declared as alcohol by notification of the relevant ministry, excluding denatured alcohol. Alcoholic liquor is further categorized into country liquor, foreign liquor, and international‑standard domestically produced liquor.

Excise Licensing

The law also introduces a more detailed licensing regime. The following types of liquor excise licenses are available:

  • Production
  • Production of value-added products
  • Bottling
  • Distribution
  • Sales
  • Other excise‑related businesses designated by General Administrative Department (GAD) notification

The GAD will prescribe the licensing fees, requirements, and conditions for each category through notifications issued with the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The GAD may also, with the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, prescribe quantities and volumes of alcoholic beverages that may be possessed without a liquor license. No such prescribed quantities have yet been issued.

Holders of excise licenses for manufacturing, production of value-added products, or bottling must obtain approval from the relevant government department or organization certifying that the alcoholic beverage is suitable for consumption.

Excise License Eligibility

The following entities may apply for licenses:

  • Myanmar citizens, associate citizens, or naturalized citizens under the Myanmar Citizenship Law.
  • Companies registered in Myanmar under the Myanmar Companies Law, including Myanmar-owned companies, foreign companies with foreign shareholding of up to 49%, wholly Myanmar-owned entities, business organizations formed by Myanmar citizens, or joint venture organizations.

Regardless of the date of issuance, all excise licenses are valid only until the end of the Myanmar government’s financial year (March 31) and require annual renewal.

Additional Permits and Operational Requirements

In addition to excise licenses, the law introduces several permit requirements.

  • Factory permits are required for factories manufacturing alcoholic liquor, beer, or wine.
  • Transportation permits are required when license holders wish to transport alcoholic beverages to another licensed distributor or retailer.
  • Storage permits are required if alcoholic beverages are stored at premises other than those approved under the excise license.
  • Export rights are available to holders of manufacturing, production as value-added products, or distribution licenses, subject to compliance with applicable laws.
  • Import rights are limited to distribution license holders.

Key Prohibitions

The law imposes extensive restrictions:

  • Alcoholic beverages must not be sold or given to religious personnel, persons of unsound mind, or persons under the age of 18.
  • Selling alcoholic beverages online or through automatic vending machines is prohibited.
  • Advertising alcoholic beverages by any means—including signboards, flyers, displays, or similar methods—is prohibited.
  • Promotional activities for alcoholic beverages such as discounts, free samples, lucky draws, or gifts are prohibited.
  • Possession of alcoholic beverages in excess of prescribed quantities without a license is prohibited.
  • Retail excise license holders must not employ or allow female employees to work at a place where alcoholic beverages are sold.

Practical Implications

Although the new Excise Law is not yet effective, it signals a move toward stricter regulation of alcoholic beverages in Myanmar. Businesses involved in the alcohol sector should review their operations and compliance arrangements in preparation for implementing rules and notifications, particularly in relation to license categories, import and distribution controls, advertising and promotion restrictions, employment-related prohibitions, and annual license renewals. Further guidance is expected through subordinate legislation.

Related Professionals

Industries

Consumer Products

Practices

Regulatory Affairs

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

February 9, 2023
Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance is drafting a circular on determining the origin of imported and exported goods. This circular, a draft version of which has been released for public comment (“Draft Circular”), consolidates prevailing regulations and guidelines on determining the origin of imported and exported goods that are stipulated in the following legal documents, which the Draft Circular would replace when it comes into effect: Circular No. 38/2018/TT-BTC dated April 20, 2018, of the Ministry of Finance regulating the determination of origin of imported and exported goods, as amended by Circular No. 62/2019/TT-BTC dated September 5, 2019, of the Ministry of Finance; Circular No. 47/2020/TT-BTC dated May 27, 2020, regulating the time to submit documents proving the origin of goods and form of the documents proving the origin of imported goods applied during the Covid-19 pandemic; and Circular No. 07/2021/TT-BTC dated January 25, 2021, regulating the time to submit documents proving the origin of imported goods under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Generally speaking, the Draft Circular does not increase the administrative procedures for importers and exporters, but rather seeks to codify the recent practices implemented by the customs authorities. The Draft Circular focuses on providing comprehensive guidance for importing/exporting companies when carrying out administrative procedures to certify the origins of imported and exported goods to be in line with current trade practices and international commitments under new-generation free trade agreements. In particular, the Draft Circular supplements guidelines on declaring origins and submitting Certificates of Origin (C/Os) of imported goods under the EVFTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). The Draft Circular also provides some new guidelines to facilitate exports (and imports) and overcome some obstacles and issues when implementing the prevailing regulations. For example, the submission of C/Os online, which was only applicable during the
Read More
January 31, 2023
Thailand has issued a regulation on advertising content—including language-related requirements—securing the right of consumers to clear and fair advertising. The Committee on Advertisement, a subcommittee of the Consumer Protection Board under the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2560 (2017) (the CPA), laid out the rules in Notification Re: Guidelines on Use of Advertisement Statements by Confirming Facts that are Difficult to Prove and Guidelines on Proof of Advertisement Statements B.E. 2565 (2022). The notification, which repeals and replaces two previous guidelines on the same subject matter, was published in the Government Gazette on January 13, 2023, and took effect the following day. Under the CPA, advertisements must not be false or exaggerative. If the Committee on Advertisement suspects an advertisement of breaching this restriction, the business operator may have to provide proof of the claims in their advertisement. This new notification clarifies the criteria for determining whether advertisements are false, exaggerative, or unfair to consumers, and also outlines the procedure and evidence for proof of the advertisement at issue. Mandated Content The notification requires that advertisements fulfill several requirements: Advertising statements must be in Thai; must be easily seen, heard, or read; and must not be misleading. If the advertisement is in a foreign language, the Thai translation must also be made available. The notification additionally sets detailed requirements for different types of advertisement media. The primary purpose of the advertisement must be to give consumers clear and sufficient understanding. For example, if an advertisement claims that services will be provided free, the services must not be conditional on any fees, so consumers understand correctly that they do not have to pay any fee for the services. Descriptions mentioned in advertisements—such as quantity, volume, size, number, or ingredients or elements—must reflect the actual products or services sold to the consumers.
Read More
January 16, 2023
The January–March 2023 issue of Asia Franchise & Business Opportunities magazine features an article by two franchising specialists in Tilleke & Gibbins’ Bangkok office. Written by Alan Adcock, partner, and Sher Hann Chua, consultant, the article provides a summary of the legislative developments of 2022 most relevant to franchisors and franchisees. The update looks especially at amendments to Thailand’s unfair trade practices in franchising, as well as the far-reaching Personal Data Protection Act, which is reshaping the way businesses—including franchises—are handling the personal data of customers, partners, and employees. The article is accompanied by a Chinese-language summary of the developments. The full article can be read online in the January–March 2023 issue of Asia Franchise & Business Opportunities.
Read More
December 22, 2022
Rules for franchising in Indonesia were first published in 1997 through a government regulation and a ministerial decree, which was subsequently amended several times. The franchising regulations currently in effect are Government Regulation No. 42 of 2007 concerning Franchises and Regulation issued by the Minister of Trade No. 71 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of Franchising (MOT No. 71 of 2019). Franchises in Indonesia must meet certain criteria that distinguish them from other types of businesses, and franchising must be based on a franchise agreement governed by Indonesian law. Prior to entering into a franchise agreement, a franchisor must provide a prospectus (disclosure document) to the prospective franchisee at least two weeks before the execution of the franchise agreement so that the prospective franchisee has sufficient time to review the reputation and goodwill of the franchisor through the prospectus. The prospectus must contain various details about the franchise business, its management, its operations, and other relevant aspects. Both local and foreign franchisors must obtain a franchise registration certificate—referred to as an STPW—from the Ministry of Trade before offering their franchises to prospective franchisees. The franchisee is also required to obtain an STPW. The STPW for the franchisor is the proof of prospectus registration, while the STPW for the franchisee is the proof of registration of the franchise agreement. Franchisors and franchisees who have STPWs are required to submit reports on franchise business activities to the Ministry of Trade’s director of business development and distribution by the end of June each year. Up to three written warnings will be served on a franchisor or franchisee who does not comply with the registration requirements. A fine of up to IDR 100 million (approx. USD 6,400) will be imposed if the franchisor or franchisee fails to respond to the warnings. MOT No.
Read More