LABELING REQUIREMENTS
According to Macau Food Labeling Laws (Decreto-Lei No 50/92/M, of the 17th of August, Article 3.), any kind of wine or distilled spirits with an alcohol content over 5% by volume is not subject to the decree above, but any beers or beverages lower than 5% alcohol by volume must comply. The Labeling Regulations require food manufacturers and packagers to label their products in a prescribed, uniform and legible manner. The following information must be marked on the label of all prepackaged food in either Portuguese and/or Chinese. Trademarks, business names and logos, brands should be registered with the Intellectual property Department of the Economic Services Bureau but it is not mandatory. For further information please contact the Economics Service Bureau.
- Product name
- Manufacturer’s name and address
- List of Ingredients
- Additives, if any
- Alcohol content
- Weight and Volume of the product (in metric units)
LICENSING
Macau is a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China. Although, they set local laws and customs, import and trade rules tend to follow the requirements of the Chinese mainland. Goods flow into China via Macau and Hong Kong. Most food and beverages entering Macau come from importers located in Hong Kong. The US does not have an embassy or trade office in Macau. The US Consulate General’s Office in Hong Kong covers Macau. Alcohol beverages are “Controlled Goods” under Macau laws and importers must register and possess an Import License from the Economic Department of Macau. The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, working with Macau Customs, enforces quarantine and inspection protocols. Importers are required to produce their valid and original sanitary certificates.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
The following is a list of the documents that are required when importing into Macau:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing list
- Pro forma Invoice
- Bill of lading, airway bill or other similar document
- Original and legible photo copy of import license
- Original and legible photo copy of import declaration
- Original copy of valid sanitary certificate(s) issued by competent authorities of the exporting country/region.
IMPORT PROCEDURES
When a shipment arrives and before its release, the products will be inspected and if necessary sampled. Once the product has been approved for release, a “release” letter will be issued to the importer. http://www.customs.gov.mo/en/index1x.htm
An import license must be obtained from Macao Economic Services Bureau prior to importation of alcoholic beverages with strength by volume exceeding 30% and consumption taxes should be paid to the Macau Customs Service upon application. The above commodities will be authorized to import upon presenting the importation license to the Macao Customs at the time of importation.
Effective 15 June 2010, no import license or consumption tax applies to products with an alcoholic strength by volume NOT exceeding 30% according to our Chief Executive Order 180/2010, and a declaration form (A) should be used for the declaration.
All official declaration documents required above can be purchased in Macao Government Printing Bureau. Tel: (853) 2857 3822 website: http://en.io.gov.mo/
Procedures related to other customs clearance can be browsed at the Macao Customs homepage: http://www.customs.gov.mo/ or by calling (853) 8989 4317 for inquiry.
Labeling:
You may inquire directly from them about any requirements on alcohol labels for imports to Macau; their contact details are as follows:
Tel: (853) 2856 2622
Website: http://www.economia.gov.mo/
TAXES/TARIFFS
The Macau Government levies no import tariffs. However, excise duty is levied on alcohol beverages. Certain alcohol beverages are subject to an ad valorem tax based on their CIF price in Macau, while other products are subject to fixed rates of consumption. The tax is based on the alcohol strength of the product, with the exception of rice wine. Please contact the Macau Economic Services- Licensing and Consumption Tax Division for more information.
For the most current tariffs and taxes applied to imported products for this country, please visit the Online Tariff Database provided by the US International Trade Commission at: https://dataweb.usitc.gov/. Also see the Census Bureau’s Schedule B search function ( https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/index.html), which allows you to classify your product according to United States export codes. Simply click "Search" and enter the keyword (i.e. beer) that best describes your product.
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Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau |
Agricultural Trade Office |
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Macau Customs Service |
Economic Services Bureau |
Trade/Investment Promotion Organizations:
Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute
Address: Av.da Amizade No. 918 Edf. World Trade Centre, 1-4 andar, Macau
Tel: (853) 2871 0300 Fax: (853) 2859 0309
World Trade Centre Macau
Address: Av.da Amizade No. 918 Edf. World Trade Centre, 16 andar, Macau
Tel: (853) 2872 7666 Fax: (853) 2872 7633
The information in this guide was obtained from external sources, including the websites of various governmental agencies and organizations, direct contact with those agencies and organizations, and from Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Attaché reports. Consequently, the accuracy of this information depends upon the accuracy of the sources.
TTB is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Created 9/1/2010