Public ID: PID-G3N3PG

UK secures lower alcohol content regulations in South Africa

in South Africa

Trade barrier summary

Since 2022, the UK government has successfully engaged with South Africa’s government on behalf of Scottish whisky producers to provide amendments to South Africa’s Liquor Products Act (Act No. 60 of 1989).

The amendments cover several new regulations, but the UK successfully lobbied for a reduction to the minimum alcohol content requirement for whisky from 43% to 40% alcohol by volume (ABV), aligning this to international standards.

This change ensures that producers of alcoholic drinks will not be required to reformulate beverage composition or specifications for the South African market. Doing this would have increased overall production costs and impacted potential sales due to the higher tax placed on higher alcohol volumes.

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Sectors affected

• Food and drink
• Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets

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Resolved

Yes - April 2025

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Date reported

25 September 2020

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Last updated

30 October 2025

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Public ID

PID-G3N3PG

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