Cameroon raises excise duties on wines, spirits under 2026 Finance Law
Imported champagne faces CFA100/cl tax as government targets growing alcohol imports for extra revenue.
CAMEROON – The Government of Cameroon has approved the 2026 finance law, introducing higher specific excise duties on wines, spirits, whiskies, and champagnes.
The revised rates apply differently to locally produced and imported products, reflecting the government’s intention to tighten taxation on a growing consumption segment.
For domestic beverages, the updated law sets duties at CFA5 per centiliter for wines, CFA15 (US$0.027) per centiliter for whiskies, and CFA35 per centiliter for champagnes.
Imported products face higher charges, with lower-end imports taxed at CFA5 per centiliter for mixed spirits, CFA10 (US$0.018) for wines, CFA20 (US$0.036) for whiskies, and CFA40 (US$0.071) for champagnes.
Higher-end imported items will incur duties of CFA10 per centiliter for mixed spirits, CFA15 for wines, CFA30 for whiskies, and CFA100 for champagnes.
The impact of the new rates is significant. A 75-centiliter bottle of locally produced wine will now carry CFA375 (US$0.67) in duties, compared to CFA225 (US$0.40) previously, marking an increase of CFA150 (US$0.27). Imported wines will see excise charges rise from CFA300 (US$0.53) to CFA750 (US$1.33) for the same volume, an increase of CFA450 (US$0.80).
With retail margins likely to remain unchanged, these adjustments are expected to translate into higher consumer prices, particularly for imported and premium alcoholic beverages.
The tax increase aligns with government efforts to broaden its fiscal base as demand for alcoholic beverages rises. Consumption of wines, spirits, and liqueurs has grown steadily, making the sector a key focus for additional revenue generation.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) show that Cameroon imported 11,206 tons of wines and liqueurs worth CFA22.3 billion in 2023, representing a 14.3% increase from the previous year.
Revenue projections for 2026 stand at CFA5,887 billion (US$10.48B), with the excise duty adjustments forming part of a wider resource mobilization strategy.
However, the new taxation framework carries the risk of substantial price increases, as excise costs directly influence final retail prices.
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