Sierra Leone: Finance Act 2016 Amends Rate on Importing and Manufacturing Alcoholic Drinks

The Finance Act of 2016 signed by President Koroma on March 17 this year has amended the Excise Act of 1982 relating to the importation of alcoholic drinks and the manufacturing of alcoholic drinks in Sierra Leone.

“For imported alcoholic drinks with less than 10 percent alcoholic content, the rate of excise is US$0.04 per cl [centilitre] or US$4 per litre. For imported alcoholic liquid drinks with more than 10% alcoholic content it is US$0.06 per cl or US$6 per litre,” Section 22 of the Act says. There are exactly 100 centilitres in 1 litre.

Locally manufactured alcoholic drinks of more than 10% alcoholic content, the rate of excise is 30% and locally manufactured beer of more than 80% locally produced raw materials including sorghum and cassava, the rate of excise is 5%, Section 23 reads.
This section of the Finance Act 2016 is to help manufacturing companies operating in the country, providing jobs for the people and supporting farmers grow their businesses. It is left with the National Revenue Authority (NRA) to implement these sections of the Act.