15.8 Permission to serve duty-free and tax-free alcoholic beverages

Serving on mission premises

The mission may serve duty-free and tax-free alcoholic beverages to its guests without permission from the Protocol Department when an event is held within the mission's own premises, including the residence. However, the event must fulfill the following criteria:

• The event is intended for one specific occasion for specially invited guests and not open to the public.
• Duty-free and tax-free alcoholic beverages are not sold to event participants, and no entrance fee is charged.
• The event takes place on mission premises.

Serving at an establishment with no commercial sale of beverages

A mission may also wish to serve duty-free and tax-free alcoholic beverages at an establishment outside the mission premises. In this case, the mission does not have to apply for permission from the Protocol Department if the event fulfils the following criteria:

• The event is intended for one specific occasion for specially invited guests and not open to the public.
• Duty-free and tax-free alcoholic beverages are not sold to event participants, and no entrance fee is charged.
• The event takes place at an establishment that does not hold a license or sell beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) commercially.

Serving at an establishment that holds a license, e.g. a restaurant or bar

A mission may wish to serve its own duty-free and tax-free alcoholic beverages at a restaurant or similar establishment, that holds a license for the sale of alcoholic beverages. If that is the case, the mission must apply for a permit from the Protocol Department. For the mission to be granted a permit, the following criteria must be fulfilled.

The event is to be held on one specific occasion, for specially invited guests and not open to the public. Please note that events at fairs and other similar settings generally do not meet this criterion.

Duty-free and tax-free alcoholic beverages are not sold to event participants, and no entrance fee is charged.

The head of mission hosts the event, and it takes place within the scope of diplomatic activity.

In cases where permission to serve duty-free and tax-free alcoholic beverages from the Protocol Department is required, the mission must apply by using a specific form sent via email to the Protocol Department no later than two weeks prior to the event.   

The application for permission should specify:

·      the nature of the event, e.g. national day reception.

·      the date and start and end times of the event, and

·      the name and full address of the license holder of the establishment at which the event is intended to take place (please note that a name commonly used for an establishment might not be the name of the license holder, e.g. in the case of bars or restaurants located inside hotels, museum or cinemas).

The application must also include:

·      confirmation that the head of mission will be hosting the event, that it will be held on one specific occasion, for specially invited guests and not open to the public, that no duty-free and tax-free alcoholic beverages will be sold to the participants, nor will any entrance fee be charged for the event.

Missions are kindly requested to use this form when applying for permission: Application to serve duty-free and tax-free alcoholic beverages.docx

A scanned copy of the signed and stamped form should be sent via email to: [email protected].

Following approval from the Protocol Department, the relevant license holder will receive a written permission issued by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the mission will receive a copy.