Yes, Absinthe is legal in Colombia, but its production, importation, and sale are strictly regulated under national and municipal frameworks, including oversight by the Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos (INVIMA) and the Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (DIAN). The 2023 Decreto 1076 and subsequent 2026 amendments classify absinthe as a distilled spirit with thujone limits (≤10 mg/kg), aligning with EU standards. Local municipalities may impose additional restrictions on sales hours or licensing.
Key Regulations for Absinthe in Colombia
- Thujone Content: Absinthe must contain ≤10 mg/kg of thujone, per Decreto 1076 (2023) and Resolución 2674 (2013), mirroring EU and WHO guidelines to mitigate neurotoxic risks.
- Licensing Requirements: Distributors and retailers require INVIMA’s Registro Sanitario and DIAN’s Registro de Importadores, with municipal approvals for alcohol sales (e.g., Policía Nacional permits).
- Labeling Compliance: Mandatory disclosures include thujone content, alcohol-by-volume (ABV ≥45%), and health warnings, enforced under Ley 1801 (2016) and Decreto 1174 (2022).