No, homemade moonshine production violates Argentina’s Ley Nacional de Alcoholes (Law 24.566) and Código Alimentario Argentino (CAA), which prohibit unlicensed distillation. Authorities, including the Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca and AFIP, enforce penalties up to ARS 1.5 million and criminal charges under Código Penal Article 277 for tax evasion. Recent 2026 draft amendments aim to tighten oversight via blockchain-tracked alcohol permits.
Key Regulations for Making Moonshine at Home in Argentina
- Licensing Mandate: Distillation requires a Permiso de Elaboración from the Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INV), reserved for registered producers. Home operations fall under “artisanal” exemptions, which exclude spirits like aguardiente or caña.
- Tax Compliance: The Impuesto Interno (Excise Tax) applies to all alcoholic beverages, with home producers liable for declarations under AFIP’s Régimen Simplificado para Pequeños Contribuyentes if volumes exceed 50 liters/year.
- Safety Standards: The CAA (Article 1002) bans unregulated stills, citing methanol risks. Violations trigger inspections by SENASA and potential destruction of equipment under Decreto 4238/68.