New Zealand Customs and Excise Act 2018
Sometimes there is so much 'noise' when it comes to reading our legislation or finding the necessary information to find out if it is legal to produce beer, wine or alcohol in New Zealand. We have worked hard to keep it simple.
Personal Brewing and Winemaking Exemptions
The Act outlines exemptions for individuals who want to make beer or wine for personal use in licensed manufacturing areas without being subject to certain regulations.
Beer Production
An individual can brew up to 100 litres of beer per month in a licensed manufacturing area without being subject to certain regulations if:
- The beer is made exclusively for personal use and not for sale.
- The licensee of the manufacturing area does not participate in the brewing process.
The licensee can only provide:
- Brewing and bottling equipment
- Kegs, bottles, caps, and labels
- Unmixed and unfermented ingredients
- Written or oral brewing instructions
Wine Production
Similarly, an individual can make up to 45 litres of wine per month in a licensed manufacturing area without being subject to certain regulations if:
- The wine is made exclusively for personal use and not for sale.
- The licensee of the manufacturing area does not participate in the winemaking process.
The licensee can only provide:
- Winemaking and bottling equipment
- Casks, vats, bottles, corks, and labels
- Unmixed and unfermented ingredients
- Written or oral winemaking instructions
Definition of Wine
For this section, "wine" refers to specific goods listed in Part A of the Excise and Excise-equivalent Duties Table, including various types of fermented beverages made from grapes or other fruits.
This exemption allows hobbyist brewers and winemakers to pursue their craft in licensed facilities without being subject to the same regulations as commercial producers, as long as they adhere to the specified quantity limits and personal use restrictions