Yes, Absinthe is legal in Costa Rica, but its production, import, and sale are tightly controlled under the Reglamento a la Ley de Bebidas Alcohólicas (Regulation to the Alcoholic Beverages Law). The Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) enforces limits on thujone content—capping it at 10 mg/kg—aligning with EU standards but stricter than some U.S. jurisdictions. Recent 2026 draft amendments propose mandatory pre-market thujone testing for imported absinthe, reflecting heightened scrutiny on herbal liqueurs.
Key Regulations for Absinthe in Costa Rica
- Thujone Limit: Maximum 10 mg/kg, verified via third-party lab reports for import approval.
- Labeling Requirements: Must declare thujone content, origin, and alcohol-by-volume (ABV) prominently; mislabeling risks fines under Ley 9047.
- Licensing: Distributors require a Permiso Sanitario de Funcionamiento from the Ministry of Health, with absinthe classified as a “high-risk alcoholic beverage” requiring additional inspections.
Local enforcement prioritizes imported brands, with customs seizures documented in 2024 for products exceeding thujone thresholds. Domestic production remains negligible due to prohibitive licensing costs. Violators face penalties up to ₡5 million ($8,500 USD) or product confiscation under Decreto Ejecutivo 41534-MP.