No, distilling alcohol at home in Puerto Rico violates federal and local statutes, including the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and Ley de Impuestos sobre Licores de Puerto Rico, which prohibit unlicensed production. While the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (PRDT) enforces excise taxes, home distillation remains criminalized under 27 CFR § 1.10 and 32 L.P.R.A. § 2001. Recent 2026 compliance directives emphasize stricter penalties for unpermitted stills, targeting both ethanol extraction and revenue evasion.
Key Regulations for Making Moonshine at Home in Puerto Rico
-
Federal Prohibition: The Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 U.S.C. § 203) and TTB regulations explicitly ban home distillation, classifying it as a felony punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and $10,000 fines. Puerto Rico’s incorporation of federal law via 32 L.P.R.A. § 2001 mirrors these restrictions.
-
Local Excise Enforcement: The Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (PRDT) monitors unlicensed stills under Reglamento sobre Licores, requiring all distillation operations—even small-scale—to secure a Licencia de Destilería or Licencia de Venta de Licores. Home production triggers audits, asset seizures, and criminal referrals to the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB).
-
2026 Compliance Shifts: Amendments to Ley 120-2020 (Act to Modernize Tax Compliance) expand PRDT’s authority to deploy drones and AI-driven analytics to detect unregistered stills. Violators face mandatory court proceedings under 32 L.P.R.A. § 2004, with enhanced penalties for repeat offenses.