Legislation on home distillation

The legal framework for the production of spirits is defined by Act No. 61/1997 Coll., on alcohol.

The Alcohol Act also specifies:

raw materials from which alcohol may be produced
limits on the quantity of alcohol produced
record-keeping requirements
technical requirements for distillation equipment
processes for measuring and improving alcohol quality
storage of alcohol and other reporting obligations

More detailed information can be found in the following documents:
Decree No. 141/1997
Decree No. 150/2008
Act No. 61/1997

The distribution or transfer of distillation equipment requires a notification obligation. 

For fruit distillation, a permit is issued by the Ministry of Agriculture based on a written application containing a description and technical documentation.

 

 

Sample notification document:

Notification of relocation of distillation equipment 

On ……………………….. I purchased distillation equipment of type ………………. with a boiler capacity of ... liters from the company Smarthink trade and consulting, s.r.o.

The equipment is located at the address …………………………………………………………………. 

The equipment will be used for ………………………………….. 

Full name – …………………………………… 

Address – …………………………………………………

  

In …………………. on …………………………. Signature ………………….

When reporting distillation equipment, it is necessary to provide information about the date of acquisition, its type and capacity, the address where it is located, the purpose of use (for example for hydrolate production, beeswax processing, water distillation, decorative purposes, or if the equipment will not be used), and the personal details of the owner.

Home production of alcohol is illegal in the Czech Republic. However, in neighboring countries the legislation is often more lenient, which allows transport and use of distillation equipment for spirit production there.

The completed notification form must be sent by email or via a data mailbox to the relevant customs office. Contact details can be found on the website of the Czech Customs Administration. The competent customs office is determined by the region where the equipment is located.

If the distillation equipment is to be used for alcohol production under a trade license, it is necessary to inform the Ministry of Agriculture.

After completing these steps, all legal obligations regarding distillation equipment in the Czech Republic should be fulfilled.