Non-Alcoholic Beer Rules in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, the Narcotics Control Act, 2018 defines beer as a malt-and-hops drink brewed with not less than 0.5% alcohol, and its schedule lists liquids with more than 0.5% alcohol as controlled substances. No one may drink alcohol without a permit, and a Muslim may receive one only on a written medical prescription.
Checked on 2 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice: laws change, so confirm with the regulator before you rely on a rule.
The rules in Bangladesh at a glance
- At what alcohol level does a drink count as alcoholic in Bangladesh?
- Liquids with more than 0.5% alcohol are controlled substances, and beer means a brewed drink with not less than 0.5%.
- What may a label call a non-alcoholic beer in Bangladesh?
- No term in the Act. Customs treats non-alcoholic beer as a food import, with no narcotics licence listed.
- Who may sell or buy non-alcoholic beer in Bangladesh?
- Drinking alcohol needs a permit, and a Muslim may receive one only on medical prescription.
The detail, with sources
The National Board of Revenue's import guide gives non-alcoholic beer its own customs line and treats it as a food import that needs a certificate of fitness for human consumption, not a narcotics import licence. The guide says it has no legal force.
Elsewhere in South Asia
India's food regulations count a drink as alcoholic above 0.5% alcohol by volume, and Bhutan's tax law uses the same line, while Sri Lanka's alcohol law starts at 1%. Pakistan's prohibition law sets no percentage at all. We have not included Nepal yet, because we could not read its laws.
| Country or territory | A drink counts as alcoholic from |
|---|---|
| India | More than 0.5% ABV is an "alcoholic beverage" under the FSSAI regulations. |
| Sri Lanka | 1% or more is an "alcohol product" under the NATA Act. The Excise Ordinance defines liquor to include any liquid containing alcohol, with no percentage. |
| Pakistan | No percentage. "Intoxicating liquor" includes beer and all liquids containing alcohol normally used for intoxication. |
| Bhutan | More than 0.5% ABV is intoxicating liquor, since 1 January 2026. |
| Maldives | No published percentage found. Bringing in liquor needs a licence. |
Across the whole region
- All 27 countries and territories in one table
- What halal authorities have published
- What regulators say about drink-driving laws and non-alcoholic beer
- The same rows as JSON or CSV, free to reuse with credit
If a rule for Bangladesh has changed, or a source no longer says what we say it does, write to getsoma.store@gmail.com and we will correct it.
Who publishes this page
SOMA is a non-alcoholic craft beer brand founded in Bangalore, India, and its beers are under 0.5% ABV. Our first deliveries will be in Bangalore, and we do not ship outside India. We keep these pages because the rules on non-alcoholic beer differ a great deal between countries, and many pages online state them without a source.
To learn how non-alcoholic beer is made and what is in it, read Non-Alcoholic Beer 101.