The government has decided to grant alcohol traders a three-month period of compensation, allowing them to sell the stocks currently in their possession, as a way of avoiding economic losses.

The information was released on Wednesday by the National Inspectorate of Economic Activities (INAE), which promises to monitor the entire process.

Following the entry into force of Decree no. 31/2025, which regulates the production and sale of alcoholic beverages, on October 11, this Wednesday the government, through INAE, announced what it calls a "grace period" or "transitional period", to ensure gradual adaptation to the new rules.

"What we are transmitting is that the government has decided to give a grace period of three months, starting today, October 15, until January 15," said Shaquila Mahomed, INAE's inspector general, as quoted by the newspaper "O País".

He explained that this time will allow traders to sell the products they have in "stock", since "we have received several requests to do so, especially from economic agents who have products with a capacity of less than 500 ml".

However, this regime does not cover the places referred to in Article 36(4)(a) to (c) of the decree, which prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages in schools, near childcare institutions, public institutions, canteens and social centers.

According to the inspector general, "the notice only establishes the sale of packages with a quantity or capacity of less than 500 ml, provided that they are not drinks made from pure or synthetic ethanol. The distribution period is allowed until seven o'clock on Sunday. That's all; everything else remains unchanged."

At the end of the period, on January 15, INAE will move on to a new phase of monitoring and penalizing offenders, in coordination with other state entities.

In this whole process, INAE says it is not working alone. "There is a team made up of INAE, the City Attorney's Office, the City Council, the City Police, the PRM Command and SERNIC. These teams are going to work intensively to completely dismantle this type of factory and the production of alcoholic beverages that are harmful to health," added Mahomed.

With Decree No. 31/2025, the government aims to discontinue the production and sale of spirits and reduce excessive alcohol consumption in the country.