Arakan Army opens foreign alcohol import permits in Rakhine State as market prices soar

The Arakan Army (AA) has officially invited local merchants to apply for import permits to bring foreign alcohol brands into the 14 townships under its administration in Arakan State before Aug. 20. The permits, which carry an application fee of 30,000 MMK ($6.90 USD) per businessperson, will be valid from August through December. The permit scheme applies specifically to foreign alcohol brands sourced from the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Regulatory background and tax policy The initiative marks the latest shift in the ethnic armed group’s regulation of commercial goods across its territory: Spiraling market prices Local residents and traders report that the prices of liquor, beer, and spirits across Arakan State have increased fivefold since April due to supply shortages and border blockades. Territorial & strategic control The administrative move reflects the AA’s strong consolidation of power across western Myanmar following its offensive launched on Nov. 13, 2023: