Cambodia Bans Prize Promotions for Alcohol and Sugary Drinks to Strengthen Market Regulation

PHNOM PENH, July 1, 2026 (KPT) – Ministry of Economy and Finance has banned prize‑based promotional campaigns for alcoholic beverages and sugar‑sweetened drinks, in a move officials said was aimed at strengthening market regulation and standardising commercial practices.

The new guidelines, issued in line with a Royal Government decision and the ministry’s May 4, policy on regulating domestically produced beer and non‑alcoholic beverages, apply to manufacturers, importers, distributors and the general public.

Under the directive, all prize promotions linked to can tabs, bottle caps, product packaging or cartons must cease by September 30. The ban covers lucky draws, scratch cards, coupons, redemption vouchers, QR code campaigns and other digital reward programmes.

The ministry also prohibited the free distribution of alcoholic beverages and sugary drinks for promotional purposes. Effective immediately, businesses must stop producing, importing or ordering new packaging containing prize promotions or products with prizes placed inside cartons.

While prize giveaways will no longer be permitted, companies may continue offering trade discounts of up to 15 percent of the invoice value. Discounts of up to 25 percent will be allowed for products within 60 days of their expiry date, subject to prior notification to the General Department of Taxation.

The guidelines also permit promotional items unrelated to alcoholic or sugary beverages – such as drinking glasses, umbrellas, ice buckets, water bottles, T‑shirts, caps or travel packages – provided their value does not exceed 5 percent of the product’s invoice value.

The measures are intended to ensure effective implementation of government policy, promote responsible commercial practices and level the playing field in Cambodia’s beverage market. The ministry called on all stakeholders to fully comply with the new rules.