- The Tequila Regulatory Council urges consumers to purchase alcoholic beverages only from authorized retailers and to avoid buying through Facebook, WhatsApp, or e-commerce platforms where sellers cannot be fully identified.
Zapopan, Jalisco, June 29, 2026. – The Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) urges consumers to exercise extreme caution when purchasing alcoholic beverages and to buy only from authorized and legally established retailers.
As a result of the work carried out by the CRT in coordination with various authorities, an increase has been detected in the sale of alcoholic beverages through social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp, as well as through e-commerce marketplaces where, in some cases, there are no effective mechanisms to fully identify sellers, verify the origin of products, or issue purchase receipts or invoices, thereby posing a greater risk to consumers.
The unlawful reuse of bottles, tampering with seals, the clandestine refilling of containers, and any practice intended to pass off illegal products as authentic are illegal activities that are being vigorously addressed by the appropriate authorities and all stakeholders involved.
Preventive Actions
To reduce risks to consumers, the Tequila Regulatory Council continues to implement permanent preventive measures in coordination with the relevant authorities, including:
- Information and intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
- Coordination with digital platforms to detect and remove listings involving suspected illicit alcoholic beverages.
- Strengthening inspection and product traceability programs.
- Preventive initiatives aimed at authorized producers, distributors, and marketers.
- Ongoing public awareness campaigns for consumers.
- Enhanced collaboration with health, tax, customs, and intellectual property authorities.
The CRT also promotes compliance with Mexico’s Special Tax on Production and Services Law (LIEPS). Article 19, Section XVIII, establishes that establishments selling alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption must destroy empty containers immediately after their contents have been consumed.
“Taxpayers who sell alcoholic beverages to the general public for consumption on the premises where they are sold must destroy the containers immediately after their contents have been consumed. The Tax Administration Service (SAT), through general regulations, may establish the cases in which this obligation shall not apply.”
To support this effort, the CRT encourages the establishment of collection centers for empty bottles at strategic locations and promotes awareness among businesses and consumers regarding the importance of properly disposing of empty containers to prevent their unlawful reuse.
The Tequila Regulatory Council also encourages consumers to verify the essential information displayed on alcoholic beverage labels in order to avoid counterfeit products. Key elements include:
- Category and class.
- Net content.
- Alcohol by volume.
- Name or corporate name of the authorized producer.
- Official NOM identification.
- Mandatory health warning.
- Registered trademark.
The absence of any of these elements, incomplete or inconsistent information, damaged or altered labels, or irregularities in caps, seals, or tax stamps should be considered warning signs before purchasing or consuming any alcoholic beverage.
Recommendations for Consumers
✓ Purchase alcoholic beverages only from authorized and legally established retailers, and always keep your proof of purchase.
✓ Avoid purchasing alcoholic beverages through websites, social media platforms (such as Facebook or WhatsApp), informal vendors, private residences, e-commerce marketplaces, or any other sales channel that does not provide guarantees regarding the product’s authenticity and origin.
✓ Verify that the bottle bears the official tax stamp issued by Mexico’s Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), that the label is complete, and that caps, closures, and security seals show no signs of tampering, alteration, or reuse.
The CRT makes several reporting channels available to consumers wishing to report activities that violate the laws governing Tequila production. Reports may be submitted through the CRT website at www.crt.org.mx, by email at crt@crt.org.mx, or by calling +52 (33) 1002-1900.
Consumers also have access to the DOT 360 – The World of Tequila in the Palm of Your Hand mobile application, which provides information on brands linked to authorized Tequila producers, along with educational content about Tequila, its Appellation of Origin, and guidance on distinguishing authentic Tequila from other products.
The Tequila Regulatory Council will continue working in close coordination with the authorities, including the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Guanajuato and the Office of the Attorney General of Mexico, contributing its technical expertise, traceability systems, and certification processes to strengthen the prevention, detection, and enforcement efforts against the production and commercialization of adulterated alcoholic beverages.
