Liquor License Application Requirements and The Forms To Complete

April 2024 · 6 minute read

In South Africa, it is not legal to open a liquor manufacturing or distribution store without having a valid liquor license certificate. There are different types of liquor licenses depending on the kind of liquor business you intend to go into. Before a liquor license is issued to you, you must provide all relevant documents.

In this post, we have put down all you need to know about liquor licenses, the costs, the requirements, and the application process. Another thing you should know about liquor licenses is that there are certain restrictions on who can get the license. The application process may differ from one province to another, and to know what is unique to your province, you can visit the official liquor license website or your provincial liquor license board.

What Is A Liquor License In South Africa?

As indicated above, before you are allowed to manufacture, distribute or become a liquor retailer in South Africa, you will need a license. This license is called a Liquor License, and there are certain criteria you must meet to qualify for this license. These criteria range from the quality of your premises – the environment where you intend to run the business – to your age.

All manufacturers and distributors will have to register with the National Liquor Authority (NLA). The registration process for manufacturers and distributors varies slightly from that of retailers. Also, it is important to note that each province in South Africa has its liquor license board, and the requirements for registration differ from province to province.

There are three types of liquor licenses, namely manufacturing, distribution, and consumption liquor license. As we go on, we will be discussing how to get a Liquor License for manufacturing and/or distribution of liquor. A consumption liquor license will allow you to run a tavern, bottle store, or a pub, where people can consume alcohol within your premises but are not allowed to take it out.

What Are The Liquor License Requirements?

As long as you are above the age of 18, you are eligible to apply for a liquor license, and here are the requirements documents for the liquor license application:

If the license is required by a company, then the above, in addition to the following, will be required:

Some restrictions can stop an individual who is above 18 from being eligible for applying for a liquor license, and these restrictions include:

Having any alcohol-related criminal record in the past can also make a person ineligible for a liquor license.

Liquor License Application Form

You can find the liquor license application form on the official liquor license website for South Africa. The forms differ for people in different provinces. When filling the form, you will be required to provide information about your business, yourself, or the company. It is important that you provide accurate answers to all the questions on the form, as it will help the liquor license organization know whether or not you or your company is eligible for the license.

How To Apply For Liquor License Certificate

Before you start the application process, it is important that you have all the required documents because if the registration process is not complete, it will not be approved. A liquor license cannot be given without a certificate of acceptability and a certificate of Fire and Safety. These certificates are given after shop fittings are completed.

Liquor License Application Fees

Getting a liquor license in South Africa costs between R15,000 and R25,000. It is not possible to give an exact figure because there are a variety of factors that influence the cost. Some of these factors include:

How Long Does It Take to Get a Liquor License?

Liquor license takes up to 3 months from the day of lodgement to be approved. The length of time it will take to get a liquid license depends on the amount of work at the liquor board and how fast the inspector comes for the inspection. Also, keep in mind that you can only apply on the first Friday of every month.

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