How To Get Alcohol Licence In South Africa

What is Alcohol Licence?

A liquor license is a governmentally issued permit to sell, manufacture, store, or otherwise use alcoholic beverages

How To Get Alcohol Licence In South Africa?

LIQUOR LICENSE SECTION 23

(NEW APPLICATION)

OUR SERVICE OFFERING INCLUDES:

  • Renewal of Liquor Licenses.
  • Lodgement of Liquor License Applications.
  • Appointment of manager at Liquor Board
  • Change of Plan.
  • Occasional Permits.

1) Types of Liquor Licenses.

Liquor Licenses are divided into two distinct categories namely: On Consumption Liquor License (Liquor sold may only be consumed on the premises and may not be removed from the premises) e.g.. Restaurant, Pub, Tavern etc. and Off Consumption Liquor License e.g..

Liquor Store (Liquor sold may not be consumed on the premises.) In addition to this the law provides for a Wholesale and Distribution Liquor License (Liquor may be sold to licensed entities such as Liquor Stores, Pubs etc.

on Wholesale or to the public and can be transported in bulk throughout the country) and Manufacturers Liquor License. Wholesale Liquor License holders can only supply to licensed businesses, not to public.

Each Province has its own Provincial Liquor Act. The requirements and types of licenses as well as the lodgement procedure and documents required, differ from province to province.

2) Renewal of Liquor Licenses.

All Liquor Licenses must be renewed annually. Should a Liquor License holder fail to renew, the Liquor License will expire after specific time. Should a Liquor License expire, a new Liquor License application must be lodged. The renewal process also differs from province to province.

3) Lodgement of Liquor License Applications.

Liquor Licenses can only be lodged on the first Friday of every month. Notice in the Government Gazette has to be done approximately two weeks prior to lodgement date (roughly in the middle of the month).

Should either the notification date or advertisement date in the newspapers be missed, the application cannot be lodged and will have to stand over until the next month. The whole process of the application will have to be redone for the next month.

We will advise the applicant which documentation and information is required for the submission of his Liquor License Application. Note that we cannot lodge an application that is incomplete. Contact us for more detail regarding the lodgement process in your province.

4) Other requirements:

4.1) Property

A major factor remains the zoning of the property. Your local Municipality`s Planning Department or Land Use Department can confirm the suitability of a premises for an application for a specific Liquor License, should it be a Liquor Store, Restaurant, Tavern, Club or any other Liquor License.

The local municipality has to give a Local Authority Approval letter (LAA) on the proposed premises. The proximity to a similar licensed premises, school or church. This detail will be handled by us to maximize your chances of success.

4.2) Additional information

You can apply for a liquor license on a premises if the building is not built or needs alterations or renovations. We will lodge an application for the license from plan (on conditional granting) however the waiting period for the license will be longer.

It is recommended for time purposes that the premises are ready to trade, upon inspection from the liquor board inspector or designated police officer.

The licensee shall at all times display the Liquor License at a conspicuous place on the premises. It is advisable to attach the proof of payment of the Liquor License for the current year to the license as well as the Appointment of Manager Certificate and other related documentation.

4.3) The Applicant

The Applicant of the Liquor License must be domiciled in South Africa, have no criminal record, may not be insolvent or a minor and must be in good standing at the Receiver of Revenue, to name only a few requirements.

The application can be done in the personal capacity of the applicant (natural person) or a company however there is additional documents required for a company applicant.

In Gauteng; the licensee shall ensure that the name of the Business, type of Business, type of Liquor License, times of Business and Liquor License number are visibly written in characters of larger than 5 centimetres in height, on the front door or window of the licensed premises.

5) Other liquor related services offered:

  1. Appointment of manager. It is important to remember that a manager must be appointed should the holder of the Liquor License not be available to manage and be responsible for the business.
  2. Change of Plan. Before any alterations or extensions of the licensed premises are made, the license holder must apply to the Liquor Board for approval.
  3. Occasional Permits. You have to apply for an Occasional permit if you have an event or function. The permit is valid for the one day or duration of the event. Such an application has to be lodged 14 working days prior to the event.
  4. Trade license. In Gauteng; A Certificate of Emergency Management Services and Certificate of Acceptability from the local municipality are required to receive the liquor license (once the license has been granted by the Liquor Board) however it is not necessary to be attached for lodgement.

Please note. Section 23 (3) of the Gauteng Liquor Act 2 of 2003

Where an application for a license has been refused by the Board, NO new application may be made in respect of the same premises within 1 (one) year from the date of refusal, except by special leave granted at the discretion of the Board. It is advised that ALL documents submitted are reflecting the correct information. LiquorLicense.co.za™ will assist client with full submission, however the client remains fully responsible for submission. LiquorLicense.co.za™ cannot guarantee any application / liquor license submission, as we do not have full access to any clients information, and we can only use documents submitted by client / applicant / franchisee.

Herewith a list of documents required in order for us to lodge an application for a liquor license.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:a) Completed Franchise Agreement & Proof of Commitment Deposit (Client)b) 4 Certified copies of ID of applicant (Client)c) 4 Certified copies of Fingerprints or Police Clearance (Client)d) Signed Lease Agreement or Title deed (Client)e) Menu (if on consumption license) (Client)f) 4 Certified copies of Tax Clearance Certificate of applicant (Client)g) Pictures, Plan and 3D Layout Design of premises (LiquorLicense)h) Motivation & Full description of premises (LiquorLicense)i) 4 Certified Copies of Zoning Certificate of Premises (Client)j) Proof of advert in Government Gazette & Gazette (LiquorLicense)k) Proof of advert in National Newspaper (Legal Notice) & Newspapers (LiquorLicense)l) CV of applicant (Client)m) Business Plan (if funding needed from banks) (LiquorLicense)n) 4 Certified copies of Affidavit (Church, Schools & other liquor license) (Client)o) Resolution Letter (Written permission to apply on behalf of client) (Client)p) Zoning Certificate and LAA (Local Authority Authorization) (Landlord/Broker)q) Affidavits (LiquorLicense) 

  IF APPLICANT IS A COMPANY:a) Completed Franchise Agreement & Proof of Commitment Deposit (Client)b) 4 Certified copies of Company documents (Client)c) 4 Certified copies of Fingerprints or Police Clearance of all members (Client)d) 4 Certified copies of Company Tax Clearance Certificate (Client)(No personal tax clearance is necessary)e) Signed Lease Agreement or Title deed (Client)f) Menu (if on consumption license) (Client)g) 4 Certified copies of all members ID’s of company (Client)h) Pictures, Plan and 3D Layout Design of premises (LiquorLicense)i) Motivation & Full description of premises (LiquorLicense)j) 4 Certified Copies of Zoning Certificate of Premises (Client)k) Proof of advert in Government Gazette & Gazette (LiquorLicense)l) Proof of advert in National Newspaper (Legal Notice) & Newspapers (LiquorLicense)m) 4 Certified copies of Affidavit (Church, Schools & other liquor license) (LiquorLicense)n) Resolution Letter (Written permission to apply on behalf of company) (LiquorLicense)o) Business Plan (if funding needed from banks) (LiquorLicense)p) Zoning Certificate and LAA (Local Authority Authorisation) (Landlord/Broker)q) Affidavits (LiquorLicense)

LIQUOR LICENSE PROCEDURE:

Step 1 to 3 to be done before advertisement in gazette is done to ensure the documents are in hand to submit as incomplete applications will not be accepted.

  1. To acquire the zoning certificate and Local Authority Approval letter from Municipality
  2. To acquire the Tax Clearance Certificate and Police Clearance Certificate of applicant
  3. Secure a letter of consent from the landlord or lease agreement / title deed of premises
  4. To give Notification in Government Gazette two weeks prior to lodgement
  5. To receive the National Tourism and Hospitality association Certificate
  6. To advertise in local newspapers (x2)
  7. To Lodge application on the first Friday of every month

AFTER LODGEMENT:

  1. The application will be sent to the inspectorate for inspection to be done on the site
  2. After inspection the report will be attached to the application and send through to the Local Committee to be recommended to the Liquor Board
  3. The Liquor Board will now place the application on their agenda to be granted
  4. The two standard condition certificates must now be attached to the application
  5. A reference number for payment of the activation of the liquor license must now be paid
  6. The license is issued

Note: The license will not be issued without the Certificate of Fire and Safety and the Certificate of Acceptability. These certificates can only be received once shop fitting has been completed. Note: Time frame for issue of license on average about 3 months from date of lodgement depending on the work load at liquor board and inspectors time of inspection.

Liquor License™ can only lodge an application on the first Friday of every month with the gazette notification done two weeks prior to lodgement date as well as the advertisements placed in the two newspapers, also note all relevant documents must be in hand to submit the application, which includes the suitability certificate/ police clearance, tax clearance, lease agreement or consent letter from landlord, local authority from the municipality as well as the plan, certified copy of ID affidavits and NTHA Certificate.

Liquor License™ will complete in the online registration (Form 1) on the Gauteng liquor board’s website which provides me with the reference number for the application. Liquor License™ can submit the application to the regional office or local committee of the specific area, at an additional Cost / Fee.

After lodgement the application will be send through to the liquor board’s inspectorate who will then send out an inspector to do the onsite inspection, he will file an inspectors report and attach it to the application which is then send back to the local committee to be placed on their agenda. They will recommend or refuse the application and send it to the Liquor Board. The application is then tabled to be placed on the liquor board’s agenda for granting or refusal and or comments.

Note: As the applications are for a liquor store and at time of lodgement the shop fitting is not done the liquor board will request a final inspection once the shop is completed as well as request the two standard conditions which is the certificate of Acceptability and the Certificate of Fire and Safety before the license will be issued.

How much is alcohol license in South Africa?

The cost is between R15,000 and R25,000.

Can you sell alcohol without a liquor license in South Africa?

It is a criminal offence to sell liquor without a license and the SA Police Service can take steps against such person, including closing the business and confiscating the liquor.

Do you need a licence to make alcohol?

Do I need a license to brew or distil my own alcohol? You will only need a license from us if you intend to sell your own alcohol. However, you may need to register as a brewer or as a distiller with HM Revenues & Customs, and duty may need to be paid on any alcohol that you produce.