Alcohol trading is a conditional business sector that is strictly regulated by law to control the origin and quality of alcoholic products and mitigate the negative impacts of alcohol consumption on public health and society. Accordingly, traders engaging in retail liquor sales must satisfy all applicable conditions and obtain a Retail Liquor License from the competent authority before commencing business operations in accordance with the law.
To obtain a Retail Liquor License, traders must satisfy requirements concerning their legal status, business premises, and lawful sources of liquor supply. At the same time, traders must prepare a complete application dossier and properly follow the procedures prescribed by law for the competent authority to review and issue the License.
In the following article, Hong Bang Law Firm will provide detailed information on the conditions, required documents, competent authority, and procedures for obtaining a Retail Liquor License under current regulations, thereby helping traders proactively prepare their applications and complete the procedure in compliance with the law.
LEGAL BASIS
- Law on Prevention and Control of the Harmful Effects of Alcoholic Beverages 2019;
- Decree No. 105/2017/ND-CP prescribing regulations on liquor business;
- Decree No. 17/2020/ND-CP amending and supplementing certain regulations concerning business investment conditions under the state management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade;
- Other relevant legal documents.
CONDITIONS FOR RETAIL LIQUOR SALES
Traders engaging in retail liquor sales must satisfy the following conditions:
- Being an enterprise, cooperative, cooperative union, or business household lawfully established in accordance with the law;
- Having the lawful right to use a fixed business premises with a clear address;
- Having a letter of introduction or a principle contract with a liquor producer, liquor distributor, or liquor wholesaler.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
The application dossier for a Retail Liquor License includes:
- Application for a Retail Liquor License using Form No. 01 issued together with Decree No. 105/2017/ND-CP;
- Copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate, Cooperative Registration Certificate, Cooperative Union Registration Certificate, or Business Household Registration Certificate;
- Copy of the lease/loan agreement or other documents evidencing the lawful right to use the premises proposed as the retail liquor outlet;
- Copy of the letter of introduction or principle contract with a liquor producer, liquor distributor, or liquor wholesaler.
COMPETENT AUTHORITY
The People’s Committee of the commune where the trader’s head office is located.
PROCEDURES
Step 1: Prepare and submit the application
The trader prepares 01 set of application documents and submits it to the People’s Committee of the commune where its head office is located.
The application may be submitted directly, by post, or online where applicable.
Step 2: Examination of the application
Within 03 working days from the date of receipt, if the application is incomplete or invalid, the People’s Committee of the commune shall issue a written request for the trader to supplement or complete the application.
Step 3: Appraisal and issuance of the License
Within 10 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid application, the People’s Committee of the commune shall review and appraise the application and issue the Retail Liquor License to the trader.
If the License is refused, the competent authority shall provide a written response clearly stating the reasons for refusal.
PROCESSING TIME
- 03 working days: For examination of the application and issuance of a request for supplementation where the application is incomplete or invalid;
- 10 working days: From the date of receipt of a complete and valid application for appraisal and issuance of the License.
LICENSE VALIDITY: 05 years from the date of issuance.
The above is our complete article on Dossier and Procedures for Obtaining a Retail Liquor License. Should you require further detailed legal advice or assistance in accessing this service, please contact Lawyer Nguyen Duc Trong directly via hotline: 0912.35.65.75, or submit a service request via email: lawyer@hongbanglawfirm.com.
We wish you and your family good health and success!
Sincerely!
