Local and foreign enterprisers who want tostart businesses in Singaporecan open companies in various industries which are performing quite well at the moment. One of these industries is thebeveragesone, as it offers numerous investment opportunities. Fromcompanies for the manufacture of drinksto bars, young entrepreneurs have plenty of choices. The common factor for all types of beverage businesses is theSingapore liquor license.
The law providing for how toobtain a liquor license in Singaporeis theLiquor Control Act. OurSingapore company formation consultantscan offer information on thelegislation related to obtaining a liquor license. Our local consultants can help those who want toopen companies in Singaporeobtain the necessary permits for their businesses, includingliquor licenses.
Types of businesses that require a liquor license in Singapore
There are varioustypes of activitiesthat requireobtaining a liquor license in Singapore. Among these, bars and restaurants are two of the most important. Shops are also required to apply for such a license when selling alcoholic drinks. However, before reaching the stage in which they need to apply for this permit, they must be properly registered with the Singapore authorities and must also pass specific inspections.
Considering there are several types ofliquor licensesavailable, aSingapore companymust also decide on the permit to apply for. The decision will be based on the alcoholic drinks it will sell and its program.
If you need guidance in choosing the type of liquor license, our local agents can review your company business profile and guide you. We are also at the service of foreign companies that decide onopening a branch office in Singapore.
What are the requirements for obtaining a Singapore liquor license?
It is important to note that there are several requirements both local and foreign investors need to comply with beforeapplying for a liquor license in Singapore. The first one is toregister a company in Singapore. Then, the business owner must make sure that the company meets the criteria under which the liquor license is granted.
The following requirements must be met at the moment theliquor license applicationis filed:
- the company must be registered with theAccounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority(ACRA);
- the applicant (the person representing the company) must be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident;
- the company representative must be a director of the company, a partner if the business is a partnership, or the business owner in the case of a sole trader;
- the applicant must meet the fit and proper criteria imposed by the licensing authority in Singapore.
Theliquor licenseis issued by theSingapore Police Force. Other requirements related to the liquor license is that in certain cases, companies could be required to apply for more than one license. This is usually the case of manufacturing and retail companies producing, respectively selling various types of beverages.
OurSingapore company formation specialistscan help foreign investors with the incorporation procedure of a business which meets the requirements forobtaining a liquor license.
If you want toset up a company in Singaporein this field, our team is at your disposal.
How to choose the type of liquor license to obtain
The following aspects need to be considered beforeapplying for a Singapore liquor license. Among these are:
- – the beverages to sell,
- – the type of establishment,
- – the closing hours of the establishment.
It is important to make these distinctions because in terms of beverages, the company can sell beer or other types of alcoholic beverages, however, both types of liquors can also be sold, case in which the license must provide for the sale of both.
As mentioned above, there are several categories ofSingapore companiesthat can apply forliquor licenses, and it is important to specify if the drinks are only sold or can also be served on the premises of the establishment.
Then, the closing hours of bars and restaurants are important because this one of the criteria under which the license is issued.
Singaporehas very strict rules about the consumption of alcoholic drinks which is why when applying for theliquor licensethe rules must be respected.
Types of liquor licenses in Singapore
Enterprisers who want toopen bars in the city-state, for example, are required toapply for a liquor licenseafter theSingapore company formation processis completed. They can choose from one of the followingclasses of liquor licenses:
- the 1stclass public house license which is available for companies serving alcoholic beverages between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m.;
- the 2ndclass public house license which is available for Singapore companies serving alcoholic drinks between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.;
- the beer house license which allows the serving of beer between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m.;
- theretail liquor shop licensewhich provides for the sale of alcoholic drinks between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m.;
- the retail beer shop license which allows the sale of beer between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m.;
- the wholesale liquor shop and the wholesale beer shop license which is for distributors of alcoholic drinks, respectively beer and which allows the sale of such drinks between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Under the newLiquor Control Act,Singapore barscan also have terraces for which an outdoor beer house license must be obtained. The hours for trading beer in such establishment are defined on a case-to-case basis.
Setting up a company in Singaporeimplies several steps, especially if you business needs special licenses. Ourcompany formation agentscan assist foreign investors who want toopen a company in Singaporeandset up a barhere.
The 1stclass of liquor licenses in Singapore
Liquor licenses in Singaporeare divided into 4 classes. The 1stclass is made of the 1A and 1B licenses which imply the sale of beverages for consumption in the restaurant or bar. The first type allows drinking from 6 in the morning until midnight, while the second one allows consumption from 6 AM until 10 PM.
This type of license is usually requested by restaurants in Singapore.
The 2ndand 3rdclasses liquor license in Singapore
The sale of alcoholic beverages under the 2ndclass liquor license implies categories A and B, where the class A permit allows the sale and consumption of beer between 6 AM and 11.59 PM in the establishment. On the other hand, the B class license allows the sale and consumption of beer for the duration of the working hours of the company. In this case, these hours are established by agreement and can deviate from the timeframes mentioned above.
When it comes to the 3A license, the retail sale of other types of alcoholic drinks other than beer is allowed for on-site consumption during 7 in the morning and until 10.29 in the evening.
The 3B license allows for the retail sale of beer during the same hours as for the 3A license.
In the case of the 3rdclass liquor license, it should be noted that by retail sale one should understand that the quantity of alcohol sold is below 30 liters.
If you want toopen a company in Singaporeand need information on the requirements related to setting up a restaurant or bar, our representatives can help you.
Other types of liquor licenses in Singapore
The 4thand 5thclasses of liquor licenses provide for the wholesale or consumption of liquor in another place than the premises for which the permit was obtained between 7 AM and 10.29 PM, respectively the temporary permit.
By wholesale, more than 30 liters of liquor can be sold.
Other important things to consider whenapplying for a liquor license in Singaporeis that those who have obtained classes 3A and B and/or 4 licenses can also deliver beverages outside their operating hours, as long the deliveries are made to private homes.
Thecreation of a branch office in Singaporealso enters the attention of our local agents.
Documents related to applying for a Singapore liquor license
Theliquor licenseis aspecial licenseissued by the Singapore Police Force. The following documents are required whenapplying for a liquor license in Singapore:
- – the certificate of registration of the company;
- – the planning permission issued by the Urban Redevelopment Authority;
- – the licenses issued by the authorities in charge with inspecting the premises of the company;
- – the residence orwork permitin the case of a foreign investor.
It takes about 2 weeks for a company toreceive the liquor licensefrom theSingapore Police Force.
The fit and proper test for obtaining a Singapore liquor license
As mentioned above, the person applying forliquor licensemust be at least aSingapore resident, but must also meet other criteria in order to be granted the license. The licensing officer will establish if the person is fit to obtain the license based on the following criteria:
- – the person has never been convicted and is not under any police investigation;
- – the person has a good track record and complies with the conditions for obtaining the license;
- – the person cooperates with the police for the purpose of obtaining the liquor license;
- – the person did not have any previous license cancelled or suspended.
Failing to meet at least one of the criteria above can lead to the person notobtainingthe Singapore liquor license.
If you want toopen a company in Singaporeand need advice on how toapply for a liquor license, our local agents can advise you.
Conditions to respect after obtaining a Singapore liquor license
There are several conditions to respect afterobtaining the liquor licenseand which must be respected in order to not lose it. Among these:
- – the owner is not allowed to rent or lease the premises where alcohol is sold to third parties,
- – the liquor must be stored only in the place for which the license was issued,
- – the waiters serving alcohol to clients cannot be less than 17 years old,
- – liquor is not be sold to inebriated persons or people below 18 years old.
Any misconduct under the Liquor License Act can lead to punishment and the loss of the license.
What to do after obtaining the liquor license
Once theliquor licenseis granted, theSingapore companymust comply with a few requirements imposed by the law. The liquor must be stored in special places. It is also important to note thatgambling activitiesare not allowed in locations where alcoholic beverages are sold.
Obtaining a liquor license in Singaporecomes with various requirements depending on the type of license the company has applied for. As you could read above, there are several types of licenses, which is why if you have any questions related to the conditions related to specificliquor licenses, we invite you to discuss with ourconsultants in Singapore.
Renewal of the Singapore liquor license
Theliquor licenseis issued for a maximum period of 1 year. However, there is also the Class 5liquor licensewhich is issued for a maximum period of 30 days, as this is a temporary license. No matter the validity period, theSingapore companyusing it can renew it. It is important to know that the license must be renewed before the actual expiration date. We invite you to watch our video:
Fees for obtaining and renewing liquor licenses in Singapore
The application for a new orrenewal of a liquor licenseon behalf of aSingapore companyis subject to certain fees. Among these, the following yearly rates apply:
- – for a class 1A license, the annual fee is 880 SGD;
- – for a class 1B license, the fee is established at 660 SGD;
- – for a class 2A license, the fee is 460 SGD per year;
- – for the class 2B license, the fee is established 285 SGD per year.
Temporary licensesare subject to a 22 SGD fee per day. With respect to therenewal of the liquor license, the same rates will apply. It is also useful to know that certain alterations such as the operating hours of the premises where alcoholic beverages are sold can be extended.
For more information onhow to obtain a liquor license, pleasecontact our experts in opening companies in Singapore.
