How to renew your liquor licence

11 May 2023

Alcohol Regulations, Liquor Licence South AfricaNo Comments

Liquor licence renewal – the process to follow

Liquor licence renewal is required on an annual basis.  

The renewal date will depend on the type of liquor licence.  

In the Western Cape, there are two forms of liquor licence: a provincial liquor licence, which is issued by the Western Cape Liquor Authority, and national registration as a manufacturer and/or distributor, which is issued by the National Liquor Authority.  

Western Cape Liquor Authority

There are four types of provincial liquor licences issued by the Western Cape Liquor Authority:

1. Micro-manufacture on- and off-consumption 
2. On-consumption
3. Off-consumption
4. On- & Off-consumption  

These four licences must be renewed annually on or before 31 December.  

Under normal circumstances the liquor licence is automatically renewed by paying the renewal fee on or before 31 December annually.  

The Western Cape Liquor Authority sends out renewal notices annually from October onwards, but the onus to renew the liquor licence remains with the licence holder, whether a renewal notice was received or not.  

The renewal notice together with proof of payment of the renewal fee must be displayed on the premises, in terms of the Western Cape Liquor Act 4 of 2008 (as amended).  

Renewal fees increase annually on 1 December and the licence holder must obtain a copy of the renewal notice to ensure the correct renewal fee is paid.  If the renewal fee is not paid in full, the liquor licence will lapse on 1 January.  

Late payment of liquor licence renewal

It is possible to renew a liquor licence during the months of January and February, subject to a 50% or 100% penalty fee (depending on when the licence is renewed) on top of the renewal fee.  

In the event of late payment, a liquor licence holder will be required to submit an application in March for condonation of the late renewal and, upon approval of the application for condonation, a 150% penalty fee will have to be paid on top of the renewal fee.  

Complaints

In 2022 the Western Cape Liquor Authority implemented the Section 64 renewal process.  

If the liquor licence holder has received any complaints, Section 20 applications and/or negative reports from either SAPS or the municipality in the months between June (of the previous year) and end of June (of the current year), the liquor licence holder will receive a Section 64 Notice.  

The liquor licence will then not automatically renew through payment of the renewal fee. The liquor licence holder will be required to submit an application requesting the licence to be renewed for the following year. The licence holder will need to provide proof of a balance of probability that the renewal of the liquor licence will be in the interest of the public.    

Should the application in terms of Section 64 be submitted late, penalty fees will be applicable if the renewal application is approved.  

After renewal of the liquor licence, the Western Cape Liquor Authority will issue a renewal certificate, which the licence holder can download from its website.  

National Liquor Authority

National registration as a manufacturer and/or distributor must be renewed annually on the date of issue of the registration certificate. For example, if the registration certificate was issued on 10 May, renewal will fall due annually on or before 10 May.  

The renewal of a national registration entails more htan the payment of the renewal fee. Specific documentation is required, including, but not limited to, a tax clearance certificate, BEE certificate, proof of annual turnover, membership of certificate from Aware.org, etc.  

The renewal fee depends on the annual turnover of distribution activities.  There are various scales of fee calculation. After approval of the renewal of the registration the NLA provides the registrant with a renewal certificate.  

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