Online liquor sales – No special liquor license required

The buying and selling of goods online has transformed many industries, including retail liquor. Businesses can now operate liquor stores from home if they follow liquor and municipal planning laws. Digital marketplaces give them access to far more customers than physical stores can reach. Lower costs also encourage new entrants, which supports the national Liquor Policy’s goal to transform the industry.

To sell liquor online, a business must obtain an off-consumption licence from the provincial liquor authority. The law does not create a separate “online” licence. In the online model, the licensed office does not store, deliver, or dispatch liquor. Instead, staff use the office only for administration. They market products, communicate with clients, process payments, and arrange deliveries through the online platform.

The municipality grants a licence only if the property has the correct zoning rights. Applicants should consult a town planner before they spend money on the application process. The City of Cape Town has already supported this model. In 2016, it amended its Development Management Scheme to define “home occupation” in a way that includes selling alcohol online. This change allows residents to run online liquor sales administration from a home office.

The amendment shows how authorities can embrace technology to expand economic participation. By recognising online liquor trade, they create more access, support new businesses, and open the industry to more people.

Contact us for help with liquor licence requirements and liquor-related queries to get your business running. Since 1998, Danie Cronjé Attorneys has advised role players in the wine industry on liquor law. Today, based in the Winelands, Danie continues to simplify licensing and regulatory processes for clients.