What is a liquor sales license? Explaining the requirements for a license required for retail sales and how to apply!
Updated: July 2025, 10
Alcohol is not a product that anyone can freely sell.
In order to continue selling alcohol, you must obtain a liquor license.
A liquor sales license must be obtained from the local tax office for each location where alcohol is sold.
Please note that if you violate this regulation and sell alcohol without a liquor sales license, you will be punished under the law (Liquor Tax Act).
However, restaurants, food establishments, inns, hotels, etc. do not require a license to serve alcohol.
However, each business is required to obtain a restaurant operating license.
There are several types, classifications, and requirements for liquor sales licenses, and you must obtain a license that suits your sales method, business type, etc.
Liquor sales license classification
Liquor sales licenses are categorized according to the sales destination and sales method.
Broadly speakingLiquor retail licensewithLiquor wholesale licenseThey are broadly divided into two types:
Each type of business targets different businesses and has different characteristics, so if you want to start an alcohol sales business, it's important to understand the differences.
Liquor retail license
Liquor retail license
A liquor retail license allows you to sell alcoholic beverages on an ongoing basis to general consumers, restaurants, and confectionery manufacturers.
- I want to sell alcohol in convenience stores and supermarkets.
- I want to sell locally famous alcohol in my store.
- I want to create a liquor section in an electronics retail store.
In order to sell alcohol to the general public, a liquor retail license must be obtained for each point of sale.
Each type is explained below.
Types of liquor retail licenses
(1) General liquor retail license
In principle, a general liquor retail license allows you to retail all types of alcoholic beverages at a sales location.
Basically, we accept applications for the purchase and sale of alcoholic beverages at the storefront and hand over the alcoholic beverages there (e.g., convenience stores).
In principle, a general liquor retail license allows you to sell all types of alcoholic beverages.
however,"Alcohol sales are limited to retail sales, excluding mail order sales." and in the case of wide-area sales spanning two or more prefectures,Mail order liquor retail license is required.
Retailers are individuals and corporations that do not have a liquor license.
Conversely, if you are selling to someone with a liquor licenseWholesale LicenseIs required.
General liquor retail licenses are often used for in-store sales at convenience stores and supermarkets, but do not necessarily require the sale of alcohol on display in a store.
For example, this includes cases where a company that wholesales goods to restaurants obtains this license and receives orders at its office and delivers them to restaurants from its warehouse.
⑵Mail order liquor retail business license
A license to sell alcoholic beverages to consumers in two or more prefectures via the internet or catalogues.
Sales methods include communication methods such as mail, telephone, fax, email, and the Internet.
There are restrictions on the alcohol that can be sold under a mail order liquor retail license.
There are no restrictions on imported alcoholic beverages, but domestic alcoholic beverages must meet the following conditions:
① Domestic alcoholic beverages manufactured by manufacturers whose location tax export volume in the fiscal year prior to the publication year of the catalog, etc. is less than 3,000 kiloliters
② Alcoholic beverages that are made using local specialty products by a non-designated manufacturer and whose annual production volume is less than 3,000 kiloliters
Furthermore, this license does not allow major manufacturers to sell domestically produced alcoholic beverages through mail order.
⑶Special liquor retail license
A license to sell alcoholic beverages under certain conditions and circumstances.
For example, you may obtain a license if you are retailing alcohol to your company's officers and employees, or if you are selling alcohol at a special event or promotion.
⑷Liquor retail license for a limited period
Liquor retail licenses are issued for specific locations, but if you are setting up a temporary sales location, such as at an exhibition or event venue, you can apply for a temporary liquor retail license, which allows you to sell alcohol outside of a specific location for a limited period of time.
General Liquor Retail License Requirements
Application requirements
In principle, a general liquor retail license allows you to sell all types of alcoholic beverages at a sales location, and the license you would normally obtain if you sell alcohol is this general liquor retail license.
Please note that this license does not allow you to sell alcoholic beverages by mail order or to sell to other alcoholic beverage retailers.
In addition, when purchasing alcoholic beverages, it is necessary to purchase from someone who can wholesale alcoholic beverages (a person with a liquor wholesaler's license or an alcoholic beverage manufacturer).
In order to obtain this license, the following requirements are required:
[Personnel requirements]
The following must apply.
| ① | The company has never had its alcohol manufacturing license, sales license, or permission under the Alcohol Business Act revoked |
| ② | A person who was an officer of the corporation within one year prior to the date on which the cause of the cancellation in ① occurred, and three years have passed since the date on which the cancellation was received. |
| ③ | The applicant must not have received any disposition for delinquent national or local taxes within the two years prior to application. |
| 4 | A person who has been penalized or notified for violating laws and regulations related to national and local taxes and who has been penalized or notified for three years since the completion of the penalty or the execution of the notification. |
| ⑤ | A person who has been sentenced to a fine under the Underage Drinking Prohibition Act, the Act on the Promotion of Proper Entertainment Businesses, etc., the Act on Prevention of Misconduct by Organized Crime Group Members, the Criminal Code, or the Act on Punishment of Violent Acts, etc., and 3 years have passed since the date of execution. |
| ⑥ | The person was sentenced to imprisonment or a severer punishment, and three years have passed since the end of the sentence. |
[Location requirements]
The following must apply.
| ① | The sales place you are applying for is not the same place as a licensed liquor manufacturing place, sales place, bar, or restaurant. |
| ② | The business operations at the application sales area are clearly separated from the operations of other business entities in terms of the division of sales areas, the presence or absence of dedicated sales staff, the independence of payment settlement, and other sales activities. |
[Basic management requirements]
In the following mattersNot applicableIt takes a lot of things.
- You are currently in arrears with national or local taxes.
- Bank transactions have been suspended within one year of application.
- The amount of loss carried forward on the balance sheet for the final business year exceeds the amount of capital, etc.
- In all of the three fiscal years prior to the most recent fiscal year, there has been a deficit exceeding 20% of the amount of capital, etc.
- It is expected that it will be clear that an appropriate sales management system will not be established for the liquor tax.
to the requirements belowApplicableIt takes.
- It is recognized that, based on experience and other factors, the person has sufficient knowledge and ability to properly operate a retail alcohol business.
- Must have the funds, sales facilities, and equipment to continue selling alcoholic beverages.
[Supply and demand adjustment requirements]
Applicants must meet the following requirements.
| ① | The applicant for a license is not a corporation or organization whose members are, in principle, the intended buyers, based on the purpose of its establishment. |
| ② | The applicant for the license must not be a hospitality business that handles alcoholic beverages, such as a bar, inn, or restaurant. |
Liquor wholesale license
Liquor wholesale licenseAnd
Alcoholic beverages may be sold continuously to alcoholic beverage distributors or alcoholic beverage manufacturers.
- I want to export Japanese sake overseas.
- I want to import alcohol from overseas and sell it to dealers.
- I want to sell alcohol wholesale.
In the above cases, you will need to obtain a liquor wholesale license.
Each type is explained below.
Types of liquor wholesale licenses
(1) All liquor wholesale licenses
In principle, this is a liquor wholesale license that allows you to wholesale all types of alcoholic beverages.
There is a limit on the number of licenses that can be purchased for each sales region, and the number of licenses available is announced on September 9st each year.
If the number of license applicants exceeds the number of licenses available, a lottery will be held to determine the order of application.
⑵ Beer wholesale license
A license to sell beer wholesale.
Here too, there is a set number of licenses available for each sales region, and the number of licenses available is announced on September 9st each year.
If there are more applications than the number of licenses available, the order of review will be determined by lottery.
⑶ Western liquor wholesale license
This is a license to wholesale any of the following alcoholic beverages: fruit liquor, sweet fruit liquor, whiskey, brandy, sparkling wine, other brewed alcoholic beverages, spirits, liqueurs, powdered liquor, or miscellaneous alcoholic beverages.
With a license, you can wholesale both imported and domestic alcohol.
⑷ Import/export liquor wholesale license
It is defined as "a licence to wholesale exported liquor, imported liquor, or exported and imported liquor".
Although it is listed together with the import/export liquor wholesale trade license, the import/export liquor wholesale trade license is divided into the "export liquor wholesale trade license" and the "import liquor wholesale trade license."
Do you want to import alcohol from overseas and wholesale it in Japan?
Do you want to export Japanese alcoholic beverages and sell them wholesale overseas?
The type of liquor sales license you need will vary depending on your business plan.
⑸Store liquor wholesale license
This is a license to wholesale alcohol to its member liquor retailers by directly delivering alcohol to the store and having them take it away on the spot.
⑹ Cooperative member liquor wholesale license
This is a license to wholesale alcoholic beverages to liquor retailers that are members of a business cooperative (a business cooperative established under the Small and Medium Enterprise Cooperatives Act) to which the owner belongs.
⑺Owned trademark wholesale license
This is a license to wholesale alcoholic beverages under a trademark or brand that you have developed yourself.
This is necessary when wholesaling private label alcoholic beverages that have been produced on a contract basis by a liquor manufacturer.
⑻Special liquor wholesale license
This is a license to wholesale alcoholic beverages under special conditions or circumstances.
For example, this includes wholesale to the head offices, branches, or ministries of alcohol manufacturers, wholesale associated with corporate mergers, and wholesale to joint sales organizations.
Points to note for wholesalers
transaction consent form
In the case of either an export liquor wholesale license or an import liquor wholesale license, a transaction consent form with both the planned supplier and intended sales destination must be submitted at the time of application.
In addition, the application form must also include information on the planned supplier and planned sales destination.
Start negotiating with your suppliers and clients at an early stage so that you have transaction agreements ready.
Type of liquor license of planned supplier/sales destination
Are the planned suppliers and planned sales destinations businesses that have a liquor license?
Purchasing or selling from businesses that do not have a liquor license is prohibited.
Also, even if you have a license, you need to be careful.
Suppliers must have a liquor manufacturing license or liquor wholesale license, and cannot be purchased from businesses that only have a liquor retail license.
Mail order liquor retail license
What is mail order?2 prefectures or moreThe content, sales price, and other conditions of products are targeted at consumers in a wide range of regions.Internet, sending catalogs, etc.Presented byApplications for sales contracts are accepted by mail, telephone, or other means of communication.This refers to a sale made in accordance with the conditions presented by the seller upon receipt of a request.
A "Mail Order Liquor Retail License" allows you to retail alcohol in accordance with this definition.
I think there are many mail order business owners and liquor retailers who would like to try selling alcohol through their own website or online shop.
However, in order to sell alcohol online, you will need a license called a "Mail Order Liquor Retailer License."
Those who already have a general liquor retail sales license must obtain one
A mail order liquor retail license is a permit required when selling alcohol to two or more prefectures via the internet or catalogs.
Therefore, in principle, this license is required to sell alcohol by mail order through a website or online shop.
It is important to note that even if you already have a general liquor retail sales license, in principle you will need this permission if you want to sell alcohol by mail order.
With only a general liquor retail sales license, you can only sell alcohol online within the same prefecture as the sales point (store)..
Even if you already have a general liquor retail license, if you are looking to expand your sales channels by using the Internet, you should obtain a mail order liquor retail license.
- I would like to sell imported alcohol to individuals over the Internet.
- We want to sell local sake online and spread it to consumers all over Japan.
- We have also started selling alcohol on our own online store.Happy birthday.
- I am thinking of selling alcohol to individuals as a new business.
- I want to start selling online, but I don't know what I need.
We receive such inquiries frequently, but it is important to note that there are restrictions on the types of alcohol that can be handled and the places where they can be sold under the mail order liquor retail license.
Types of alcohol available for mail order
Obtaining a mail order liquor retail license does not mean you can sell any type of alcohol.
For domestically produced alcohol, it is limited to alcohol produced and sold by alcohol manufacturers whose annual sales volume for each type of alcohol is less than 3,000 kl.
in short,We cannot handle products from major sake makers or beer companies.
There are no particular restrictions on imported alcohol.
permit requirements
In order to obtain a mail order liquor retail license, you must meet the following four requirements:
- Human requirements
- location requirements
- Basic management requirements
- Supply and demand adjustment requirements
Human requirementsThis will determine whether the applicant is suitable to be a seller of alcohol.
Specifically, they will check whether you have any past tax arrears or any criminal history.
location requirementsIn this case, it is necessary that the sales location being applied for is not the same location as an alcohol manufacturing or sales facility.
Basic management requirementsThis determines whether you have sufficient financial resources to operate your business.
Specifically, they will check whether the person is bankrupt, whether they have any unpaid taxes, and the amount of any deficit.
Supply and demand adjustment requirementsNext, the type of alcohol being sold will be checked to see if it is permitted to be sold under the mail order liquor retail license explained earlier.
Permission application process
The process for obtaining a mail order liquor retail license is as follows:
- Submitting the application and required documents
- Examination
- Notification of license grant etc.
When applying for a mail order liquor retail license, you will need to submit a number of documents.
Once you have submitted all the necessary documents, the tax office will begin its review.
The review period is approximately 2 to 3 months.However, depending on the circumstances it may take longer.
During the review period, you may be asked to make corrections to documents or submit additional documents, so please respond promptly.
Once the review is complete, you will be notified in writing whether or not a license has been granted.
Things to be aware of when ordering alcohol online
When selling alcohol online, you should be aware of the following:Drinking alcohol is prohibited by law for people under the age of 20." must be displayed in a conspicuous location.
Please note that failure to comply with this obligation may result in fines.
Also,"Notation in Accordance with Specified Commercial Transactions Act" We must not forget.
The Specified Commercial Transactions Act is a law created to prevent consumer problems from occurring when businesses engage in mail order sales and other activities.
When selling alcohol by mail order, the seller's name, address, contact information, and other information required by the Specified Commercial Transactions Act must be displayed in a conspicuous place.
Other licenses
Other licenses include the following:
Liquor sales agency license
This license allows a person to represent an alcohol manufacturer or distributor in the sale of alcohol on an ongoing basis (whether for profit or not).
Liquor sales intermediary license
This license allows you to act as an intermediary in the sale and purchase of alcohol between other people on an ongoing basis.
The term "mediation" here refers to auxiliary acts to conclude a transaction, such as inquiring about the other party to the transaction, communicating intentions, and negotiating the details of the transaction, regardless of whether or not such acts are for profit.
This license is often obtained by call centers and similar organizations.
Obligations of alcohol retailers
Liquor retailers are subject to a number of obligations under the Liquor Tax Act.
Please note that failure to fulfill these obligations may result in imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 1 yen.
Bookkeeping obligations
Liquor retailers are required to record the following items regarding the purchase and sale of alcohol in their books:
In addition, since there are no specifications for the ledger, you may use a self-prepared form as long as it contains the necessary information.
| 1. Purchasing matters |
| Purchase quantity ・Purchase price ・Date of purchase ・Supplier's address and name or trade name |
| 2. Sales matters |
| ・Sales volume ·Selling price ・Sale date ・Address and name of the seller (optional) |
Reporting Obligation
Alcohol retailers must report the following items to the tax office in the jurisdiction where they sell the alcohol:
| [Annual declaration] |
| - Total sales volume of alcoholic beverages by type for each fiscal year and inventory volume at the end of the fiscal year |
| Report when necessary |
| - If there is a change in your address, name, or name of the store - When suspending or restarting the sale of alcoholic beverages ・When establishing or abolishing a warehouse for storing alcoholic beverages ・When the tax office requests the reporting of the address, name or title of the sales destination |
Notification obligation
When refilling alcoholic beverages at a sales point (a place other than the place where the alcoholic beverages are manufactured), you must notify the tax office with jurisdiction over the place of sale.
Attending alcohol sales management training
When obtaining a general liquor retail license or a mail order liquor retail license, you are required to appoint a liquor sales manager.
The appointed liquor sales manager must take the prescribed liquor sales management training.
Upon completing the training, you will be issued a "Certificate of Completion," and you must submit a copy of this along with any relevant documents.
Even if you haven't yet taken the training course at the time of application, you can still apply by submitting a copy of your application form if you have already registered for the course.
After that, you will usually be able to take the training course during the review period and submit an additional copy of the "Certificate of Completion."
However, as a general rule, you will not be issued a license unless you actually take the training, so be sure to take the training as soon as possible.
In addition, if the applicant has no practical experience in selling alcohol, the applicant himself/herself (or an officer in the case of a corporation) will often be instructed to take alcohol sales management training.
Therefore, if you have no experience, it is a good idea for you or at least one of the officers to receive training.
For consultation on obtaining a liquor sales license, please contact Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation
The sale of alcoholic beverages is based on a licensing system, and in order to operate an alcoholic beverage sales business, it is necessary to obtain an alcoholic beverage sales business license.
Our company provides consulting services for those starting out to obtain a new liquor sales license, as well as for those who already hold a liquor sales license, offering support that includes easing requirements and obtaining other licenses and permits.
We provide legal services related to liquor sales licenses based on the know-how and track record that we can accumulate because we are administrative scriveners who handle applications and negotiations with administrative agencies on behalf of business operators on a daily basis.
Based in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, we have a track record of applications in all prefectures across the country.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a license after applying?
If there are no problems with the documents, you will be notified that your license has been granted approximately 2 to 3 months after the review begins.
Where do I apply for a license?
Apply to the tax office in your jurisdiction.
Do restaurants, inns, hotels, etc. need a license to serve alcohol?
Restaurants, food establishments, inns, hotels, etc. do not require a license to serve alcohol.
However, each business is required to obtain a restaurant operating license.
If I want to sell alcohol only during a trade fair or festival, do I need a license?
If you plan to set up a sales outlet and sell alcohol for a fixed period of time, you will need to obtain a limited-term liquor retail license. A limited-term liquor retail license is a license that allows you to sell alcohol at a location other than your regular store for a fixed period of time, and the location, period, etc. must be decided in advance.
I have had a retail license as an individual until now, but I would like to incorporate and continue selling alcohol. What should I do?
As a new corporation, you will need to apply for a license and will be required to pay registration tax.
When incorporating, some documents can be omitted if certain requirements are met.
What kind of alcohol can I sell with a mail order liquor retail license?
① Among domestically manufactured alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages manufactured and sold by alcoholic beverage manufacturers whose taxable export volume for each item of alcoholic beverages in all fiscal years including the publication date of the catalog, etc. is less than 3,000 kiloliters. Alcoholic beverages.
②Imported alcoholic beverages
*In the case of ①, a certificate issued by the liquor distributor is required.
Can I sell alcohol over the counter with a mail order liquor retail license?
you can't. A general liquor retail license is required for over-the-counter sales.
Should I consider that Internet sales = a mail order liquor retail business license?
Even if you are selling alcoholic beverages over the Internet, if you are conducting mail-order sales only to consumers within the same prefecture where the sales location is located, you will be subject to a general liquor retail license.
How much money is required to apply for a mail order liquor retail license?
A registration and license tax of 30,000 yen will be charged for each license.
Registration and license tax is paid to the tax office at the time of license grant.
If you request our service, we will be compensated.
Do I need a license to sell alcohol through internet auctions?
If you wish to continue exhibiting and selling alcoholic beverages, you will need a liquor sales license. However, if you sell alcoholic beverages purchased for drinking purposes or alcoholic beverages you received that are no longer needed at home, a license is not required.
Is it possible to mail order alcoholic beverages from major domestic manufacturers?
Domestic alcoholic beverages that can be sold by mail order are manufactured and sold by alcoholic beverage manufacturers whose taxable export volume for each alcoholic beverage item in all fiscal years including the publication date of the catalog, etc., is less than 3,000 kiloliters. alcoholic beverages>.
Alcohol from major domestic manufacturers cannot be handled as the taxable export quantity exceeds 3,000 kiloliters.
Can I apply for a mail order liquor retail business license even if I have not decided what kind of liquor I will handle?
For domestically manufactured alcoholic beverages, the following certificate (issued by the alcoholic beverage manufacturer) is required at the time of application.
*Certificate that the taxable export quantity of each alcoholic beverage item for all fiscal years including the publication date of the catalog, etc. is less than 3,000 kiloliters.
Therefore, at the time of application, it is necessary to decide which alcoholic beverages will be handled.
What should I do if I want to sell alcohol served at my restaurant as souvenirs?
In that case, you will need to obtain a liquor license.
It is possible to obtain a license even if you are running a restaurant, but you must clearly separate your restaurant business from your liquor business.
Example: Manage the purchase of alcohol for drinking and alcohol for sale separately.
A wall separates the restaurant space from the sales space.
Can a sole proprietor obtain a liquor license?
Yes, it is possible.
However, please note that some of the required documents are different from those for corporate applications.
I haven't decided on a business partner yet, but can I still apply for liquor wholesale?
When applying, you will need to attach documents such as transaction agreements with prospective suppliers and prospective buyers.
Please proceed with negotiations with your business partners before submitting your application.
I heard there are quotas for all liquor wholesalers and beer wholesalers...?
Yes.
The tax office has a set number of licenses it can issue each licensing year, and must grant licenses within that range.
How much does it cost to get a wholesale liquor license?
A registration tax of 90,000 yen is charged for each license.
Registration and license tax is paid to the tax office at the time of license grant.
If you request our service, we will be compensated.
Can I sell any type of alcohol with a general liquor retail license?
A general liquor retail license allows a store to sell, in principle, all types of alcoholic beverages, and this is the license that is obtained when dealing in regular alcoholic beverages.
Please note that this license does not allow you to sell to other alcohol retailers.
I would like to purchase alcohol from general consumers and sell it. Do I need a liquor sales license?
A liquor license is required.
