ALCOHOL RETAIL LICENSE APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The alcohol industry is listed as one of the conditional business lines, therefore, the capabilities of trading alcohol such as liquors and spirits (alcohol for short) place reliance on license to alcohol retail and/or wholesale, and/or alcohol distribution. Consequently, these specific business activities depend on different commercial purposes and customer trades. To obtain an alcohol retail license:

1. Required papers and documents

• An alcohol retail business license application form (according to Form 01 attached with Decree 105/2017/NĐ – CP on Trading of Alcohol).
• A copy of Certificate of Enterprise, Cooperative, Union of Cooperatives, or Business Household Registration.
• A copy of the lease/borrowing agreement or documents proving legitimate use rights to expected alcohol retail store.
• A written reference or an agreement in principle shall be made by the alcohol producer, distributor or wholesaler.Competent executive authority organ to resolve.

2. Competent authority

• Offices of Economis or Offices of Economics and Infrastructure affiliated to People’s Committees of districts shall issue licenses for spirit retail within their districts

3. Sequence of procedures

Step 1: The business owners submit documents directly or via postal mail, or online (if eligible) to the competent executive state agency.

Step 2: Within 10 days from the day on which the valid application is received, the licensing authority shall consider processing and granting the license to the applicant. If the application is rejected, the licensing authority shall provide the applicant with a written explanation:

• In case of refusal, a written reply must be delivered clearly stating the reason.
• In case there is not enough valid documentation, within 3 workdays from the date of receiving the documentation, the licensing agency must request in written form of supplementation.

4. Time limit

• Within 10 workdays from the date that capable executive state agencies receive complete and adequate documentation.

5. Requirements for executing the procedural process

• Enterprises, cooperatives, unions of cooperatives or business households established under compliance with the law;
• The alcohol retailer shall be entitled to run a fixed store with a clear address;
• A written reference or an agreement in principle shall be made by the alcohol producer, distributor or wholesaler.

 6. Concluding result/outcome

• Alcohol retail business license.