PROCEDURES TO APPLY FOR LICENSES FOR ALCOHOL WHOLESALING IN VIETNAM

Alcohol businesses, whether retailers, wholesalers, or distributors, are all listed in the conditional business lines according to the Law, so in order to start a business, the owner must apply for a license. In the article below, LVI Law Firm will guide readers through the process of acquiring a Liquor Wholesaling License and related issues as the following:

1. Dossier, documents

• A completed application form for a liquor wholesale license, made according to Form No. attached with Decree 105/2017/ND-CP on trade in alcohol.

• A copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate or equivalent legal documents.

Documents regarding the liquor sales system falls into one of two categories:

• Copy of the agreement in principle, written confirmation or written commitment of participating in the alcohol wholesale network, and a copy of the license for alcohol retailing of the wholesaler intend to participate in the wholesale network of the applicant.

• A copy of the retailer’s Certificate of registration of operation of the branch or Certificate of registration of the business location for spirit trading purpose.

• Documents related to the alcohol supplier:

• A copy of the written reference or the agreement in principle made by another domestic alcohol producer, distributor or wholesaler specified expected alcohol for sale in line with their operation;

• A copy of the license for alcohol production/distribution/wholesaling of the alcohol supplier.

2. Competent Agencies capable of issuing licenses for alcohol wholesaling

The Department of Industry and Trade is the agency that issues liquor wholesale licenses in the Provinces and Municipalities.

3. Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: The trader (applicant) shall submit an application in person, by post, or through the Internet (if applicable) to a licensing authority;

Step 2: Within the span of 15 working days since the receipt of the trader’s valid dossiers, competent state agencies will consider, appraise, and grant licenses to traders.

• If the application is refused, a written explanation made by licensing agency must be given, stating the reason.

• If there are not enough valid dossiers, within 03 working days from the date of receiving the dossiers, the licensing agency must make a written request for supplementation.

4. Completion time

15 working days from the date of receiving complete and valid dossiers.

5. Term of license: 05 years.

6. Required conditions to proceed

• The enterprise must be established in accordance with the law;

• A liquor wholesale system located in the province or centrally run city, where the enterprise is headquartered with at least 01 alcohol retail trader. However, to establish a branch or a business location outside its head office to trade alcohol, the certification of the alcohol retail trader is not required;

• A written reference or an agreement in principle shall be made by another alcohol producer, distributor, or wholesaler.

7. Result of the procedure: Alcohol wholesale license.

The paragraph above was brought to you by LVI Law Firm with the intention of explaining the procedure for applying for a license to trade alcohol. If you have any questions or need advice on sub-licenses, please contact us via phone number 0947202189 or Email: levu@lvilawfirm.com for timely answers and advice.

Best regards!