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Alcohol Licenses in Thailand: A Comprehensive Guide
15/03/2023
If you plan to open a business in Thailand that involves selling/serving, importing, or making alcoholic beverages, it’s crucial to understand the various types of alcohol licenses available. The Thai government regulates the sale and distribution of alcohol through several license categories, and it’s essential to obtain the proper license for your business to avoid legal issues.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of alcohol licenses in Thailand and what each license allows you to do. This guide will help you navigate the process of obtaining the right license and operating your business legally.
Key points
- The manufacturing, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages in Thailand requires a licence.
- Importing alcoholic beverages not manufactured in Thailand requires getting approval and a licence from the Excise Department.
- There are different types of licenses available for activities relating to alcohol in Thailand; which licence you need depends on how much alcohol you intend to undertake activities with.
Do businesses relating to alcohol need a licence in Thailand?
In Thailand, the manufacturing, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages are governed by two acts: the Liquor Act of 1950 and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008. The former defines spirits or liquor as any substance or mixture containing alcohol intended for consumption or suitable for consumption when mixed with water or other liquids.
These acts can be further classified into two categories:
- Undistilled spirits – or mixtures of fermented spirits with distilled spirits with alcohol volume less than 15 degrees
- Distilled spirits – or mixtures of distilled spirits with fermented spirits with alcohol volume over 15 degrees (e.g. whiskey, brandy, rum, vodka, gin, etc.)
Businesses that plan to undertake the following activities must apply for an alcohol license with The Excise Department (Ministry of Finance):
- Alcohol production and possession of related equipment.
- Import more than one litre of alcohol.
- Transport of untaxed alcohol from a factory.
- Transport of more than ten (10) litres of alcohol.
- Transport more than one liter but less than ten (10) liters of alcohol between specified territories (provinces).
- Sell alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol import license thailand
Before importing alcoholic beverages that were not manufactured in Thailand, it is necessary to obtain approval from an officer of the Excise Department. A “SOR2/74” form must be submitted to gain approval from the Excise Department. The fee for each submission is 200 THB for importing for trade purposes and 50 THB for importing for non-trade activities.
The other necessary documents for obtaining a license depend on whether the importer intends to trade the alcohol.
The required documents for companies who wish to trade imported alcohol are as follows:
- Copy of liquor selling license Type 1.
- Copy of Invoice and Proforma invoice.
- Letter of label approval (Except wine).
- Sample of a label for the bottle (this only applied to wine).
- Copy of household registration of business place or lease contract.
- Copy of the ID card (if it concerns a physical person) or a certificate of registration in case of a juristic person.
- Power of attorney.
Companies that do not plan to trade imported alcohol are required to submit the following:
- Copy of the (Performa) invoice.
- Copy of the ID card (if it concerns a physical person) or a certificate of registration in case of a juristic person.
- Power of attorney.
Licenses for selling alcohol in Thailand
To sell imported alcohol in a shop, restaurant, or bar, an alcohol license Type 1 is required. To obtain this license, the business owner must complete the “SOR.2/64” form at the Excise Department where the business is located and pay the annual fee of 8,250 THB. In addition, a copy of the (Proforma) invoice and a sample label must be provided.
For packaged alcohol products imported into Thailand, a label is required in either Thai or English. The label must contain the following information:
- Customs import duties
- The name of the product
- The volume of alcohol planned to be sold
- The name and location of the alcohol manufacturer
- The alcoholic degree has to comply with the Thai Industrial Standards of the Ministry of Industry:
– Alcoholic degree must not be over 0.5 degree
– Alcoholic degree must not be less than 1 degree
Once all the requirements have been met, the Officer of the Excise Department will grant an alcohol import license (Form “SOR 1/65”) for a fee of 200 THB.
It is important to note that the alcohol percentage of imported wine via Bangkok Customs House, Laemchabang Customs House, Nongkai Customs House, Phibunmangsahan Customs House, or Suvarnabhumi Customs House is approved on a case-by-case basis.
What are the different types of alcoholic beverages license?
Please note there are different types of Licenses available for activities relating to alcohol in Thailand. The Licenses are as follows:
License Type 1
For the import and sale of more than 10 litres/time of alcohol not manufactured in Thailand/wholesale.
License Type 2
For businesses who plan to sell more than 10 litres/time of alcohol manufactured in Thailand/wholesale.
License Type 3
For businesses that plan to sell less than 10 litres per time of alcohol not manufactured in Thailand/retail.
License Type 4
For businesses that will sell less than 10 litres per time of alcohol manufactured in Thailand/retail.
License Type 5
For businesses who intend to sell less than 10 litres of alcohol not manufactured in Thailand to drink at the selling place. Please note that this License is only temporary (not more than 10 days).
License Type 6
To be obtained for the sale of alcohol manufactured in Thailand of less than 10 liters. Please note that this is a temporary licence that can only be used for 10 days.
License Type 7
To be obtained by associations or clubhouses that sell alcohol.
Do you need an Alcohol License to produce/make alcohol in Thailand?
Yes, in Thailand, you need a license to make or produce alcohol. The type of license required depends on the type of alcohol you want to produce and the volume of production.
You must obtain a license from the Excise Department to produce beer or fermented beverages. You can apply for a microbrewery license if you plan to produce less than 100,000 liters of beer per year or a brewery license if you plan to produce more.
You must obtain a license from the Ministry of Industry to produce distilled spirits. The license requirements for distilled spirits production are more stringent than for beer or fermented beverages.
It’s essential to note that producing alcohol without a license is illegal in Thailand and can result in fines and imprisonment. It’s best to consult with local authorities and obtain the necessary licenses before beginning alcohol production activities.
How can Belaws help?
If you have a question about alcohol licences in Thailand, please speak directly with one of our experts.
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Our consultations last for a period of up to 1 hour and are conducted by expert Lawyers who are fluent in English, French and Thai.
Consultations can be hosted via WhatsApp or Video Conferencing software for your convenience. A consultation with one of our legal experts is undoubtedly the best way to get all the information you need and answer any questions you may have about your new business or project.
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Frequently asked questions
What is alcohol licensing conditions in Thailand?
The alcohol licensing conditions in Thailand are governed by the Alcohol Control Act. The article provides a brief overview of the act and some of its provisions.
How do I get an alcohol license in Thailand?
To get an alcohol license in Thailand, the article suggests contacting the Excise Department or a legal professional for more information.
What are the three types of licensing categories in Thailand?
The three types of licensing categories mentioned in the article are: retail licenses, wholesale licenses, and manufacturing licenses.
What are the 4 classification of alcoholic beverages?
The four classifications of alcoholic beverages are: beer, wine, spirits, and other fermented beverages.
What is the Alcohol Control Act?
The Alcohol Control Act is the primary law governing alcohol licensing and sales in Thailand. The article provides some basic information about the act, but does not go into great detail.
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