Shebeen permits are by law, untransferable. You cannot transfer your permit to another person, only a liquor license can be transferred. The Gauteng Liquor Board has not decided what the future of shebeen permits is, to our stakeholders who are shebeen permit holders, we recommend converting and applying for liquor licenses to avoid any potential negative consequences that may arise.
Families of deceased license holders may transfer such license upon application to themselves or the relevant heir (testate or intestate) by submitting an application along with the Letter of Authority and death certificate.
Shebeen permits cannot be transferred under any means.
A liquor license is approved on two (2) bases or foundation criteria.
Firstly, the applicant has to be suitable and qualify to hold a liquor license.
Secondly, the premises must be suitable for the type of business you are planning to open. Some premises do not allow for liquor businesses according to their zoning conditions and therefore could lead to an automatic decline of your license. You cannot obtain a license without having a place to trade, and similarly a premises cannot get a license without an applicant.
Further, only licenses applied for with the DTIC are capable of being relocated to a different address upon application. Licenses applied for with the Provincial Boards are incapable of being moved to a subsequent area. if you wish to relocate, you must reapply.
You must be a South African citizen or be in South Africa legally.
You have to have a clean track record in other words no criminal record for the past 10 years. If you were found guilty with the option to pay a fine you can still qualify. No liquor-related offences such as selling alcohol without a license will be considered for a liquor license.
Secondly, you will need a Tax Clearance Certificate. Your Tax Clearance needs to indicate that you are in good standing (compliant). Furthermore, you must have the ability to manage your business together with a sound financial background. The Act makes reference to a “Suitable person.”
With regards to the suitability of premises, the license type you are applying for determines the specific application requirements. In KZN, you need to have a business license. For a business license, you complete the application forms and payment at your local municipality.
In other provinces such as Gauteng, you need to get Local Authority Approval from your Local Municipality to operate a liquor business. This approval is obtainable from your Local/Regional municipal offices.
Secondly, the premises must be more than 500 meters away from a school or church. In the case where the premises is located in a residential area, the premises must be more than 500 meters away from other licensed premises. On the other hand, if the premises are located in a commercially zoned area, certain modifications and special conditions can be argued that may help the premises to qualify. in certain instances, rezoning of premises from residential to business may be necessary.
Other basic conditions regarding storage and toilet facilities and more make up part of our service. These will be dealt with in detail, once we proceed with your application.
No! Under no circumstances! The liquor act determines that a valid and up to date license must be displayed on the premises at all times. This means that you must have the signed final copy of the license in hand before trading may commence.
If you are found trading without the license, your alcohol may be confiscated and you may face penalties from SAPS or the Liquor Board. Further, trading in this manner may lead to your license being declined or being granted with sanctions from the Liquor Authority.
The complete license application process should in optimal conditions take a minimum of Three (3) months and up to eight (8) months. You can work on eight (8) months as average.
Some delays with the application process may happen in the case of objections lodged against your application. In this case, the Board has to call applicant/consultant and the objectors for a hearing . the Board will then make a determiantion based on evidence tendered at the hearing.
Other delays may arise from incomplete or outdated attachments to the application. We lodge all our applications with complete required documentation to avoid delays.
We also recommend lodging an application even if your premises are undergoing renovation/restructuring so as to ensure your license gets issued on time. The Act provides for a period of 12 months to allow for premises to be completed and final inspection to be conducted.
Further, applications made by non-South Africans or persons born outside South Africa are referred for verification by the department of Home Affairs, which may cause delay in the application.
Basically, Licenses are split into 2 categories:
Off-consumption: a license where patrons buy alcohol and leave the premises. “Take-aways.”
- Bottle/Liquor Store license
- Grocer’s Wine license
- Distribution License
- Online/E-commerce
On-consumption: a license where patrons enjoy alcohol on the premises. If the license allows, food or snacks may also be served.
- Accommodation
- Restaurant
- Club
- Night club
- Gaming premises
- Sports ground
- Pub
- Tavern
- Theater
- Hotel
- Dance Hall
- Special use license (Categories not explicitly provided for in the Act, such as function venues and mobile bars).
Other liquor license applications may include/ may be made for Micro Manufacturer licenses and Special Events licenses.
Applicants who wish to host special events may apply for an Events/Occasional Permit which is temporary and valid for a specified period of time. Applicants who wish to apply for events licenses must apply at least two (2) weeks prior to the event.
As there are many factors to take into account it will therefore be wise to use a liquor license consultant to advice and assist you in how to go about applying for your license. Ensure you choose a consultant you can trust.
Once you have done this and you feel this consultant can fulfill your requirements, set up a meeting. At this meeting evaluate the Consultant and if he wants to take money from you without even asking you key questions you should see this as a red light.
Let the consultant explain the procedure and requirements to you. Ask questions such as how long has the consultant been doing liquor license applications. Ask for references and proof of applications that has been lodged. Also get proof of some approved license applications.
You must then decide what type of liquor business you want to open. You must decide between on-consumption or off-consumption. If you would like to open an off-consumption liquor business, you have four (4) choices being a liquor store, distribution license, online sales or grocers wine license.
With on-consumption there is a lot more variety in terms of new liquor license types but the most frequently applied for licenses applied are:
- Tavern license.
- Night club license.
- Pub license.
- Restaurant license.
Once you are sure which type of business you would like to have, you need to have suitable premises to trade from.
First, check that both you and the premise qualify for the type of business you propose to open.
Once you Appoint Liquid Courage Consultants as your consultants of choice to handle your application, we will ensure your application is properly lodged with all required documentation in accordance with the Act.
We will be with you every step of the way from pre-application, application phase and post-application.
Your new liquor license certificate must be printed, signed and in your possession before you can start trading.
Contact us to start your application today.
Your license is due for renewal every year. The date on which your license is due for renewal is visible on your license.
The mere fact that your liquor license renewal has been granted does not give you the right to trade as you like. Many conditions are prescribed and must be adhere to otherwise your license can be suspended or revoked. When your License Certificate is issued, Special conditions can be imposed which will be printed on the face of your certificate.
In addition there are many other conditions which are listed below:
On-consumption Renewal
The license holder shall ensure the following:
- All Alcohol sold will be consumed on the premises and may not be removed from such premises.
- No liquor will be sold to anyone under the age of 18 years.
- No person under the age of 16 shall be employed in or in connection with the sale of liquor.
- No person who has been convicted or contravened the Act in the preceding three years will be employed in or in connection with the sale of liquor.
- Sufficient working toilet facilities for both male and females must be provided at all times for the use of patrons.
- Certified copies of License certificate, Conditions as well as proof of payment of the annual license fee are displayed in such place on the premises noticeable to every person entering the licensed premise.
- That the area within five meter circumference immediately outside of the licensed premise is patrolled and managed as per Section 41 (2)(1).
- a clear and continuous commitment to the social responsibility program that was submitted with the application in conjunction with section 4(b) and section 41 (2)(b)(iv) of the Act.
- That no alcohol is sold or supplied from other place other than the licensed premise.
- That the License is not leased to any other person.
- That no other person carries on business in terms of the license.
- That any person who have any documents relevant to an inspection, produce such documents at the request of the inspector.
- Responsible trading by not allowing excessive consumption by patrons and bar staff. Responsible traders know when to say no.
- No loud or amplified music and disturbance shall emanate from the licensed premise.
- All reasonable steps are taken to ensure that noise from the licensed liquor premise remain within the walls of the premise at all times.
- Free drinking water is available at all times.
- Designated smoking areas be available.
- The Business License is renewed yearly, and the establishment stay in compliance with the Business Act, 1991 (Act 71 of 1991).
- That a signed and completed renewal application with all required attachments is lodged six months before the expiry of the current license. (In certain provinces).
The License Holder shall ensure the following:
- No Alcohol will be consumed on the premises and removed be removed from such premises and consumed elsewhere.
- No liquor will be sold to anyone under the age of 18 years.
- No person under the age of 16 shall be employed in or in connection with the sale of liquor.
- No person who has been convicted or contravened the Act in the preceding three years will be employed in or in connection with the sale of liquor.
- Certified copies of License certificate, Conditions as well as proof of payment of the annual license fee are displayed in such place on the premises noticeable to every person entering the licensed premise.
- That the area within five-meter circumference immediately outside of the licensed premise is patrolled and managed as per Section 41 (2)(1).
- a clear and continuous commitment to the social responsibility program that was submitted with the application in conjunction with section 4(b) and section 41 (2)(b)(iv) of the Act.
- That no alcohol is sold or supplied from other place other than the licensed premise.
- That the License is not leased to any other person.
- That no other person carries on business in terms of the license.
- That any person who have any documents relevant to an inspection, produce such documents at the request of the inspector.
- No loud or amplified music and disturbance shall emanate from the licensed premise.
- All reasonable steps are taken to ensure that noise from the licensed liquor premise remain within the walls of the premise at all times.
- The Business License is renewed yearly, and the establishment stay in compliance with the Business Act, 1991 (Act 71 of 1991).
- That a signed and completed renewal application with all required attachments is lodged six months before the expiry of the current license. (Applicable to certain provinces).
Every type of Liquor License has its own Trading hours restrictions and Conditions may vary between On-Consumption and Off-Consumption outlets.
These are some of the trading hours for some outlets:
Accommodation 10hoo to 02h00 every day.
Restaurant 10hoo to 02h00 every day.
Club 10hoo to 02h00 every day.
Night Club 18hoo to 04h00 every day.
Pub 10hoo to 02h00 every day.
Tavern 10hoo to 02h00 every day.
Liquor Store 08h00 to 20h00 Monday to Friday.
08h00 to 17h00 Saturday.
10h00 to 15h30 Sunday. (Excluding Public Holidays)
Grocer’s 08h00 to 20h00 Monday to Friday.
08h00 to 17h00 Saturday.
10h00 to 15h30 Sunday.
Please Note: Trading hours for public holidays assume the day of the week that the holiday falls on.
By not keeping to conditions set out above your license can be suspended and even revoked, it is therefore in your own interest to ensure that all conditions are adhered to at all times.
