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Attorney. Specialist in commercial and labor law. Over 16 years of experience in legal support of businesses - debt recovery, contract enforcement, recovery of damages, commercial property and lease disputes.
License for retail sale of alcoholic beverages
Licenses for the retail trade of alcoholic beverages are one of the types of alcohol licenses, the receipt of which is currently enshrined in the Law of Ukraine No. 3817-IX of 2024. The specified permit is of fundamental importance and determines the legality of carrying out relevant activities in specially designated premises (retail trade places). Licensing also helps in the fight against illegal circulation of alcoholic beverages, accounting for excise tax, and allows businesses to avoid negative consequences in the course of conducting activities (fines and other sanctions).
Who can obtain a license for the retail trade of alcoholic beverages?
In accordance with the provisions of the Law of Ukraine № 3817-IX of 2024, business entities have the right to obtain the specified permit upon registration of a taxable object (point of sale) in accordance with the requirements of the Tax Code of Ukraine and selection of the appropriate KVED (47.11, 47.25 or 56.30); for retail trade in alcoholic beverages, cider and perry (without alcohol content). For those who wish to engage in the circulation of tobacco products along with alcohol, it is recommended to obtain a license for retail trade in tobacco and alcohol.
Alcohol trade activities that do not require a license
There is a list of products containing alcohol in small quantities, for the retail sale of which a license is not required, in particular:
- non-alcoholic beer (ethyl alcohol content does not exceed 0.5% vol.);
- live fermentation kvass (listed as an exception from the UKT FEA codes for alcoholic beverages);
- table wines (dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet), as well as grape, fruit and berry wines, honey drinks without added alcohol;
- coffee with alcohol in coffee houses;
- chocolate, sweets, and other confectionery products with alcohol.
The procedure for obtaining a license for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages: key points
What documents do you need to provide?
The business entity must apply to the State Tax Service (State Tax Service) and submit the following documentation:
- first, an application (indicating general information about the entrepreneur, the address of the place of sale, a list of (software) registrars of settlement transactions;
- secondly, a payment order or receipt confirming the fact of payment of the administrative fee (made for each declared registrar of settlement transactions for a quarter, year);
- finally, a power of attorney for the entrepreneur’s representative (if necessary).
Documentation is submitted by filling out an online form in “Diya”, sending an email to the official mail of the State Tax Service or by mail with a letter of recommendation with a notification of delivery. As a general rule, the decision to issue (or refuse to issue) a permit must be made no later than ten business days from the date of receipt of the full package of documents. We recommend that you consult our lawyer for more detailed explanations on the documents and the cost of legal support for obtaining an alcohol license.
The procedure for automatic issuance of a license for retail sale of alcohol
The first such license is issued by law for a period of up to one year and is subject to renewal. The State Tax Service has introduced an automatic regime for issuing a new permit for retail sale of alcohol, which is faster compared to the usual procedure. However, it can be implemented only under the following conditions: no canceled license during the last year (for violation of license conditions); no tax debt for payment of excise tax.
What is the cost of obtaining a license?
The cost is calculated based on the minimum wage established for 2025 and varies depending on the type of alcoholic beverages to be sold:
- retail trade in beverages (except cider and perry) – 1.5 minimum wage (12,000 UAH) for each RPO per year;
- retail trade in cider and perry without added sugar – 0.15 minimum wage (1,200 UAH) for each RPO per year.
Responsibility for retail trade in alcoholic beverages without a license
According to the Law of Ukraine No. 3817-IX 1, carrying out the specified activity without a license entails significant financial responsibility. In particular, the fine may be 200% of the cost of goods sold, but not less than 24,000 UAH (3 minimum wage). In addition to financial sanctions, the business entity is also obliged to stop its activities until the relevant permit is obtained.
Thus, a license for the retail trade of alcoholic beverages is a mandatory document for entrepreneurs who have chosen KVED 47.11, 47.25 or 56.30. The procedure for obtaining it involves submitting an application and a payment document for the payment of an administrative fee to the State Tax Service and receiving a corresponding decision within 10 days. Carrying out retail trade in alcohol without a valid license is a serious violation and entails significant financial sanctions.
Contact the lawyers of Prikhodko & Partners and receive professional support in obtaining a license for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages. They will help you bring your documents into compliance with the law and quickly go through the entire procedure in the State Tax Service. To find out the cost of services and receive an initial consultation, please fill out the form below.
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