Are you thinking of setting up a business in Thailand’s Food and Beverage industry? Depending on your business model, you may be required to secure an alcohol license to ensure that your operations are legal. This article will provide an overview of the key industries requiring an alcohol license in Thailand, along with a step-by-step breakdown of the licensing requirements and application process.
Overview of Alcohol Licensing Regulations in Thailand
What is an alcohol license in Thailand and what does it allow?
Whether you are serving drinks in a restaurant or company party, or importing alcohol for distribution, you will need to obtain an alcohol license for legal compliance. This extends to various situations and industries, such as:
- Selling alcohol at venues such as restaurants, bars, and hotels.
- Offering alcohol at events or functions.
- Advertising alcoholic beverages.
- Manufacturing or importing alcohol for commercial purposes.
The alcohol license in Thailand is issued by the Excise Department, allowing businesses to legally manufacture, import, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. The primary purpose of these licenses is to regulate the alcohol industry, ensure compliance with Thai laws, and protect public health and safety.
Operating without the proper alcohol license or failing to comply with regulations can result in severe consequences, including hefty fines, imprisonment, business closure, or revocation of other business permits.
Industries and Businesses Requiring Alcohol Licenses to Operate
The scope of businesses requiring alcohol licenses in Thailand is broad, covering industries beyond the obvious bars and restaurants. Several industries in Thailand that require alcohol licenses to operate legally include:
- Food and beverages (F&B) companies selling alcohol in restaurants or bars.
- Hospitality businesses with alcohol sales such as hotels, resorts, and event spaces.
- Event management companies providing alcohol at functions, parties, or festivals.
- Pharmaceutical companies using alcohol for medicinal or scientific purposes.
- Import/export businesses dealing with alcohol trade across borders.
Securing the right alcohol license for your company in Thailand
Types of Alcohol Licenses in Thailand
Thailand offers different types of alcohol licenses, catering to specific business needs and activities. If you are planning for alcohol sales or provision with your business, you must ensure operational compliance with local regulations by securing the correct type of license.
Keep in mind that you must demonstrate that the sale of alcohol by your company is exclusively used for specific consumer groups (association/club members or the general public). If your organization is unsure about the type of license needed for your intended activities, Emerhub can help you assess specific requirements and assist you through the application process.
| License Type | Description | Required Documents |
| License Type 1 Wholesale Import and Sale License | – Deals with import and sale of more than 10 liters at a time, of alcohol not manufactured in Thailand | – Completed Sor 2/64 application form. – Documents for physical persons: Copy of ID and household registration of trader or lease contract. – Documents for juristic persons: Copy of relevant certificate to verify their jurisdiction, copy of director’s ID, power of attorney. – For type 1 and type 2 licenses, provide a map of the business location and a letter for liquor stock examination. |
| License Type 2 Wholesale of Locally Manufactured Alcohol | – Same as the above for locally manufactured alcohol. | |
| License Type 3 Retail Sale of Imported Alcohol | – For retail outlets selling imported alcohol of less than 10 liters at a time. | |
| License Type 4 Retail Sale of Locally Manufactured Alcohol | – Same as the above for locally manufactured alcohol. | |
| License Type 5 Temporary Retail Sale of Imported Alcohol | – Deals with selling imported alcohol of less than 10 liters at the selling place temporarily (not more than 10 days). | |
| License Type 6 Temporary Retail Sale of Locally Manufactured Alcohol | – Same as the above but for the sale of locally produced alcohol. | |
| License Type 7 Association or Clubhouse Alcohol Sale | – For non-commercial organizations serving alcohol to members, such as clubs, associations, and nonprofit organizations. | – Completed Sor 2/64 application form. – Copy of certificate of association. – Copy of director’s ID card. – Power of attorney. |
How to apply for your alcohol license in Thailand
To obtain any type of alcohol license in Thailand, you must first register your company and secure the Certificate of Incorporation from the Ministry of Commerce. After that, you can proceed to secure all mandatory operational licenses, including your alcohol license. Emerhub can help you navigate the entire process through our comprehensive company registration service:
1. Company Registration: This is essential for non-Thai nationals to legally sell or distribute alcohol and often involves setting up a private limited company.
2. Document Preparation and Submission: You will need to compile, certify, and translate all mandatory documents and permits. Submission is then made along with the completed Sor 2/64 application form to the local Excise Department office.
3. Local Inspection: Officials will liaise with your representative to conduct an on-site inspection and ensure your compliance with local regulations.
4. Fee Payment: Payment is made to the Excise Ministry with varying fees depending on the license type.
5. License Issuance and Renewal: It takes up to two days for approval and issuance of new licenses. All licenses also have validity periods for one year and are subject to annual renewals.
This process may require correspondence with relevant authorities like the local Excise Department at your business location and the Ministry of Commerce. With partnership from Emerhub, we can handle all official communications and monitor local regulatory changes to ensure your business remains fully compliant.
Import Regulations for Alcohol in Thailand
Alcohol imports are subject to strict regulations in Thailand, including excise tax compliance, labeling standards, and licensing requirements. Below you’ll find the main steps that you must follow to import alcohol into Thailand:
1. Importer Registration: Register your business as an official alcohol importer and apply for a an import license
2. Product Label Approval: Submit samples to ensure labels meet Thai regulations standards, including language and content requirements.
3. Excise Tax Registration: All imported alcohol is subject to excise duties based on its license type and alcohol content.
4. Customs Clearance: Provide invoices, shipping documents, and import permits for customs processing.
Note that:
- The Sor 2/74 form is mandatory for importing alcohol for trade purposes while the Por Sor 01-01 form is for your excise tax registration.
If you want to avoid delays and complex compliance regulations, you can also partner with Emerhub’s Importer of Record service. Our team already holds the necessary import licenses, and you can ship your goods through our own certified logistics network. We’ll manage the entire process, from pickup to delivery. It also allows you to start importing virtually immediately.
Need help securing the right alcohol licenses in Thailand? Fill out the form below, and our local experts will kickstart the process for you!
