OBTAINING A LICENSE TO TRADE BEER ✅ BUSINESS ✅ SERVICES

A description of the situation, which disturbs the legal analysis, is carried out.
The circumstances of the case, the presence or absence of documents relevant to the situation are established.
A full oral communication is conducted in order to establish all the necessary circumstances of the case.
The client's expectations regarding the results of service provision are established.
An analysis of the current legislation that regulates the problem is carried out.
An analysis of judicial practice regarding this issue is carried out.
The lawyer's personal experience in solving such or similar problems is described.
The conclusion is described, in which a conclusion is given regarding the impossibility of solving the problem or ways to solve the problem.
Each way to solve the problem is described separately and is formed in the form of a table indicating the specific actions of the specialist, the term of the service as a whole and each stage separately (if the service consists of stages), the result of the provision of the service or stage, as well as the price of the service or stage.

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Obtaining a beer trade licence in Ukraine: legal considerations

Beer trade, despite its popularity and relative ease of implementation, requires compliance with strict legal regulations. Since 1 July 2015, beer has been officially recognised as an alcoholic beverage in Ukraine, and its sale is subject to state regulation. The main document regulating this process is the Law of Ukraine ‘On State Regulation of Production and Circulation of Ethyl Alcohol, Alcohol Distillates, Bioethanol, Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco Products, Tobacco Raw Materials, Liquids Used in Electronic Cigarettes and Fuel’. To legally sell beer, an entrepreneur must obtain a licence for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages.

General requirements for beer trade and licence

Before you start applying for a licence, you need to assess whether your business activity is subject to licensing. The law obliges all persons engaged in the retail sale of beer to obtain a licence, regardless of the form of ownership of the company - individual entrepreneur (IE) or legal entity.

A beer licence is granted for each individual outlet where beer is sold and is valid for one year. There is a list of mandatory requirements for the place of sale.

Before submitting the documents, you should make sure that your outlet meets all the requirements. This will help you avoid being denied a beer licence and sanctions in the future. The main conditions include:

Availability of a permanent premises (exceptions are temporary structures with the permission of the local council).
Installing and registering a cash register or software cash register.
Legal grounds for using the premises (lease agreement or property documents).

The procedure for obtaining a license to trade beer

To obtain a licence, you need to go through a procedure clearly defined by law. It includes both the preparation of a package of documents and submission to the relevant regulatory authority.

Before submitting your application, make sure you have all the necessary documentation, otherwise it may be grounds for refusal. You need to prepare: an application in the prescribed form; a copy of the document confirming the payment of the licence fee; a copy of the lease agreement or a document on the ownership of the outlet; a certificate or confirmation of the availability of a registered cash register or software cash register.

After collecting the package of documents, you can submit them in several ways. Choose the most convenient one:

Personal application to the supervisory authority. The package of documents is submitted to the State Tax Service (STS) at the place of business.
Submission through the taxpayer's electronic account. This method is convenient for individual entrepreneurs who are already used to working with the tax authorities online.
Sending by post with a list of attachments. It is important to properly execute the letter and keep a receipt of delivery.

If the documents are properly executed, the licence is issued within 10 business days. Its validity begins from the moment the information is entered into the Unified State Register of Licences.

Beer licence fee and payment terms

Most entrepreneurs are interested in the cost of a licence. The law provides for a fixed amount for obtaining a beer retail licence, which can be paid monthly or in advance.

Before making a payment, be sure to check the payment details on the website of the territorial body of the State Tax Service. The main nuances include the following:

The annual licence fee is UAH 8,000 for each outlet.
A reduced rate of UAH 500 per month is provided for villages and towns.
Payment can be made immediately or quarterly in some cases.

Failure to pay even one monthly instalment on time will result in the cancellation of the licence.

Sanctions for selling beer without a licence

Selling beer without a licence is considered a violation of the law and is punishable by fines. To avoid liability, you should not only obtain a licence on time, but also comply with the terms and conditions of its use.

Below are the main types of sanctions that apply to violators.

A fine in the amount of 200% of the value of the goods sold without a licence, but not less than UAH 17,000.
Confiscation of alcoholic beverages purchased or sold in violation.
Cancellation of the licence in case of systematic violations or sale to minors.
Administrative liability of officials.

Particular attention should be paid to compliance with the requirements for sales to minors. This is a separate offence and may have additional legal consequences.

The most frequently asked questions:

Question

Do I need to obtain a separate licence to sell beer in a bar if I already have a liquor licence?

Answer

Yes, you do. If you have a licence to retail other alcoholic beverages, it does not automatically cover beer. To sell beer, you need to either obtain a separate licence or have a comprehensive licence, where beer is included in the list of permitted products.

Question

What should I do if the licence is lost or damaged?

Answer

In case of loss or damage to the licence, you must apply to the issuing authority for a duplicate. A fee of UAH 780 is charged for the issuance of a duplicate licence, which, in accordance with the Budget Code of Ukraine, is credited to the local budgets at the place of business.

Advantages of contacting a lawyer to obtain a beer licence:

For many entrepreneurs, the procedure seems complicated or overly bureaucratic. In such cases, contacting a legal service greatly simplifies the process.

Comprehensive assistance: we take care of the preparation, verification and submission of documents, avoiding formal errors.

Analysis of the outlet: the service's lawyers check the premises for compliance with regulatory requirements even before submitting an application.

Communication with tax authorities: we provide full legal support - from preparing documents to obtaining a ready-made licence.

Conclusion

The beer retail licence is a prerequisite for running a legal business in this area. Failure to comply with the licensing requirements may result in significant financial and legal consequences. The procedure for submitting documents and complying with formalities may seem straightforward, but it is often fraught with risks due to minor mistakes. To avoid problems, it is better to turn to specialists. The Consultant service will help you go through the entire licensing process quickly, legally and without risks.