Liquor Import License in Korea

What is a liquor import license and what types exist?

Anyone importing alcohol needs a liquor import/export business license, which is one type of liquor sales business. The import/export business exports or imports alcohol. Liquor sales businesses are classified as general wholesale, specific wholesale, ethanol wholesale, import/export, brokerage, retail and ethanol retail. A general wholesaler buys from manufacturers or importers and sells wholesale, and a retailer buys from importers, wholesalers, etc. and sells to consumers.

What are the requirements?

(1) Trade business registration number: you must hold the number issued under the Foreign Trade Act Enforcement Decree.

(2) Warehouse: at least 22 m² when importing alcohol (excluding ethanol).

(3) Qualification: if new credit was suspended due to credit-default information, the cause must have been cleared.

(4) Grounds for refusal: license cancelled less than 2 years ago, tax arrears at the time of application, undischarged bankruptcy, less than 5 years since completing a prison sentence under the Punishment of Tax Evasion Act etc., or planning a premises in an area designated by the National Tax Service as likely to upset supply-demand balance. If the applicant has no address or residence in Korea, the agent or manager is examined for disqualification.

(5) Conditions: the tax office may attach conditions such as sales scope and compliance matters to protect liquor tax revenue.

Which documents are needed?

The application states the applicant's details, the premises location and, for imports, the warehouse area. Attachments: (1) lease contract copy if the premises are leased, (2) articles of incorporation, meeting minutes and shareholder/officer lists for a corporation, (3) a copy of the trade business registration certificate for the import/export business. The trade business certificate is also included when the license is sought without a sales premises.

What is the procedure?

(1) Obtain the trade business registration number → (2) prepare the warehouse and other requirements → (3) submit the application and attachments to the tax office with jurisdiction over the premises → (4) the office decides after reviewing disqualification and restriction grounds. Without a premises, submit an application stating the reason to the tax office for your home or residence. Moving the premises requires a relocation report or permit application.

How long does it take?

This review did not confirm a statutory processing period, so no number of days is given. If requirements are not met, the office may order supplementation within a set period. Ask the tax office for its processing time.

Which authority receives the application?

The head of the tax office with jurisdiction over the premises. Without premises, the tax office for your address or residence.

What is the statutory fee?

The import/export business license fee is KRW 50,000. Liquor retail costs KRW 30,000. The basis is Article 35 of the Liquor License Act, payable by revenue stamp or electronic payment. (Enforcement Rule effective 2026-01-02. Private service fees are not statutory fees and are excluded.)

Why is an application rejected or supplementation requested?

Reasons confirmed in the law: no trade business registration number, a warehouse under 22 m², missing attachments (lease, corporate documents, trade business certificate), or a refusal ground such as arrears, cancellation within 2 years or undischarged bankruptcy. Even after licensing, facilities below the standard can lead to a supplementation order.

What can an administrative attorney help with?

YouSun Administrative Attorney prepares and submits application or report documents on your authorization. Work restricted by other laws cannot be handled, and litigation or court representation is lawyer work and is not offered. Approval, registration or acceptance, and the outcome, are decided by the competent authority.