How to Get an Alcohol Licence to Sell Online

Want to sell alcohol through your website or an online platform in England or Wales? It’s a growing market—but also a tightly regulated one. Whether you’re starting an e-commerce alcohol brand, selling through Amazon, or running a local delivery service, you’ll need to comply with the Licensing Act 2003 to do it legally.

This guide explains how to get an alcohol licence to sell online in the UK, step by step.

📦 Can You Legally Sell Alcohol Online in the UK?

Yes—but you must treat online sales the same way as in-person retail. That means:

• You need a Premises Licence even if there is no physical shopfront
• You must name a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) who holds a Personal Licence
• All deliveries must still comply with age verification laws

In short: you’re still selling alcohol to the public, so all the same rules apply.

✅ Step-by-Step: How to Get an Online Alcohol Licence

1. Identify Your Licensed Premises

Even if your business is 100% online, the alcohol must be stored and dispatched from a specific location. This becomes your licensed premises.

It can be:

• Your home (if used as a warehouse)
• A commercial unit or fulfilment centre
• An office with secure storage

⚠️ You cannot sell alcohol lawfully without licensing the physical location it is shipped from.

2. Apply for a Premises Licence

Apply to the local council responsible for the address you’re using as your base. You’ll need:

• A plan of the premises
• Consent from your DPS
• Details about how alcohol is stored, picked, packed, and dispatched
• A 28-day public notice period (online and on-site)

Important: Make sure your local planning department allows alcohol distribution at the property. If not, apply for planning permission first.

3. Appoint a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)

The DPS is legally responsible for alcohol sales—even online. They must hold a Personal Licence, which you can get by:

• Completing the Level 2 APLH qualification
• Passing a criminal background check
• Submitting the personal licence application to your local council

💡 You, the business owner, can act as the DPS if you hold a Personal Licence.

4. Put Age Verification Measures in Place

You must take all reasonable steps to prevent alcohol being sold to anyone under 18. This includes:

• Clearly stating age restrictions on your website
• Using Challenge 25 policies on delivery
• Training staff or couriers on ID verification
• Integrating age checks at checkout

Failure to comply can result in fines, licence revocation, or criminal charges.

5. Comply with Ongoing Licensing Obligations

Once licensed, you must:

• Display the Premises Licence summary at the fulfilment address
• Keep a copy of the full licence available for inspection
• Follow the four licensing objectives
• Update your licence if your business model changes (e.g. new location, new DPS)

📌 What if You Use Amazon, Uber Eats or Other Marketplaces?

If you’re selling alcohol through third-party platforms, you still need your own Premises Licence. The fulfilment point—whether it’s your house or a warehouse—must be licensed.

“It’s a common myth that online sellers don’t need a licence. If you’re dispatching alcohol from a UK address, it must be licensed—no exceptions.”

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Licensing your company but not your dispatch location
• Assuming age checks are the delivery driver’s responsibility
• Not displaying required signage at the licensed premises

Need help? Consider working with a licensing consultant to ensure your application is legally watertight and tailored to e-commerce operations.