Abolish the business model of "wholesale" of alcohol.

VTV.vn - The draft proposal to abolish regulations on wholesale alcohol sales includes abolishing the conditions for wholesale alcohol sales; and the application process for wholesale alcohol licenses...

Draft Decree amending regulations on alcohol business

The Department of Domestic Market Management and Development ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) announced that the draft Decree amending and supplementing several articles of Government Decree No. 105/2017/ND-CP on the business of alcoholic beverages, as amended and supplemented by Government Decree No. 17/2020/ND-CP on amending and supplementing several articles of decrees related to investment and business conditions under the state management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, aims to simplify procedures, strongly decentralize, and reduce compliance costs for businesses, focusing on several new points.

Specifically, the authority for licensing has been decentralized, and the processing time for administrative procedures has been shortened. Liquor distribution licenses have been transferred from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to the provincial People's Committees. Registration and notification of retail and on-site consumption of alcoholic beverages have been transferred to the commune-level People's Committees (reducing the intermediary role of the district level). Licensing time has been reduced from 7 days to 5 days for many procedures (re-issuance (for lost/damaged), amendment, and supplementation of licenses).

Simultaneously, the draft proposes abolishing the "wholesale" business model for alcohol and related procedures. The regulations on wholesale alcohol sales include abolishing the conditions for wholesale alcohol sales; the application process for wholesale alcohol licenses; and provisions regarding rights, obligations, procedures, license retention, and related forms and documents concerning wholesale sales.

Furthermore, alcohol distribution licenses are valid nationwide; the conditions and procedures for obtaining licenses are reduced. The draft amendment aims to create maximum favorable conditions for businesses. Distribution conditions are simplified: A distribution system must have two business locations or two traders holding an Alcohol Distribution License or a Alcohol Retail License. Documentation is only required for imported alcohol suppliers; domestic suppliers are not required as they are already managed under their issued licenses.

The requirement to provide a Business Registration Certificate and other legally equivalent documents is abolished. Regulations on product labeling, conditions, and procedures for granting alcohol production licenses are also abolished. In particular, the authority to issue industrial alcohol production licenses is transferred to the Provincial People's Committee. The draft amendment stipulates that the general authority to issue industrial alcohol production licenses (not categorized by scale of 3 million liters/year) is transferred to the Provincial People's Committee to align with Law No. 63/2025 on Government Organization and Law No. 65/2025 on Local Government Organization.

Furthermore, the draft Decree amends the forms, reporting regime, and coordination of competent State agencies (organizations, individuals, manufacturing and trading enterprises, commune People's Committees, provincial People's Committees, Ministry of Industry and Trade) in the field of alcohol business, in accordance with regulations on decentralization, delegation of power and delineation of authority, the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcohol and Beer, and subordinate legal documents.

Source: https://vtv.vn/bai-bo-loai-hinh-kinh-doanh-ban-buon-ruou-100251209213807204.htm