PERSONAL LICENCE ONLINE EXAMS - INSTANT RESULTS - UNLIMITED RE-SITS - EXAMS OVER ZOOM EVERY HOUR - JUST £75+VAT

Selling Alcohol Online In the UK

What Licences Do I Need to Sell Alcohol Online for Delivery?

Selling alcohol online for delivery is tightly regulated in England and Wales.
Before you start selling, it's crucial to understand how licensing applies to online sales, and how it differs from running a pub, bar or shop.

Where Must the Premises Licence Cover?

The Licensing Act 2003 states that the "sale" of alcohol happens where the alcohol is appropriated to the contract — in other words:

✅ Where the alcohol is picked, packed, and dispatched — not where the order was placed online, and not where a website or call centre is based.

This is very different from traditional sales:

  • In a bar or pub, the sale happens at the counter where the customer buys the drink.

  • In an online business, the sale happens in the warehouse, shop, or home where the alcohol is physically picked and prepared for shipping.

Example Scenarios

  • Call centre taking phone orders: Does not need a Premises Licence

  • Website processing online payments: Does not need a Premises Licence

  • Home, retail unit, or warehouse where alcohol is stored and dispatched: MUST have a valid Premises Licence

✅ If you store and ship alcohol from your house, that address must be licensed
✅ If you operate from a warehouse or retail unit, that location must be licensed

Without a Premises Licence for the dispatch address, you are committing a criminal offence under the Licensing Act.

How About Selling Through Amazon or eBay?

🛒 Many major online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Deliveroo already hold their own Premises Licences for their warehouses (e.g., Amazon fulfilment centres).
However:

❗ Even if the platform has a Premises Licence, they often require you, the seller, to also hold your own Personal Licence and sometimes your own Premises Licence.

This is part of their internal compliance policies — especially for marketplace sellers storing alcohol at their own locations before shipment to the platform or customer.

Always carefully check each marketplace’s alcohol sales rules before listing products.

What Licences Do I Need to Start Selling Alcohol Online?

To sell alcohol legally online, you will need:

✅ A Premises Licence for the location where alcohol is physically picked, packed and dispatched.

✅ A Personal Licence for the individual who supervises the sale of alcohol.

How Do I Get a Personal Licence?

You must be at least 18 years old and provide:

  • A Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) qualification — (Book yours here)

  • A completed personal licence application form (from your council)

  • A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate

  • Two passport-sized photographs, certified by a professional

  • The £37 council application fee

Once granted, your Personal Licence allows you to authorise the retail sale of alcohol anywhere in England and Wales.

You will also need to nominate yourself (or someone else) as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for your Premises Licence.

How Do I Get a Premises Licence for Online Sales?

You must apply to the licensing authority where your warehouse, shop or home (dispatch location) is based.

The application includes:

  • Completed Premises Licence application form

  • An Operating Schedule explaining your proposed activities

  • Appointment of a DPS (with signed consent)

  • A scaled plan of the premises

  • Proof of your right to work in the UK

  • Payment of the application fee

You must also:

  • Advertise the application in a local newspaper

  • Display a public notice outside your premises for 28 consecutive days

Inn Confidence Premises Licence Application Service

Inn Confidence offers a fixed-fee Premises Licence application service:

💷 £750 + VAT (excluding external costs like plans, ads, and council fees)

Our service covers:

  • Full risk assessment and licensing advice

  • Completing all application paperwork

  • Preparing your Operating Schedule

  • Submitting the application to the council

  • Preparing and posting public notices

  • Negotiating with licensing officers if needed

Additional Costs You Should Budget For:

  • 📜 Premises plans (if needed): around £150–£250

  • 📰 Newspaper advert: usually £200–£300

  • 🏛️ Council application fee: Based on rateable value (see below)

Premises Licence Fee Bands

Band Rateable Value Application Fee Annual Charge
A £0 – £4,300 £100 £70
B £4,301 – £33,000 £190 £180
C £33,001 – £87,000 £315 £295
D £87,001 – £125,000 £450 (or £900 if alcohol is primary activity) £320 (or £640)
E £125,001+ £635 (or £1,905 if alcohol is primary activity) £350 (or £1,050)

If alcohol is the main business (e.g. dedicated alcohol warehouse), higher fees apply for D and E bands.

Why Choose Inn Confidence?

✅ Highly experienced licensing consultants
✅ Fixed, transparent pricing
✅ National coverage across England and Wales
✅ Full service — from consultation to approval
✅ Friendly expert support at every step

Ready to Get Started?

📞 Call us on 0151 558 1783
or
💬 Fill out the enquiry form below — we’ll get back to you quickly!