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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ South Carolina Department of Revenue
Alcohol Beverage Licensing
PO Box 125
Columbia, SC 29214-0907

Phone: 803-898-5864

Report alcohol-related violations:
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Beer & Wine

​Businesses that manufacture, distribute, and sell beer and wine are regulated by permits issued from the South Carolina Department of Revenue, and authorized under Chapter 4 of Title 61 SC Code of Laws​.

When referring to SC Code of Laws, beer and wine permits (including liquor​ licenses) are issued to three tiers of business types: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Retailers.

TIER ONE
Manufacturers (Producers & Importers)
 are breweries that provide any combination of brewing, fermenting, or packaging of beer, and wineries and vintners that ferment and/or package wine; including importers who import alcoholic liquors into the US.

​Manufacturers must sell to distributors only.

​​TIER TWO
Wholesalers "Distributors"
​ 
purchase, acquire, or import beer and/or wine from manufacturers from inside and/or outside of SC for the purpose of resale.

Wholesalers are the "middleman" between the manufacturer​ and retailer.

TIER THREE
Retailers 
are divided into two groups which indicates where the beer and wine sold is consumed by the consumer: on-premises or off-premises.​

Retailers may only purchase from a wholesaler - and never directly from a manufacturer.​

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Staying compliant

Avoid a suspended or ​revoked license (S​​C Code Section 61-4-590​​)

The SCDOR has sole and exclusive power t​o suspend and revoke a manufacturer's, wholesaler's, or retailer's license. Read the regulations below to avoid a license​ suspension or revocation:​​​

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Frequently asked questions about beer and wine

In addition to the FAQs listed below, you can find more license-specific FAQs by visiting our ABL Licenses page​.​

ABL business operations

Visit our Operating an ABL Business page​ ​to see​ more information on the following topics:

  • Liability insurance
  • ​Sunday sales (authorized counties and ​municipalities)
  • Hours of operation
  • Required signage
  • Alcohol pods
  • Legal ages for serving
  • ​Brand registration​
  • Advertising, packaging, & promotions



Nee​​d more ​help​​​?​

​Our FREE ABL Workshops are virtual and cover​ licensing basics, including applications and renewals, special events, and compliance laws.​ ​See class dates ​and register now >​​​
​​​ ​​Planning to host or sell goods and services at an event or festival?​ Get prepared with our Events & Festivals Guide >
​​​ Still haven't created a MyDORWAY account?See the bene​fits​ of creating a MyDORWAY account and sign up today >​