According to Singapore law, all companies or individuals wishing to engage in the import, wholesale and retail of alcohol need to obtain relevant licenses or permits.

1. The company must be registered with ACRA (unless only applying for a Category 2B liquor licence, or the applicant represents a Singapore registered society);

2. If the application is made on behalf of a society registered with the Singapore Registrar of Societies (“ROS”), the applicant must be at least a member of the committee;

3. The applicant must be a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident, or a foreigner holding an Employment Pass or Entrepreneurship Pass;

4. The applicant must be a director of a company, a partner of a partnership or a sole proprietor;

5. Applicants for a Category 2B liquor licence must have a hawker licence issued by the National Environment Agency (“NEA”); and

6. The applicant must be a fit and proper person.

In assessing whether an applicant is a fit and proper liquor licence holder, SPF will consider whether it:

1. Have been convicted or under investigation for any crime;

2. Have a good record of meeting the conditions of any liquor licences previously issued to the applicant and companies associated with the applicant;

3. Has cooperated with SPF in any investigation related to liquor licensing; and

4. The license issued by the relevant authority has been revoked or suspended due to being unfit to hold a liquor license.

After an applicant submits an application for a liquor license and has to pay the application fee (the relevant application fee will be determined according to the type of liquor license the company applies for), the applicant needs to provide the following supporting materials:

1. A certificate issued by ACRA;

2. A copy of the applicant's Singapore ID card (if a Singapore citizen or permanent resident) or foreign employee's pass (if a foreigner holding a work pass);

3. A permit issued by the Housing and Development Board ("HDB") to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages;

4. Planning permission for land use issued by URA;

5. A copy of the association registration certificate issued by ROS (if the application is made on behalf of the association);

6. A copy of the hawker stall license issued by NEA (eg outdoor beer stall operators applying for a Category 2B liquor license).

Liquor licence applications are generally processed within 12 working days of receipt of the application and required supporting documents (if required). The processing time is from the date of receipt of the application until the date of approval or rejection of the application.