Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL) | South Carolina Department of Revenue

South Carolina law regulates alcoholic beverage commerce through a three-tiered distribution and licensing structure that strictly separates manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing.

TIER ONE Manufacturers	TIER TWO Wholesalers	TIER THREE Retailers
Manufacturers (Producers & Importers) require licenses that authorize the production or importation of alcoholic beverages into the state. Manufacturers are required to sell to wholesalers.	Wholesalers (Distributors) require licenses that authorize the purchase of alcoholic beverages from producers for resale to retailers. Wholesalers are the "middleman" between the manufacturer and retailer.	Retailers require licenses that authorize the purchase of alcoholic beverages from wholesalers for resale to the public. Retailers may only purchase from wholesalers—never directly from a manufacturer.

TIER ONE
Manufacturers

TIER TWO
Wholesalers

TIER THREE
Retailers

Manufacturers (Producers & Importers) require licenses that authorize the production or importation of alcoholic beverages into the state.

Manufacturers are required to sell to wholesalers.

Wholesalers (Distributors) require licenses that authorize the purchase of alcoholic beverages from producers for resale to retailers.

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

Retailers require licenses that authorize the purchase of alcoholic beverages from wholesalers for resale to the public.

Retailers may only purchase from wholesalers—never directly from a manufacturer.

Need help?

Phone: 803-898-5864
Email: ABL@dor.sc.gov

Report alcohol-related violations:
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
803-896-5591

Applications and renewals

Submitting a new application

Before starting an ABL application, review the licenses page to determine the type of license you need and understand the application requirements. When you're ready, you can apply for any ABL license or permit on MyDORWAY!

Some licenses require a valid Retail License before you can apply.

Renewing your license or permit

Two months before your renewal application is due, our team will notify you of your upcoming renewal period and provide instructions for applying.
Your renewal due date is based on the county where your business is located. Refer to the renewal schedule below to see when each county's renewal application is due. You will usually need to renew every two years.
If you don’t have any changes to your business information (address, name, etc.), we recommend renewing online using MyDORWAY.
After we receive your application, we’ll notify you if your renewal was approved or if we need additional information from you. If your renewal was not approved, you’ll receive information on what to do next when we notify you.

Renewal schedule

Applications Due by	Even Years	Odd Years
February 28	Charleston Clarendon Colleton Dorchester Georgetown Hampton Jasper Williamsburg	Allendale Bamberg Barnwell Beaufort Berkeley
May 31	Lancaster Marion Marlboro Union York	Cherokee Chester Chesterfield Darlington Dillon Fairfield Florence Horry
August 31	Richland Beer Producers Liquor Producers Liquor Representatives Wine Shippers	Calhoun Kershaw Lee Orangeburg Sumter
November 30	Laurens Lexington McCormick Newberry Oconee Pickens Saluda Spartanburg	Abbeville Aiken Anderson Edgefield Greenville Greenwood

Submit an ABL protest

Find an ABL licensed location

See suspended or revoked licenses

Looking for more?

Alcohol tax information: For importers, producers, and manufacturers of beer, wine, and liquor and retailers selling liquor by the drink
Learn more about ABL from SCDOR experts with one of our free workshops
Register your brand:
- Beer, wine, liquor, and malt products can be registered online at: productregistrationonline.com.
- Learn more about registering your brand >
Hosting an event? Our Events & Festivals Guide is designed to help hosts, promoters, and vendors understand their tax obligations and licensing requirements for their upcoming events.

Mailing address:

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