Just as the operation of a wholesale business in South Africa is fundamentally different to the operation of a retail business in South Africa, so too are the two types of Licences or Registrations that govern the legal sale of alcohol by both of these types of businesses.
They are so different in fact, that the South African governmental bodies which issue the two types of certificates are completely different too.
The Regional Liquor Board will be responsible for the management, issuing and renewal of Retail Liquor Licences.
The National Liquor Authority is responsible for the management, issuing and renewal of Wholesale Liquor Registrations.
A Wholesale Liquor Registration is issued to a person or a company that intends to sell and distribute liquor products within the Republic as a wholesaler or manufacturer. This Liquor Licence Registration DOES NOT allow the holder to sell liquor to retail customers. For this, the company would have to make a separate Retail Liquor Licence application to the Regional Liquor Board.