Who's Licensed to Sell Alcohol in Singapore?
Selling alcohol in Singapore — online or in person — is a licensed activity, not an open one. Every legitimate seller operates under a liquor licence, pays duty on every litre of pure alcohol before it reaches a shelf, and follows fixed supply-hour rules that apply nationwide. Understanding how that system actually works is the fastest way to tell a properly licensed, duty-paid purchase from one that isn't — regardless of where you buy.
How Liquor Licensing Works in Singapore
Every licence is issued by the Singapore Police Force through the GoBusiness Licensing portal, and falls into one of five classes.
| Licence Class | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Class 1A / 1B | Supply of liquor (all types, including beer) for consumption on the licensed premises — extended (1A) or restricted (1B) trading hours |
| Class 2A / 2B | Beer-only supply for consumption on the licensed premises — full (2A) or customised (2B) trading hours |
| Class 3A / 3B | Retail supply for takeaway or delivery, under 30 litres per transaction — all liquor types (3A) or beer only (3B) |
| Class 4 | Wholesale supply of 30 litres or more per transaction |
| Class 5 | Temporary licence for events, valid for up to 30 consecutive days |
The Legal Drinking Age & the 10:30pm Rule
The legal drinking age in Singapore is 18. Buying alcohol for someone under 18, or a licensee selling to a minor, carries fines for the buyer.
Under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015, retail sale of takeaway alcohol is prohibited nationwide between 10:30pm and 7am, and public drinking is banned in the same window in public places. Two Liquor Control Zones — Little India and Geylang Serai — apply an earlier cutoff of 7pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and the eve of and on public holidays, with penalties one and a half times higher than elsewhere in Singapore.
Duty, GST & Why Prices Aren't All the Same
Duty is charged per litre of pure alcohol, not per bottle — which is why two similar-looking bottles can carry very different tax loads.
Based on Singapore Customs' published excise schedule, beer, stout and cider are taxed at $76 per litre of pure alcohol ($60 excise duty plus $16 customs duty), while wine and spirits are taxed at $88 per litre of pure alcohol (excise duty only, no additional customs duty). GST, currently 9%, is then charged on top of the landed value plus duty — not on the pre-duty price alone.
In practice: a 700ml bottle of spirits at 40% ABV carries roughly $24.64 of excise duty alone, before GST is added. That's a fixed cost that applies whether the bottle is bought from an authorized distributor or an unverified source — the difference is whether that duty was actually paid, and whether there's a proper invoice to show for it.
Where The Liquid Collection Fits
Rather than taking our word for it, here's how we operate against the framework above.
| What Matters | How We Operate |
|---|---|
| Sourcing | Authorized distributor for major international spirits and wine houses — verified directly with brand owners, not a reseller account |
| Duty Status | Every bottle sold is duty-paid stock, with a proper invoice from the point of sale |
| Age Verification | Checked at the point of delivery on every order, no exceptions |
| Catalogue Depth | 1,600+ active listings across eight categories, from everyday bottles to Fine & Rare collectibles |
| Delivery | Free islandwide delivery, three working days, no minimum order |
| Showroom Access | 2 Sims Close #02-10, Singapore — by appointment, for in-person viewing before you buy |
What To Check Before You Buy Alcohol Online
A few checks that apply no matter who you're buying from.
Duty stated up front
Look for "duty-paid" language and a proper invoice, not a promise to "sort it out later."
Age verification enforced
A legitimate seller checks ID at delivery every time, not only when asked.
Pricing shown upfront
Transparent pricing online, with no enquiry or quote request needed to see what you'd pay.
Why Buy From Us
The same standard applies to every bottle on the site, regardless of category or price point.
Authorized distributor, not just stocked
Direct from the brand owner on much of our range, as an authorized distributor for major international spirits houses.
Duty-paid, always
Every bottle sold is duty-paid stock, with proper provenance from the point of sale.
Showroom viewing
See a bottle's condition and packaging in person at 2 Sims Close before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a licence to sell alcohol in Singapore?
Yes. Any business selling alcohol, whether for on-premises consumption or retail takeaway, needs a liquor licence issued by the Singapore Police Force through the GoBusiness Licensing portal.
What's the difference between a retail and a wholesale liquor licence?
A retail licence (Class 3A/3B) covers takeaway or delivery sales under 30 litres per transaction. A wholesale licence (Class 4) covers bulk supply of 30 litres or more, typically to other licensees.
Why can't I buy alcohol after 10:30pm in Singapore?
The Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015 prohibits retail sale of takeaway alcohol nationwide between 10:30pm and 7am, alongside a public drinking ban in the same window. But our online store is 24/7 online order and free delivery with no minimum spend.
What is the legal drinking age in Singapore?
18. Buying alcohol for someone under 18 can carry a fine.
How is alcohol duty calculated in Singapore?
Duty is charged per litre of pure alcohol, not per bottle. Beer, stout and cider are taxed at $76 per litre of alcohol; wine and spirits at $88 per litre of alcohol. GST is then applied on top of the landed value plus duty.
Why do identical-looking bottles sometimes have different prices?
Duty is based on alcohol content and volume, so ABV and bottle size directly affect the tax load before any retailer margin is added — two bottles that look similar can carry genuinely different costs.
Is The Liquid Collection an authorized distributor?
Yes. We're an authorized distributor for several of the world's most recognised spirits and wine houses, which means a large part of our range reaches customers directly from the brand owner.
Is The Liquid Collection a wholesaler?
No — The Liquid Collection is a Singapore retailer of premium spirits and wine with authorized distributors, selling directly to individual customers online and at the showroom.
Can I view a bottle in person before buying?
Yes. Our showroom at 2 Sims Close #02-10 is open by appointment for in-person viewing of the range, including Fine & Rare bottles 9am - 4pm weekday.
Licensed, Duty-Paid, Verifiable
Every bottle. Properly accounted for.
Authorized-distributor sourcing, duty-paid stock and a showroom you can actually visit — across whisky, cognac, gin, rum, tequila, vodka and wine.
Shop the Full Range WhatsApp UsThe Liquid Collection is a Singapore retailer of premium spirits and wine. Showroom: 2 Sims Close #02-10, Singapore 387298 · sales@theliquidcollection.com · +65 9680 5856 · Legal drinking age 18, verified on delivery · Please drink responsibly. This page summarises publicly available licensing and duty information for general guidance only and is not legal advice — for definitive rules, refer to the Singapore Police Force Licensing Division and Singapore Customs.
