Non-retail California liquor licenses are primarily held by individuals and companies that import, manufacture, broker, or wholesale the sales of alcohol products. As the name implies, they do not sell directly to the public.
The type 5 liquor license in the state of California authorizes any of the following:
- The possession of distilled spirits in public or private warehouses.
- The exportation of distilled spirits.
- The cutting, blending, mixing, flavoring, and coloring of distilled spirits for his own account or for the account of a distilled spirits manufacturer, manufacturer’s agent, rectifier, or wholesaler.
- Whether cut, blended, mixed, flavored, or colored by him, or any other person, the packaging and the sale or delivery of distilled spirits only to holders of distilled spirits manufacturer’s, rectifier’s or distilled spirits wholesaler’s licenses.
A person need not actually engage in the cutting, blending, or bottling of distilled spirits in order to qualify for a distilled spirits manufacturer’s agent’s license.
The video below explains the Type 8 license in further detail.
This is NOT a stand-alone license and must be held in conjunction with another California Liquor License.
Different from a Type 9 liquor license, a Type 10 is a stand-alone license.
Similar to a Type 9 liquor license, a Type 12 is not a stand-alone license.
A Type 13 California liquor license is a stand-alone license.
Special Note: This Department has taken the position that where a customs broker makes either entry or withdrawal in his own name, is identified as the responsible person and has a possessory right, the possibility of unlawful diversion into the internal commerce of the State exists. Under these circumstances, we believe he/she should be subject to State control and, therefore, licensed. On the other hand, if the customs broker is solely engaged as an agent for licensed importers and if all entries and/or withdrawal documents disclose the licensed importer as the principal, he/she need not be licensed by this Department. However, we strongly suggest that such persons apply for and hold Type 15 licenses to permit the flexibility needed to handle unforeseen special circumstances requiring licensure.
“Customs broker” means every person who is authorized to act as agent or broker for a person licensed as an importer of for a person whose place of business is without the State, in regard to the importing of alcoholic beverages into the State in United States Internal Revenue bond or in United States Customs bond. (Section 23019). The principal function of a customs broker is handling the paperwork and paying the duty on behalf of his principals on imported merchandise.
This is a fairly rare license type. Please contact our office if you think your business may require a Type 18 California liquor license.
The video below explains more about a Type 22 Wine Blender’s license and the difference between a wine blender and a wine rectifier.
- “Micro-brewery”: A small-scale brewery operation that generally produces approximately 15,000 barrels a year. Its beer products are primarily intended for local and/or regional consumption. Typically, these operations are solely dedicated to the production of specialty beers, although some do have a restaurant or pub on their manufacturing plant.
- “Brewpub”: Typically, a very small brewery with a restaurant where the beer it produces is sold in draft form exclusively at its own premises. This operation often sells other supplier’s bottled beer, including other hand-crafted or micro-brewed beers as well as wine to patrons for consumption on its premises. See “Special Note” below.
Special Note: A brewpub-restaurant (Type 75) license, authorized under Section 23396.3, has a limited brewing privilege and may sometimes be referred to as “brewpub.” However, the Type 75 is an on-sale retail license with significant differences/limitations in license privileges from those of a true “beer manufacturer” (either Type 01 or Type 23).