How Much Does a Liquor License Cost in South Carolina?

A liquor license in South Carolina costs between $400 and $1,500 in state biennial fees, depending on what you’re licensed to sell and where you sell it. That headline number leaves out several required costs that every applicant pays, so the real question of how much a liquor license costs in South Carolina is better answered as a budget with five or six line items rather than a single sticker price.

What You Pay the State

South Carolina issues alcohol licenses on a two-year cycle. The biennial license fee is the largest single state charge, and it’s paired with a smaller non-refundable filing fee that you lose whether or not you’re approved.

The SCDOR prorates the license fee once you’re approved, so your first payment depends on where you fall in the current two-year cycle.

The Newspaper Notice

Every new applicant must publish a notice in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks.6South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 61-6-180 – Notice of Application The notice runs in the legal notices section, uses large type, takes up at least a one-column by two-inch space, and states the license type and exact location. Beer and wine permit applicants face the same rule.7South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code of Laws Title 61 Chapter 4 – Section 61-4-520

Rates differ by paper, but budget a few hundred dollars for the three weeks. If you’re applying for both a beer and wine permit and a liquor license at the same address, the SCDOR can let you combine them into one ad. Renewals at the same location don’t need to republish.

Background Checks, Retail License, and Local Fees

A handful of smaller charges land on top of the state fees.

Every principal in the business has to submit a SLED criminal record check, and any principal who has lived in South Carolina for less than two years also has to submit a check from the previous state. SLED charges its own processing fee for each check.8South Carolina Department of Revenue. ABL-900 Checklist

Any retail business in South Carolina also needs a separate $50 retail license on top of the alcohol permit.9South Carolina Business One Stop. Alcohol Beverage License (ABL) Municipalities and counties can add their own permit fees or zoning compliance charges, paid directly to the local government. Amounts depend on where you are.

For beer and wine applicants, the SCDOR has discretionary authority to require a surety bond when it considers one necessary, with the amount set case by case.10South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 61-4-540 – Issuance of Permits Federal registration with the TTB is required for retail dealers but costs nothing to apply for or maintain.11TTB: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Applying for a Permit and/or Registration

Liquor Liability Insurance for On-Premise Businesses

If you’re licensed to sell alcohol for on-premise consumption and stay open past 5:00 p.m., state law requires liquor liability insurance with an annual aggregate limit of at least $1 million, and per-occurrence coverage of at least 50% of that limit, meaning at least $500,000 per incident. The requirement took effect January 1, 2026.12South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 61-2-145 – Liability Insurance Coverage Required, On-Premises Consumption

Businesses that qualify under a state risk mitigation program can bring the aggregate requirement down to $300,000. Letting coverage lapse during the license period is grounds for suspension or revocation, and the SCDOR can seek an emergency revocation order.

Premiums vary with the size of the operation, sales volume, and claims history, so there’s no single figure to quote. It’s a real annual cost, not a one-time fee, and it should be in your budget before you open.

Renewal Costs

Licenses and permits expire on a biennial schedule organized by county.13South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 61-2-120 – Biennial License and Permit Expiration Dates Renewal costs the same biennial fee as the initial license: another $1,400 every two years for a retail liquor store, another $400 for an off-premise beer and wine permit, and so on. Miss the deadline and you lose your authority to sell alcohol, so a calendar reminder well ahead of expiration is worth the thirty seconds it takes to set.

Cost of Operating Without a License

Selling alcohol without a license is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100, up to 30 days in jail, or both.14South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 61-6-2600 – Penalties The criminal penalty is modest; the lasting cost is licensing eligibility. An applicant whose permit has been revoked within the past two years cannot get a new beer or wine permit, and similar disqualifications apply across license types. Skipping the fees now can keep you out of the business later.