With effect from 2 January 2024, regulation 11 of the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) (Liquor Licensing) Regulations 2015 will be amended to regulate the supply of liquor to persons younger than 18 years, through any one or more of the following means: (a) online (whether through an electronic commerce platform or otherwise), or (b) a telecommunication service. The new requirements are as follows:
(a) A licensee, and an employee of the licensee, must not supply any liquor to an individual who is younger than 18 years online (whether through electronic commerce platforms or otherwise) or through a telecommunication service;
(b) A licensee, and an employee of the licensee, who supplies liquor to an individual online (whether through an electronic commerce platform or otherwise) or through a telecommunication service, must:
- warn the individual that it is an offence for the individual to buy liquor if the individual is younger than 18 years, and
- inform the individual of the penalty for the offence;
(c) A licensee, and an employee of the licensee, who supplies liquor to an individual through a third-party electronic commerce platform must not do so if the licensee or employee knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the person operating the electronic commerce platform does not do any of the following:
- take all reasonable steps to ascertain that the individual is 18 years or older;
- warn the individual that it is an offence for the individual to buy liquor if the individual is younger than 18 years, and
iii. inform the individual of the penalty for the offence.
2 A breach of regulation 11 of the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) (Liquor Licensing) Regulations 2015 is an offence, punishable with a fine not exceeding $10,000.
3 An electronic commerce platform/an online platform which (a) enables an individual to buy an item online through the platform; (b) allows the individual to pay for the item online through the platform; and (c) automatically confirms with the individual a delivery address for the item will require a licence to supply liquor. In addition, these electronic commerce platforms are also encouraged to put up notices warning sellers of the need to be licensed in order to supply liquor. Electronic commence platforms will be requested to assist the Singapore Police Force in taking down any such listings put up by these unlicensed sellers, whether they are detected by the Singapore Police Force or otherwise.
4 For more information, please refer to the FAQ, or email to SPF_PLRD_PELLD@spf.gov.sg