Florida Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Industry Requires Surety Bond

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Florida alcoholic beverage and tobacco businesses that sell, manufacture, or distribute those substances must be licensed and bonded to do so. Keep reading to find out how it works.

How to get an alcohol and tobacco license in Florida

The state of Florida requires alcoholic beverage and tobacco businesses to get a license before they can sell or manufacture any of those products. Licenses are issued through the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. There are many different types of licenses issued based on the types of products the licensee will sell, manufacture, or distribute, and licensing fees and surety bond amounts vary along with the different licenses.

Since there are so many different license types, the Division has created a flow chart for applicants to ensure they don’t miss a step in the process. Let’s take a look at what it takes to get licensed as a distributor of beer and wine (JDBW). Here’s some of the information you’ll need to provide:

  • $1,250 fee for permanent license; $312.50 if temporary
  • Completed license application
  • Fingerprints (if applicable)
  • Floor plan drawn in ink of the entire premises
  • Zoning compliance approved by local zoning authority
  • Names of all interested business parties
  • Surety bond in the correct amount

Once the license application has been submitted and any mistakes corrected, the state will conduct an inspection of the business location. After the inspection, the decision is made about whether or not the license will be issued.

What does this bond do?

The reason this bond is required is to ensure alcoholic beverage and tobacco licensees pay taxes as the law requires. The amount of the bond needed varies widely. Cigarette manufacturers and distributers need a bond that is 110% of their monthly tax liability amount, but is no less than $2,000. The amount varies even more among alcoholic beverage licensees—their bond can range from $1,000 to $100,000. Taken into account are the kinds of alcoholic beverages the license allows the licensee to sell, distribute, or manufacture, and the licensee’s total tax liability. A bond over $25,000 is not common; the $100,000 surety bond is required of spiritous liquor distributors.

The purpose of the bond is to make sure that alcoholic beverage and tobacco licensees are paying their taxes on time and as required by state law. Make sure to understand how your tax schedule works as a licensee and contact the Division with your questions about licensing and taxation.

Know your bond amount and ready to get the licensing process started in Florida? Request a free quote from Single Source Insurance and get your bond fast!�

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