Internet-only liquor stores in the District are due to renew alcohol licenses by:

• Monday, April 2, 2018.

Any off-premises retailer that does not have a physical location open to the public and sells alcohol over the Internet is required by law to have its license converted to a class IA Internet retailer's license category at the time of renewal.  

Check your mail

ABRA mails renewal notices to a licensee's mailing address on file in mid-February. Contact ABRA if you have not received your renewal notice by the end of February. Licensees must return the renewal application that is received in the mail.

Verify online-only status

Internet-only liquor stores will need to verify that they are an operating Internet retailer that does not have a brick-and-mortar establishment open to the public by confirming their online-only status on the application.

Appeals

Licensees that disagree with a determination made regarding converting their license to a class IA Internet license can appeal it to the Board. 

Make payments

The annual fee for the license is $2,600. Fees may be paid by:

• Visa, MasterCard, check, certified check, money order or cashier's check.
• Checks must be made payable to the DC Treasurer.
• Any applicant with outstanding fines or payment to ABRA will need to complete payment before the renewal application can be processed.

Don't be late - renew early

In order to avoid long lines, licensees are encouraged to submit renewal applications to ABRA as early as possible. Renewal applications not returned by deadline will be subject to a late fee of $50 per business day—not to exceed the cost of the license—and cancellation.

Post renewal placards

After the renewal application is received and processed, there is a 45-day placard period. During the 45-day placard period, a renewal application could be protested. An applicant for a class IA Internet license must post a renewal notice on its web page for the 45-day public comment period.

All applications are subject to the review and approval of the Board.

Ask Questions

Licensees that have questions about renewals can contact ABRA's Licensing Division by:

• Emailing abc@dc.gov; or
• Calling (202) 442-4423.

Learn more in ABRA's renewal brochure.