New TABC License & Fee Structure (September 2021)
Prepare for changes happening to TABC’s license and fee structure starting September 1, 2021.
TABC is implementing a new license type and fee structure which will take effect on September 1, 2021. Simultaneously, the industry will be moving to TABC’s new license and permitting system, AIMS.
Starting September 1, most businesses will only require one TABC license to operate. Over the course of two years, TABC has cut the number of licenses from 75 down to 37. The new structure means that license and permit holders can expect to see changes to the name of their license and additional authorities will be included in the license.
Additionally, TABC will not print or send a new license to you. Business owners must print their new license once accessed and completed in AIMS.
Below is a list of the new licenses or permits and the new TABC fees associated. Businesses pay these fees every two years as part of their renewal.
| License / Permit | New TABC Fee | Description |
| Brewer’s License (BW) | $3,000 | The Brewer’s License (BW) authorizes the holder to manufacture malt beverages, import malt beverages from out of state, transport malt beverages from the place where the BW holder purchased them to the BW holder’s business, transfer malt beverages from the place of sale or distribution to the TABC-licensed or permitted purchaser, store malt beverages, and under certain conditions sell its malt beverages to consumers for on- or off-premise consumption. |
| Winery Permit (G) | $3,000 | The Winery Permit (G) authorizes the manufacturing of wine. It includes the ability to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the permit holder’s business and from the place of sale or distribution to the purchaser, store wine, sell to consumers for on- or off-premise consumption, conduct off-premise deliveries to consumers, and to conduct wine festivals (there will be an approval process G Permit holders must follow). |
| Distiller’s and Rectifier’s Permit (D) | $3,000
| The Distiller’s and Rectifier’s Permit (D) authorizes the holder to manufacture distilled spirits and to rectify, purify, refine, or mix distilled spirits and wines. It includes the authority to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the permit holder’s business and from the place of sale or distribution to the TABC-licensed or permitted purchaser, and to store the products produced by the permit holder. Under certain conditions, the holder can sell their alcoholic beverages to consumers for on- or off-premise consumption. |
| Out-of-State Winery Direct Shipper’s Permit (DS) | $500 | The Out-of-State Winery Direct Shipper’s Permit (DS) authorizes out-of-state wineries to ship wine directly to consumers. |
| Nonresident Brewer’s License (BN) | $1,500 | The Nonresident Brewer’s License (BN) authorizes out-of-state brewers to sell malt beverages to Texas-based TABC license holders that are authorized to import those beverages into Texas. It also authorizes transportation to those Texas importers. Authorized Texas importers of malt beverages hold a Brewer’s License (BW), General Distributor’s License (BB) or Branch Distributor’s License (BC). |
| Nonresident Seller’s Permit (S) | $1,800 | The Nonresident Seller’s Permit (S) authorizes the holder to sell and ship distilled spirits and wine to Texas-based TABC license or permit holders that are authorized to import those beverages into Texas. Authorized Texas importers of distilled spirits or wine include the holders of a Distiller’s and Rectifier’s Permit (D), Winery Permit (G), Wholesaler’s Permit (W) or a General Class B Wholesaler’s Permit (X). |
| General Distributor’s License (BB) | $3,500 | The General Distributor’s License (BB) authorizes the distribution of malt beverages. It includes the authority to import malt beverage products and transport products from the place of purchase to the permit holder’s business and from the place of sale or distribution to the purchaser. |
| Wholesaler’s Permit (W) | $4,000 | The Wholesaler’s Permit (W) authorizes the distribution of distilled spirits and wine. It includes the authority to import distilled spirits and wine, transport products from the place of purchase to the permit holder’s business and from the place of sale or distribution to the purchaser, and to store products. |
| General Class B Wholesaler’s Permit (X) | $3,500 | The General Class B Wholesaler’s Permit (X) authorizes the distribution of wine. It includes the authority to import wine, transport wine products from the place of purchase to the permit holder’s business and from the place of sale or distribution to the purchaser, and to store the products. |
| Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) | $5,300 (original) $2,650 (renewal) | The Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) authorizes the sale of distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages for on-premise consumption. It includes authority to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the MB’s licensed premises, provide guestroom minibars (hotels), and hold events at a temporary location away from the primary MB premises (there will be an approval process MB Permit holders must follow). |
| Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG) | $1,900 | The Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG) authorizes the sale of wine and malt beverages for on- and off- premise consumption. It also includes authority to hold events at a temporary location away from the primary BG premises (there will be an approval process BG Permit holders must follow). |
| Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Off-Premise Permit (BQ) | $1,900 | The Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Off-Premise Permit (BQ) authorizes the sale of malt beverages and wine for off-premise consumption. |
| Retail Dealer’s On-Premise License (BE) | $1,100 | The Retail Dealer’s On-Premise License (BE) authorizes the sale of malt beverages for on-premise consumption. *Grandfathered BEs in beer-only local option areas can sell malt beverages of up to 5% alcohol by volume. It includes authority to hold events at a temporary location away from the primary BE premises (there will be an approval process BE License holders must follow). |
| Retail Dealer’s Off-Premise License (BF) | $1,100 | The Retail Dealer’s Off-Premise License (BF) authorizes the sale of malt beverages for off-premise consumption. *Grandfathered BFs in beer-only local option areas can sell malt beverages of up to 5% alcohol by volume. |
| Private Club Registration Permit (N) | $2,600 | The Private Club Registration Permit (N) authorizes the storage and service of distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages for club members’ on-premise consumption, even in dry areas. It includes authority to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the private club’s licensed premises and to hold events at a temporary location away from the primary N premises (there will be an approval process N Permit holders must follow). |
| Private Club Malt Beverage and Wine Permit (NB) | $1,900 | The Private Club Malt Beverage and Wine Permit (NB) authorizes the storage and service of malt beverages and wine for club members’ on-premise consumption, even in dry areas. It includes authority to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the private club’s licensed premises and to hold events at a temporary location away from the primary NB premises (there will be an approval process NB Permit holders must follow). |
| Private Club Exemption Certificate (NE) | $0 | The Private Club Exemption Certificate (NE) authorizes fraternal and veterans organizations to serve alcoholic beverages to the organization’s members and their guests. It includes authority to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the private club’s licensed premises and to hold events at a temporary location away from the primary NE premises (there will be an approval process NE Permit holders must follow). |
| Package Store Permit (P) | $1,800 | The Package Store Permit (P) authorizes the sale of distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages to consumers for off-premise consumption. It includes authority for the package store to transport its inventory between its other licensed locations within the same county, to transport alcoholic beverage orders to its end-consumer customers (certain limitations apply), and to conduct product tastings on the package store premises. |
| Wine-Only Package Store Permit (Q) | $1,600 | The Wine-Only Package Store Permit (Q) authorizes the sale of malt beverages and wine to consumers for off-premise consumption. It includes authority for the Q Permit holder to transport its inventory between its other licensed locations within the same county, to transport alcoholic beverage orders to its end-consumer customers (certain limitations apply), and to conduct product tastings on the permitted premises. |
| Passenger Transportation Permit (TR) | $900 | The Passenger Transportation Permit (TR) authorizes airlines, buses, boats, and trains to sell and serve distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages for onboard consumption. |
| Nonprofit Entity Temporary Event Permit (NT) | $100 – $500 ($50 per day for two to 10 days) | The Nonprofit Entity Temporary Event Permit (NT) authorizes certain organizations to sell, serve and auction alcoholic beverages at a temporary event. |
| Consumer Delivery Permit (CD) | $10,000 | The Consumer Delivery Permit (CD) authorizes retailers and delivery companies, and their delivery drivers, to deliver alcoholic beverages sold by a retailer from the retailer’s premises to the ultimate consumer. |
| Bonded Warehouse Permit (J/JD) | $900 | The Bonded Warehouse Permit (J/JD) authorizes the holder to store distilled spirits and wine for producers and wholesalers. |
| Manufacturer’s Agent’s Warehousing Permit (AW) | $1,900 | The Manufacturer’s Agent’s Warehousing Permit (AW) authorizes the holder to store malt beverages imported from Mexico for export out of Texas. |
| Carrier’s Permit (C) | $1,100 | The Carrier’s Permit (C) authorizes the holder to take possession of and deliver distilled spirits and wine from the sender to a pre-determined recipient. Carrier’s Permit may be issued to a water carrier, airline, railway, motor carrier registered under Chapter 643 of the Transportation Code, or a common carrier operating under a certificate issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission. |
| Promotional Permit (PR) | $1,200 | The Promotional Permit (PR) authorizes the holder to conduct product tastings on behalf of manufacturing tier licensees and permittees. |
| Third-Party Local Cartage Permit (ET) | $600 | The Local Cartage Permit (ET) authorizes warehouses and transfer companies to transport and deliver distilled spirits and wine on behalf of other regulated businesses inside the corporate limits of any city or town in Texas. |
| Branch Distributor’s License (BC) | $1,500 | The Branch Distributor’s License (BC) is for holders of a General Distributor’s License (BB). It authorizes a general distributor to expand its distributing business to additional locations in any Texas county where the sale of malt beverages is legal. |
| Brewer’s Self-Distribution License (SD) | $1,200 | The Brewer’s Self Distribution License (SD) is for holders of a Brewer’s License (BW) that meet certain production thresholds. It authorizes brewers to sell malt beverages that they produce to retailers, distributors and wholesalers who are authorized to sell malt beverages in Texas. |
| Forwarding Center Authority (FC) | $2,000 | The Forwarding Center Authority (FC) is for holders of a Brewer’s License (BW), Distiller’s and Rectifier’s Permit (D), Winery Permit (G), Nonresident Brewer’s License (BN), or Non-Resident Seller’s Permit (S). It authorizes a holder who is transporting alcoholic beverages into and around the state to temporarily hold the beverages in a regional forwarding center. The center must be located in an area that allows the sale of the type of alcoholic beverages (aka “wet”) temporarily held in the forwarding center. City and county certifications are required. |
| Brewpub License (BP) | $1,100 | The Brewpub License (BP) is for holders of a Mixed Beverage Permit (MB), Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG), or Retail Dealer’s On-Premise License (BE). It authorizes a holder to brew, bottle, can, package, and label malt beverages. It authorizes the holder to sell the malt beverages it produces to ultimate consumers at the brewpub for on- or off-premise consumption. |
| Food and Beverage Certificate (FB) | $1,100 | The Food and Beverage Certificate (FB) is for holders of a Mixed Beverage Permit (MB), Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG), Retail Dealer’s On-Premise License (BE), Private Club Registration Permit (N), Private Club Malt Beverage and Wine Permit (NB), or Private Club Exemption Certificate (NE). It requires the holder to keep its alcohol sales at 60% or less of the total sales that occur within the licensed location. It allows the holder to be considered a restaurant (as opposed to other business models) and allows the holder to be exempt from posting a conduct surety bond. |
| Late Hours Certificate (LH) | $1,100 | The Late Hours Certificate (LH) is for holders of a Mixed Beverage Permit (MB), Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG), Retail Dealer’s On-Premise License (BE), Private Club Registration Permits (N/NB/NE), Private Club Malt Beverage and Wine Permit (NB), or Private Club Exemption Certificate (NE). It authorizes the holder to sell and/or serve between the hours of midnight and 2 a.m. |
| Water Park Permit (WP) | $300 | The Water Park Permit (WP) is for holders of a Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG) that operate a water park located primarily along the banks of the Comal River. If the holder has a Water Park Permit (WP) at two or more water park locations, the holder may transport alcoholic beverages between the premises of all water parks for which the holder has a Water Park Permit (WP). |
| Local Distributor’s Permit (LP) | $1,300 | The Local Distributor’s Permit (LP) is for holders of a Package Store Permit (P). It authorizes holders to sell all types of alcoholic beverages to Mixed Beverage Permits (MB) and Private Club Registration Permits (N/NB/NE). |