Alcoholic Beverage Control
Applying for a New Liquor License or Permit
Introduction
Welcome to the Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Licensing page!
When applying for or renewing liquor licenses or permits, you will be in contact with either the Licensing or Marketing Unit. If you are required to collect, file and pay liquor drink or liquor enforcement taxes, you will also be in contact with the Customer Relations Miscellaneous Tax Segment.
Definitions
Kansas is a license state that utilizes the three-tier system (suppliers or manufacturers sell alcoholic liquor and/or cereal malt beverages to distributors who sell to off-premise retailers who sell to on-premise licensees) and issues 17 different liquor licenses and 5 different permits. To view the definitions, click on the link below.
- Definitions of Liquor Licenses and Permits (Rev. 05/09)
- Definitions of Alcoholic Liquor and Cereal Malt Beverage (Rev. 04/09)
Licensing Unit
The Licensing Unit issues off-premise (retailer) and on-premise liquor licenses (caterer, class A club, class B club, drinking establishment, drinking establishment/caterer and hotel/drinking establishment) and temporary permits.
Submit your executed application packet and supporting documentation as instructed. K.S.A. 41-319 allows the ABC 30 days to process license applications. The time limit begins once all required documentation is received. See the Overview of the Licensing Segment's Liquor Licensing Process for On-Premise and Off-Premise Licenses for a detailed explanation of the application process.
Once the license has been approved, your license or temporary permit will be mailed to you and your license number and company information will be posted to the ABC Active Liquor Licensee database. To view your information, go to: https://www.kdor.org/abc/licensee/
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Licensing Unit at 785-296-7015 (press option #2) or send an e-mail to: abc_licensing@kdor.state.ks.us
Marketing Unit
The Marketing Unit processes brand registration and label approval requests; gallonage tax returns filed and paid by individuals bringing their alcoholic liquor into Kansas; and, issues the following licenses and permits:
- Distributor License
- Farm Winery and Farm Winery Outlet Licenses
- Manufacturer License
- Microbrewery and Microbrewery Packaging and Warehousing Facility Licenses
- Non-Beverage User License and Permit
- Salesperson Permit
- Supplier Permit
- Special Order Shipping License
Submit your executed application packet and supporting documentation as instructed. K.S.A. 41-319 allows the ABC 20 days to process farm winery, microbrewery and non-beverage user license applications and 30 days for all other licenses and permits. The time limit begins once all required documentation is received. See the Overview of the Marketing Unit's Liquor Licensing Process for Manufacturers, Warehouses, Distributors, Farm Wineries, Farm Winery Outlets, Microbreweries and Microbrewery Packaging and Warehousing Facilities for a detailed explanation of the application process.
Once the license or permit has been approved, your license or permit (except supplier and winery shipping permits) will be mailed to you and your license or permit number and company information will be posted to the ABC Active Liquor Licensee database. To view your information, go to: https://www.kdor.org/abc/licensee/.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Marketing Unit at 785-296-7015 (press option #1) or send an e-mail to: abc_marketing_unit@kdor.state.ks.us (abc_marketing_unit@kdor.state.ks.us).
Miscellaneous Tax Segment
The Customer Relations Miscellaneous Tax Unit within the Division of Taxation issues liquor enforcement and liquor drink tax certificates manages liquor tax accounts and liquor tax bonds.
We offer electronic filing and payment options for liquor enforcement and liquor drink taxes using our web application available at www.webtax.org. See the Liquor Drink and Liquor Enforcement Tax Web File Introduction and the Liquor Drink and Liquor Enforcement Tax Web File Quick Reference Guide for additional information.
If you are unable to electronically file and pay your liquor taxes at this time, please use the appropriate Liquor Tax Form below:
If you have questions or need assistance, you may contact the Customer Relations Miscellaneous Tax Unit at 785-368-8222 (select option #5 for all other taxes then select option #4 for liquor, cigarette or bingo) or send an e-mail to: