LIQUOR BOARD CONSULT ON NEW AMMENDMENTS
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board conducted a Public Consultation Workshop last week at the Cambridge SAPS Hall to present the amendments to all BCM Liquor Traders.
The main purpose of the consultation workshop is to ex-plain the rationale, process and background to the changes. Provide stakeholders an opportunity to engage and comment before finalisation and gazetting. The Eastern Cape Liquor Amendment Regulations 2025, which took effect on March 1, 2025, aim to strengthen re-sponsible liquor trading through stricter licensing and compliance measures.
Speaking during the workshop, Kerry-Anne Oosthuysen from Eastern Cape Liquor Board said, “Representations received from liquor traders through the Eastern Cape Liq-uor Forum (ECLF).” “Concerns were raised over affordability, impact on small traders and risk of outlet closures.” “The ECLB Demographic Study (2024) confirmed a disproportionate impact on tavern and emerging licence holders. Then the decision was taken to conduct public consultation workshops to present the proposed amendments.”
“The proposed amendments aimed to ensure fairness, inclusivity, and alignment with economic realities.”
The Key proposed amendments include:
* New registration (off consumption): R5 000 (no change)
* New registration (on-consumption): R5 000 → R8 000 (+60%) – reverts back to the 2013/2014 fees.
* New registration (on and off consumption): R 8000 → R4 000 (-50%)
* Manager’s appointment fee: R200 → R500 (+150%) Annual Renewal Fees
* Retail sale – off-consumption: R3 500 (no change)
* Retail sale – on-consumption: R2 500 → R3 500 (+40%)
* Retail sale – on & off consumption: R5 000 → R3 500 (–30%)
* If the ECLB deems it necessary, fees may be adjusted annually according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by Stats SA (1 October of the said year)
* Ensures gradual, predictable changes.
* The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the official measure of inflation in South Africa, published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
* It reflects the average change in prices of a fixed “basket” of goods and services that households commonly buy — such as food, transport, housing, and electricity.
* CPI shows how the cost-of-living changes over time and is used by government, businesses, and the South African Reserve Bank to make key decisions on wages, grants and interest rates etc. CPI over the last three years * 2022 - 6.9 % * 2023 - 6.0 %
* 2024 - 4.4 % All prescribed fees in terms of these Regulations, if deemed necessary by the Board, shall with effect from 1 October each year, be adjusted annually in line with the average Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published by Statistics South Africa. Annual fees are payable in respect of a certificate of registration.
* Public consultation notice published on the 10th October 2025.
* 30-day comment period ending 10 November 2025.
* Consolidation of inputs and submission to Hon MEC Pieters and Hon MEC Mvoko for concurrence.
* Final gazetting before renewal period opens on 1 December 2025 Submission of Comments:
* Submit to: Ronel de Bruin – DEDEAT, Palm Square Office Park, Bonza Bay Road, Beacon Bay or * Email: Ronel.debruin@dedea.gov.za | Copy to: Anele.Tsipa@dedea.gov.za
* Closing date: 10 November 2025. For more details regarding the sessions kindly contact the Easter Cape Liquor Board on 043 7000 900 or on their social media pages.
2025-11-10