New York Alcoholic Beverage Control Bond Guide

If you're applying for a retail liquor license or other alcohol license in New York, you'll likely need to purchase a surety bond. Read on to learn all about the bonding process.

Bond Overview

Purpose: To ensure compliance with liquor laws and payment of liquor taxes
Who Needs It: Wine and liquor retailers and manufacturers in New York
Regulating Body: The New York Liquor Authority
Required Amounts: $1,000–$20,000, based on license type
Premium Rates: Vary based on the bond amount, starting at $100

What is a New York alcoholic beverage control bond?

New York Alcoholic Beverage Control Law requires individuals file a surety bond before being licensed as a liquor retailer, liquor transporter, liquor warehouse, or liquor wholesaler. State bond form L-9 is officially titled the “Bond in Support of Application for License or Permit Under the New York Alcoholic Beverage Control Law” but is more commonly known as the “alcohol license bond” or “liquor license bond.” These bonds require licensed liquor businesses to operate according to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law enforced by the State Liquor Authority.

Note: The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance enforces a separate New York Alcohol Distributor Bond requirement for businesses that distribute alcohol.

How much does a New York liquor license or alcoholic beverage bond cost?

New York alcoholic beverage control bond costs start at $100. Your bond premium will depend on your New York Liquor Authority license type and its required term.

Liquor Warehouse Permit: $250 for 3 years
On-Premises Wine and Liquor License: $175 for 2 years
Retail Liquor License: $250 for 3 years
Retail Liquor License Trucking Permit: $250 for 3 years
Seasonal Retail Liquor License: $100 annually
Wholesale Liquor License: starts at $100 annually

If you need a wholesale liquor license bond amount that's more than $10,000, your invoice will be provided after a quick application review.

How can you get a New York alcohol license or permit bond?

You can purchase your New York alcoholic beverage bond online 24/7. You'll need to provide the following information for New York Liquor Authority approval.

applicant name
physical business address
county
license type

Once your payment is received, your official bond documents will be delivered to your email instantly.

How fast can you get an alcoholic beverage control surety bond?

SuretyBonds.com offers instant email delivery for New York alcoholic beverage bonds 24/7. Purchase now to receive your official New York State liquor authority bond delivered in minutes by email.

Bond Type

Cost

$5,000Liquor Warehouse Permit Bond3 year term

$250

$1,000On-Premises Wine and Liquor License Bond2 year term

$175

$1,000Retail Liquor License Bond3 year term. Retail license to sell only beer, either for on-premises or off-premises consumption OR off-premises liquor and wine licenses (package and wine stores)

Starts at $250

$1,000Retail Liquor License Trucking Permit Bond3 year term

$250

$1,000Seasonal Retail Liquor License Bond1 year term

$100

$1,000-$10,000Wholesale Liquor License Bond1 year term

Starts at $100

$10,001-$20,000Wholesale Liquor License Bond1 year term

Starts at $120

If you have questions about New York alcoholic beverage control bond requirements, call 1(800)308-4358 to speak with a friendly surety expert. We're here to guide you through the liquor bond process so you can get back to running your business.

Who needs an alcohol permittee bond?

You might need a surety bond if you operate the following types of businesses in New York state or New York City.

bars
beer, wine, or liquor retailer
winery
any other establishment or premise that sells or serves any alcohol or spirits

New York Alcoholic Beverage Control Tax Bond

How does a New York alcohol license or permit bond work?

By filing a New York State alcohol bond, liquor licensees agree to work according to alcohol beverage control laws. This bond protects those harmed by a licensee's noncompliance. The issuing surety company will pay valid claims up to the full bond amount, which the licensee must then reimburse. Any violation outlined in New York State Law Article 10 is subject to punishment.

Who regulates liquor retailers, transporters, warehouses, and wholesalers?

The New York Liquor Authority enforces licensing regulations for alcoholic beverage licensees, including the New York alcoholic beverage control bond requirement. If you have questions about your surety bond, license application, or license status, you can contact the Liquor Authority by calling 1(518)474-3114 or emailing [email protected].

How do I update or change my alcoholic beverage control bond?

If the New York Liquor Authority requires your surety bond documentation to be updated for any reason, contact your surety company. If you purchased your alcoholic beverage control bond from SuretyBonds.com, email [email protected] to explain the needed change. The most common changes requested for these bonds are the business name, address, or county.

How do I renew my state liquor authority bond?

You must renew your alcohol license bond before its current term expires. Once you pay your SuretyBonds.com renewal invoice, we'll email you renewal instructions to keep your bond active for your next license term.

Seasonal retail and wholesale liquor licenses and bonds are issued for 1 year.
On-premises wine and liquor licenses and bonds are issued for 2 years.
Liquor warehouse, retail liquor, and retail liquor trucking licenses and bonds are issued for 3 years.

What are the requirements for a liquor license in New York?

Your licensee requirements will vary depending on which permit you need. You can find more information on specific licensing requirements in the Additional Resources section below. You'll file your alcohol license or liquor permit application with the Alcoholic Beverage Control once you've purchased your surety bond in the correct required amount.