The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) issues a licence that allow you to deliver liquor to customers for a fee. Licences are valid for either two or four years, at which time you must apply for a licence renewal.
A Licence to Deliver Liquor allows a licensee to deliver liquor purchased or obtained from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) or Brewers Retail Inc. (The Beer Store), any manufacturer’s on-site, licensed grocery stores on behalf of a customer or off-site retail store or an eligible liquor licensed establishment to individuals for a fee. A licence holder is not selling liquor – the licensee is an agent for another person who is legally entitled to purchase liquor or the liquor licensed establishment or retail store that is directing the delivery of an order to a customer. Liquor may not be purchased or obtained prior to receiving an order.
You should apply for a new licence if:
Transfer licences are issued for the remaining time period on the licence. A transfer of the licence is required if:
A transfer will not be approved if the current licensee has an outstanding monetary penalty or if the recipient of the transfer would not be eligible to be issued a licence.
A licensee may contract out the operation of the business to another person who is applying to receive the transfer of the licence if regulatory requirements are met. The licensee remains liable under the licence during the period for which the operation of the business has been contracted out.
The ability to contract out the operation of the business expires, on the issuance of the transfer of the licence; or on the issuance of a notice of proposal to refuse the transfer.
You can apply for and manage any AGCO licence, endorsement or permit, including those described in this guide, online, through the iAGCO portal.
Note: You should allow at least eight weeks to get a licence. However, the process can take longer if your application is incomplete or inaccurate.
You can apply for a Liquor Delivery Service Licence online by creating an iAGCO account at www.agco.ca/iagco. Through your iAGCO account, you will be able to check the status of your application.
You will be contacted if additional information is required.
If there are no problems with your application or the liquor delivery service, your application will likely be approved.
If there is a concern about you or the past operation of the liquor delivery service, you may be requested to attend a meeting (or a conference call). In this case, AGCO staff will schedule the appointment or conference call and will inform you of the date, place and time. After this meeting staff will either:
Note: If the Registrar proposes to refuse your application, you are entitled to a hearing before the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT). LAT will provide you with more information about the hearing process.
Once the Registrar receives all the required fee and information and is satisfied that your liquor delivery service conforms with the LLCA and its regulations, your application will be approved.
The written confirmation that your licence application has been reviewed will also state whether or not the AGCO needs any other information. Proof of transfer confirming that your purchase of the business has been finalized must be submitted. The Registrar will then issue your licence.
The following are required to apply for a Liquor Delivery Service Licence:
* For complete information, please refer to the Personal and Entity Disclosure Requirements Guide.
For transfers, the following documents will also be required:
Please note:
Once an order has been placed, a licensee may purchase or obtain the requested liquor at any retail store under the LLCA. This includes the LCBO, The Beer Store and any manufacturer’s on-site or off-site retail store (such as a retail wine store), or a licensed grocery store on behalf of a customer or the holder of an auction permit.
Licensees cannot purchase beer, wine and/or cider from any authorized grocery stores in which they hold an interest
Liquor with food orders can also be purchased or obtained from eligible liquor licensed establishments. Where acting on behalf of a liquor licensed establishment or by the glass endorsement, the Liquor Delivery Service must do so under an arrangement with the establishment for that purpose.
A licensee can deliver on behalf of an eligible liquor licensed establishment or on behalf of certain retail stores. Customers can order directly from an eligible liquor licensed establishment or retail store who then engages the Liquor Delivery Service to complete delivery.
Liquor must only be delivered to a residence or private place. The licensee must ensure that drinks are not tampered with or opened.
All individuals purchasing or delivering liquor must be at least 18 years of age and carry a copy of the Liquor Delivery Service licence. Licensees (and any employees and contractors) must understand the obligations under the LLCA, its regulations and standards or requirements established by the Registrar.
Licensees cannot purchase beer, wine or cider from any licensed grocery stores in which they hold an interest.
All orders for liquor placed with a Liquor Delivery Service, whether for delivery from a liquor sales licensee or retail store, must include the following information, along with the licensee’s name and address:
The licensee must keep the above noted records for each order for one year from the date of delivery.
In addition, for deliveries by a liquor delivery licensee from a retail store, the licensee must also keep, for one year, a copy of every order given to the licensee by the retail store.
The permissible hours for the delivery of liquor by a Liquor Delivery Service are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. for liquor purchased or obtained from eligible liquor licensed establishments, by the glass endorsements, retail stores and auction permit holders.
Liquor Delivery Service licensees are allowed to store liquor that has been ordered by a customer.
Liquor must be stored securely before delivery and accessible only to the licensees (including employees and contractors). Storage is not be permissible in a dwelling and the licensee must ensure that the liquor is not opened or tampered with.
Liquor that cannot be delivered must be returned to the store or licensed liquor establishment from which it was purchased or obtained for a refund.
A Liquor Delivery Service cannot deliver liquor to, or allow a delivery to be accepted by, anyone under 19 years of age.
If it is suspected that a person is underage, the licensee must check the suspected minor’s identification. Identification must reasonably appear to have been issued by a government and include the person’s photograph and date of birth.
Licensees also must make sure that they do not supply or deliver liquor to anyone who is or appears to be intoxicated.
Licensees may enter into non-exclusive agreements with liquor manufacturers with on-site retail stores or winery off-site retail stores and The Beer Store to facilitate or promote the delivery of liquor. Where a Liquor Delivery Service chooses to enter into such agreements, the agreement cannot restrict a Liquor Delivery Service or manufacturer from entering into further agreements with other manufacturers.
For more information, please contact AGCO Customer Service at 416-326-8700 or 1-800-522-2876 (toll-free in Ontario).
Details about your responsibilities as a licensee under the LLCA and its regulations are available online at www.ontario.ca/laws or by contacting Publications Ontario (Key Liquor Industry Contacts).
It is the licensee’s responsibility to ensure they and their employees and contractors are informed of the laws, regulations, standards or requirements established by the Registrar, and any conditions affecting their licence.