Discussions to facilitate alcohol sales on e-commerce platforms

At a meeting held by the Vietnam Beverage Association (VBA) on November 24 to announce a training programme on the regulation of the alcoholic drinks business on e-commerce platforms, participants agreed that while the current regulations create favourable conditions for online sales platforms, many challenges still remain.

Chairman of the VBA Nguyen Van Viet said, "This is an opportunity and challenge for businesses in the beverage industry because regulations help them expand their business activities. At the same time, he asked them to be more active in learning about legal documents and to abide by them.”

Stakeholders discussed the prospects of the online sale of alcoholic drinks

The programme aims to support relevant agencies and businesses in the management of the alcoholic drinks business.

The Law on the Prevention and Control of Liquor and Beer Abuse adopted by the National Assembly in 2019, and Decree No.24/2020/ND-CP guiding the law, allow alcoholic beverage businesses to operate on e-commerce platforms and include regulations to ensure legal business activities and safety.

Nguyen Van Viet, chairman of the VBA

In Vietnam, alcoholic drinks are a conditional business. Before 2012, their sale was banned on the Internet. In 2017, the government loosened the rules by regulating that only drinks with an alcohol content of 15 per cent and higher were prohibited on online platforms.

Since January 2020, when the law took effect, alcoholic beverages on e-commerce sites have been managed by conditions but the 15 per cent limit was removed.

“Doing business on e-commerce platforms is a new model for the alcohol industry. The training programme will provide information and the necessary guidance,” Viet said.

Nguyen Anh Son, head of the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Industry and Trade

Nguyen Anh Son, head of the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, added that as of August 2022, the ministry received 130 documents from e-commerce platforms requesting wine and beer sales, 40 of which were approved.

However, there are some obstacles to the management of alcoholic beverage customers on e-commerce platforms, primarily ensuring that they are at least 18 years old.

Moreover, alcoholic drinks and beer products are frequently faked and sold on e-commerce sites. Therefore, state agencies face issues in ensuring the quality of products.

To deal with the situation, Son proposed carefully checking the completed regulations and clearly defining the responsibilities of individuals and businesses in relation to alcoholic drink sales on e-commerce platforms.

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