FL-II Licence Maharashtra — Retail Foreign Liquor Shop (Wine Shop)

What is an FL-II licence?

An FL-II licence under the Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953 (BFLR) is the licence that authorises retail off-the-shop sale of foreign liquor — IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor), including whisky, rum, vodka, gin, brandy, wine and beer — in Maharashtra.

In common parlance, an FL-II shop is often called a wine shop, though the licence covers all foreign liquor categories, not just wine. The customer buys at the counter and takes the liquor off the premises; there is no on-premise consumption (that requires an FL-III licence).

Legal basis

• Section 139 of the Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 — rule-making authority.
• Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953 — Rule 25 (vendor's licence), Rule 42A (vendor's licence conditions and restrictions), and the retail shop operating conditions.
• Periodicity and Fees Rules, 1996 — fee schedule and renewal cycle.
• Government Order of 21.09.2019 — transferred FL-II licensing authority to the District Collector.

Who issues the FL-II licence?

Since 21 September 2019, the District Collector is the licensing authority for FL-II licences in Maharashtra. The Collector grants, renews, suspends and cancels FL-II licences through the District Collectorate's Excise branch, with field-level operational oversight by the Superintendent of State Excise.

Population-based quota

FL-II licences are issued on a strict population-based quota — a fixed number of FL-II shops per lakh of population in each local body area. New FL-II licences are granted only when the quota permits, making an FL-II licence one of the most sought-after excise licences in the State.

This quota structure also means that an existing FL-II licence carries significant market value — the licence can be transferred (with prior approval of the Collector) for a substantial consideration in areas where the quota is saturated.

Fee by population bracket

The FL-II licence fee is set by the Periodicity and Fees Rules, 1996 and varies by the population of the local body where the shop is located. The fee is annual, payable in advance at grant and at each renewal.

Operating conditions

• Operating hours — standard FL-II hours in Maharashtra typically run from 11:00 to 22:00.
• Dry days — notified by the State Government (national holidays, specific religious occasions, election days).
• Distance restrictions — minimum distance from schools, religious places and highways under the Rules.
• Age restriction — sale to persons below 25 years is prohibited under section 23 of the Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949.
• No on-premise consumption — FL-II is strictly a counter-sale, take-away licence.

Related licences

• FL-I — wholesale foreign liquor (supplies to FL-II and FL-III). Granted by the Commissioner of State Excise.
• FL-II — retail off-the-shop foreign liquor (this page).
• FL-III — on-premise consumption (hotel/restaurant/bar).
• FL-IV — club licence (members-only, on-premise consumption).
• FL-W — dedicated wine shop (concessional terms for grape wine).