S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-1740 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 17 / Section 61-4-1740
SECTION 61-4-1740. Authority of permittee.
Status: in_force

A brewpub permit authorizes the holder to: (1) produce on the permitted premises a maximum of two thousand barrels a year of beer for sale: (a) on draft for consumption on the premises; (b) in a sanitary container brought to the premises by the purchaser and filled at the tap by the permittee at the time of sale; and (c) in bottles for consumption by the purchaser off the premises; (2) sell the beer of a producer which has been purchased from a wholesaler through the normal three-tier distribution chain set forth in Section 61-4-940; (3) serve food or otherwise be qualified as a public eating establishment. This provision may not be construed to exempt a permittee or licensee from the requirement that food must be served in order for a license for the consumption of alcoholic liquors on the premises to be issued.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1540 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-1540
SECTION 61-6-1540. Nonalcoholic merchandise.
Status: reserved

(A) Except as provided in subsection (B), no other goods, wares, or merchandise may be kept or stored in or sold in or from a retail alcoholic liquor store or place of business, and no place of amusement may be maintained in or in connection with the store. However, retail dealers may sell: (1) drinking glassware packaged together with alcoholic liquors if the glassware and alcoholic liquors are packaged together by the wholesaler or producer in packaging provided by the producer; (2) nonalcoholic items, other than beer or wine, packaged together with alcoholic liquors if the nonalcoholic items and alcoholic liquors are in sealed packages and are packaged together by the alcoholic liquor producer at its place of business; and (3) lottery tickets under the provisions of Chapter 150 of Title 59. (B) Retail dealers licensed pursuant to the provisions of this article may sell all wines in the stores or places of business covered by their respective licenses, whether declared alcoholic or nonalcoholic or nonintoxicating by the laws of this State. Wines containing more than sixteen and one-half percent of alcohol by volume may be sold only in licensed alcoholic liquor stores or in establishments licensed to sell and permit consumption of alcoholic liquors by the drink. The provisions of this section do not amend, alter, or modify the taxes imposed on wines or the collection and enforcement of these taxes. Editor's Note 2021 Act No. 60, SECTIONS 1 and 11, provide as follows: "SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds and declares that: "(A) The State has a substantial interest in regulating alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol; the activities of manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers; and the influences that affect the consumption levels of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by the people of the State. "(B) The State has a substantial interest in exercising its police power to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the State by regulating the business of manufacturing, distributing, and retail sales of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol in the manner and to the extent allowed by law to promote and preserve public health and safety through legitimate, nonprotectionist measures, which include regulating and controlling alcoholic beverage transactions in this State and the means and manner in which licensed micro-distilleries and alcoholic liquor manufacturers may sell alcoholic beverages to the state's qualifying consumers. "(C) Selling alcoholic liquors from manufacturers outside the State directly to residents of this State poses a serious threat to the state's efforts to prevent underage drinking, to state revenue collections, and to the public health and safety of the state's residents. "(D) By this act, the General Assembly intends to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of residents of this State with laws intended to strictly regulate alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by preserving and promoting a robust, stable system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public that does not provide for economic protectionism. Excessive use of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol has wide-ranging deleterious health effects, including death. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control, during the period from 2011 to 2015, an average of one thousand six hundred seventy-nine of this state's residents suffered alcohol attributed deaths due to excessive alcohol use and the rate of binge drinking in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this State had two hundred eighty-five alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2019, which accounted for twenty-eight percent of the total traffic fatalities in the State. Attributed deaths due to alcohol-impaired driving in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. "(E) This act has been enacted pursuant to the authority granted to the State by the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the powers reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the inherent powers of the State under the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, and the statutes promulgated thereunder. It is the intent of the General Assembly that this act do all of the following: "(1) further regulate and control transactions in this State as to beverages containing alcohol under the control and supervision of the Department of Revenue; "(2) strictly regulate alcoholic beverage transactions by fostering moderation and responsibility in the use and consumption of beverages containing alcohol; "(3) promote and assure the public's interest in fair and efficient distribution and quality control of alcoholic beverages in this State; "(4) promote orderly marketing of alcoholic beverages; "(5) prevent unfair business practices, discrimination, and undue control of one segment of the alcoholic beverage industry by any other segment; "(6) foster vigorous and healthy competition in the alcoholic beverage industry and protect the interests of consumers against fraud and misleading practices in the sale of alcoholic beverages, and avoid problems associated with indiscriminate price cutting and excessive advertising of alcoholic beverages; "(7) provide for an orderly system of public revenues by facilitating the collection and accountability of this State and local excise taxes; "(8) facilitate the collection of state and local revenue; "(9) maintain trade stability and provide for the continuation of control and orderly processing by the State over the regulation of alcoholic beverage manufacturing locations and the process of selling alcoholic beverages to the state's consumers; "(10) ensure that the Department of Revenue and State Law Enforcement Division are able to monitor licensed operations through on-site inspections to confirm compliance with state law and that any alcoholic beverages shipped into, distributed, and sold throughout this State: "(a) have been registered for sale in this State with the Department of Revenue, as prescribed by law; "(b) are not subject to a government-mandated or supplier-initiated recall; "(c) are not counterfeit; "(d) are labeled in conformance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; "(e) can be inspected and tested by the Department of Revenue or the State Law Enforcement Division; and "(f) are not prohibited by this State; "(11) promote and maintain a sound, stable, and viable three-tier system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public; and "(12) ensure that statutes and regulations relating to alcoholic beverages exist to serve the interests of the State of South Carolina and its citizens rather than to serve or protect the interests of market participants by adopting protectionist measures with no demonstrable connection to the state's legitimate interests in regulating alcoholic beverages." "SECTION 11. A state agency with regulations specifying alcohol content percentages different from the percentages passed in this act must promulgate revised regulations to conform to the changes in this act. Until such time as the regulations are conformed, the percentages in the statutory provisions passed in this act supersede any differing percentages in the regulations." Effect of Amendment 2021 Act No. 60, SECTION 8, in (B), substituted "sixteen and one-half percent" for "sixteen percent".
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1640 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 61-6-1640
SECTION 61-6-1640. Sampling of wine, cordials, and distilled spirits.
Status: reserved

Notwithstanding the provisions of this subarticle or any other provision of law, an establishment licensed pursuant to Article 5 of this chapter is authorized to conduct samplings of wines in excess of sixteen and one-half percent alcohol, cordials, and distilled spirits, if the sampling is conducted as follows: (1) the establishment must have a permanent seating capacity of fifty or more persons; (2) samples may not be offered from more than four products at any one time; (3) the sampling must be held in the bar area of a licensed establishment and all open bottles must be visible at all times. All open bottles must be removed at the conclusion of the tasting; (4) samples must be less than one-half ounce for each product sampled; (5) a person may not be served more than one sample of each product; (6) sampling may not be offered for more than four hours; (7) at least five days before the sampling, a letter detailing the specific date and hours of the sampling must be mailed first class to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; (8) a sample may not be offered to, or allowed to be consumed by, an intoxicated person or a person under the age of twenty-one years; (9) a licensed establishment may not offer more than one sampling each day; and (10) the sampling must be conducted by the manufacturer or wholesaler or an agent of the manufacturer or wholesaler. Editor's Note 2021 Act No. 60, SECTIONS 1 and 11, provide as follows: "SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds and declares that: "(A) The State has a substantial interest in regulating alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol; the activities of manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers; and the influences that affect the consumption levels of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by the people of the State. "(B) The State has a substantial interest in exercising its police power to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the State by regulating the business of manufacturing, distributing, and retail sales of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol in the manner and to the extent allowed by law to promote and preserve public health and safety through legitimate, nonprotectionist measures, which include regulating and controlling alcoholic beverage transactions in this State and the means and manner in which licensed micro-distilleries and alcoholic liquor manufacturers may sell alcoholic beverages to the state's qualifying consumers. "(C) Selling alcoholic liquors from manufacturers outside the State directly to residents of this State poses a serious threat to the state's efforts to prevent underage drinking, to state revenue collections, and to the public health and safety of the state's residents. "(D) By this act, the General Assembly intends to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of residents of this State with laws intended to strictly regulate alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by preserving and promoting a robust, stable system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public that does not provide for economic protectionism. Excessive use of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol has wide-ranging deleterious health effects, including death. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control, during the period from 2011 to 2015, an average of one thousand six hundred seventy-nine of this state's residents suffered alcohol attributed deaths due to excessive alcohol use and the rate of binge drinking in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this State had two hundred eighty-five alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2019, which accounted for twenty-eight percent of the total traffic fatalities in the State. Attributed deaths due to alcohol-impaired driving in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. "(E) This act has been enacted pursuant to the authority granted to the State by the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the powers reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the inherent powers of the State under the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, and the statutes promulgated thereunder. It is the intent of the General Assembly that this act do all of the following: "(1) further regulate and control transactions in this State as to beverages containing alcohol under the control and supervision of the Department of Revenue; "(2) strictly regulate alcoholic beverage transactions by fostering moderation and responsibility in the use and consumption of beverages containing alcohol; "(3) promote and assure the public's interest in fair and efficient distribution and quality control of alcoholic beverages in this State; "(4) promote orderly marketing of alcoholic beverages; "(5) prevent unfair business practices, discrimination, and undue control of one segment of the alcoholic beverage industry by any other segment; "(6) foster vigorous and healthy competition in the alcoholic beverage industry and protect the interests of consumers against fraud and misleading practices in the sale of alcoholic beverages, and avoid problems associated with indiscriminate price cutting and excessive advertising of alcoholic beverages; "(7) provide for an orderly system of public revenues by facilitating the collection and accountability of this State and local excise taxes; "(8) facilitate the collection of state and local revenue; "(9) maintain trade stability and provide for the continuation of control and orderly processing by the State over the regulation of alcoholic beverage manufacturing locations and the process of selling alcoholic beverages to the state's consumers; "(10) ensure that the Department of Revenue and State Law Enforcement Division are able to monitor licensed operations through on-site inspections to confirm compliance with state law and that any alcoholic beverages shipped into, distributed, and sold throughout this State: "(a) have been registered for sale in this State with the Department of Revenue, as prescribed by law; "(b) are not subject to a government-mandated or supplier-initiated recall; "(c) are not counterfeit; "(d) are labeled in conformance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; "(e) can be inspected and tested by the Department of Revenue or the State Law Enforcement Division; and "(f) are not prohibited by this State; "(11) promote and maintain a sound, stable, and viable three-tier system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public; and "(12) ensure that statutes and regulations relating to alcoholic beverages exist to serve the interests of the State of South Carolina and its citizens rather than to serve or protect the interests of market participants by adopting protectionist measures with no demonstrable connection to the state's legitimate interests in regulating alcoholic beverages." "SECTION 11. A state agency with regulations specifying alcohol content percentages different from the percentages passed in this act must promulgate revised regulations to conform to the changes in this act. Until such time as the regulations are conformed, the percentages in the statutory provisions passed in this act supersede any differing percentages in the regulations." Effect of Amendment 2021 Act No. 60, SECTION 6, in the first undesignated paragraph, substituted "sixteen and one-half percent" for "sixteen percent".
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-1920 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 19 / Section 61-4-1920
SECTION 61-4-1920. Keg registration requirements; underage transfer statement; returned kegs; deposit.
Status: in_force

(A) A retail licensee shall not sell a keg of beer without: (1) recording the date of sale, the keg identification number, the name, address, and birth date of the purchaser, and the driver's license or identification card number presented by the purchaser; (2) requiring the purchaser to sign a statement attesting to the accuracy of the purchaser's information, acknowledging that, unless otherwise permitted by law, it is unlawful to transfer beer to a person under the age of twenty-one, and that, unless otherwise permitted by law, the beer in the keg will not be consumed by a person under the age of twenty-one; and (3) attaching an identification tag to the keg with the name, address, and license number of the retail licensee and the keg identification number. An identification tag must consist of paper, plastic, metal, or durable material that is not easily damaged or destroyed. An identification tag must be attached to the keg at the time of the sale with a nylon tie or cording, wire tie or other metal attachment device, or other durable means of tying or attaching the tag to the keg. (B) The Department of Revenue shall prescribe and provide the form to be used that contains the keg identification information and the purchaser's statement. The Department of Revenue also shall prescribe and provide the keg identification tag and the manner in which the tag must be attached to the keg. (C) The retail licensee shall maintain the keg identification form and the purchaser's statement form for a minimum of ninety days from the date the keg is purchased. These forms must be available during normal business hours for inspection by the Department of Revenue and appropriate law enforcement agencies. (D) The retail licensee shall record the date of return of a keg on the proper identification form. After the keg is returned, it shall be the responsibility of the retail licensee to remove the tag. The purchaser shall receive a receipt from the retail licensee that the keg was returned with the tag appropriately affixed. If there is no tag affixed to the keg or if the identification number is not legible, the retail licensee shall indicate this fact on the proper keg identification and purchaser statement form. (E) A retail licensee must accept all returned kegs, and upon the licensee's discretion, may not refund the deposit for a keg that has an altered identification number. (F) A retail licensee who violates the provisions of this section is subject to suspension or revocation of his beer or wine license or monetary penalties pursuant to Section 61-4-250. A person who violates a provision of this section: (1) for a first offense, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than three hundred dollars; and (2) for a second or subsequent offense, must be fined not less than four hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-10-90 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 10 / Article 1 / Section 61-10-90
SECTION 61-10-90. Penalties.
Status: in_force

A druggist or physician who violates the provisions of this article must, in addition to the punishment provided in this article, have his license revoked for not more than one year for each offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-220 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 2 / Section 61-2-220
SECTION 61-2-220. Affidavit for search warrant.
Status: in_force

When this title provides that a search warrant may be issued upon an affidavit based on information and belief, the affidavit must contain a statement setting forth the sources of information and the facts and grounds of belief upon which the affiant bases his belief.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4120 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4120
SECTION 61-6-4120. Materials used in the manufacture of alcoholic liquors.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to make, manufacture, transport, possess, or knowingly permit upon one's premises mash, wort, wash, buck, or other similar material or compound suitable for or commonly used in the manufacture of alcoholic liquors with the intent that the material or compound be used in the manufacture of alcoholic liquors in violation of the laws of this State; the making, manufacture, transportation, possession, or knowingly permitting upon one's premises such material or compound is considered to be a part of the process of the manufacture of alcoholic liquors; and a person found in possession of the material or compound or found at a place where the material or compound is stored, kept, made, manufactured, or found is prima facie guilty of a violation of this section. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows: (a) for a first offense, by a fine of not less than six hundred dollars or imprisonment for six months; (b) for a second offense, by a fine of one thousand five hundred dollars or imprisonment for one year; and (c) for a third or subsequent offense, by a fine of three thousand dollars or imprisonment for two years.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-700 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 7 / Section 61-4-700
SECTION 61-4-700. Wine labeling.
Status: in_force

27 Code of Federal Regulations part 4, relating to "Labeling and Advertising of Wine", is adopted for the labeling and advertising of wine sold or offered for sale in this State, except insofar as 27 Code of Federal Regulations part 4 differs from laws of the State or from regulations of the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-950 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 9 / Section 61-4-950
SECTION 61-4-950. Beer signs.
Status: in_force

Neither the department nor the division has the authority to regulate the size, type, or number of beer signs displayed on the premises of a beer retailer or wholesaler.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-250 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 1 / Section 61-4-250
SECTION 61-4-250. Penalties.
Status: in_force

For violations of this chapter, or of Chapter 21 or 33 of Title 12, and for a violation of any regulation pertaining to beer or wine, the department may, in its discretion, impose a monetary penalty upon the holder of a beer or wine license in lieu of suspension or revocation. In these cases, the amount of any penalty imposed must be determined within the limits prescribed in this section in each case by the department after a hearing as provided in the South Carolina Revenue Procedures Act and the Administrative Procedures Act. For these violations: (1) retail beer and wine licensees are subject to a penalty of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one thousand dollars; and (2) wholesale beer and wine licensees are subject to a penalty of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars. The department in its discretion may suspend payment of a fine or a monetary penalty imposed under this section. If the department imposes a monetary penalty under this section which is not paid or a contested case hearing requested within thirty days after demand by the department, the license or licenses may be suspended or revoked by the department. Penalties provided for in this section are in addition to any fines and penalties imposed upon the licensees by any court of competent jurisdiction for violation of the laws of this State. Penalties provided for in this section must be paid to the State Treasurer for credit to the general fund of the State for public school use.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-130 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-130
SECTION 61-6-130. Licensees per household.
Status: in_force

No license may be issued to more than one member of a household in this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-145 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 2 / Section 61-2-145
SECTION 61-2-145. Liability insurance coverage required; on-premises consumption.
Status: in_force

Section effective until January 1, 2026. See, also, section 61-2-145 effective January 1, 2026. (A) In addition to all other requirements, a person licensed or permitted to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, which remains open after five o'clock p.m. to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, is required to maintain a liquor liability insurance policy or a general liability insurance policy with a liquor liability endorsement for a total coverage of at least one million dollars during the period of the biennial permit or license. Failure to maintain this coverage constitutes grounds for suspension or revocation of the permit or license. (B) The department shall add this requirement to all applications and renewals for biennial permits or licenses to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, in which the permittees and licensees remain open and sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption after five o'clock p.m. Each applicant or person renewing its license or permit, to whom this requirement applies, shall provide the department with documentation of a liquor liability insurance policy or a general liability insurance policy with a liquor liability endorsement in the required amounts. (C) Each insurer writing liquor liability insurance policies or general liability insurance policies with a liquor liability endorsement to a person licensed or permitted to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, in which the person so licensed or permitted remains open to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption after five o'clock p.m., must notify the department in a manner prescribed by department regulation of the lapse or termination of the liquor liability insurance policy or the general liability insurance policy with a liquor liability endorsement. (D) For the purposes of this section, the term "alcoholic beverages" means beer, wine, alcoholic liquors, and alcoholic liquor by the drink as defined in Chapter 4, Title 61, and Chapter 6, Title 61.Section effective January 1, 2026. See, also, section 61-2-145 effective until January 1, 2026. (A) In addition to all other requirements, a person licensed or permitted to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, which remains open after five o'clock p.m. to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, is required to maintain a liquor liability insurance policy or a general liability insurance policy with a liquor liability endorsement with an annual aggregate limit of at least one million dollars during the period of the biennial permit or license, unless the person licensed or permitted to sell alcoholic beverages qualifies under the terms of a liquor liability risk mitigation program pursuant to subsection (E). Failure to maintain this coverage during the entire period of the biennial permit or license constitutes grounds for suspension or revocation of the permit or license and is sufficient grounds for the department to seek an emergency revocation order as provided in Sections 12-60-1340 and 1-23-370(c). An insurance policy issued pursuant to this section must provide for minimum coverage of at least fifty percent of the total aggregate limit, per occurrence, giving rise to the claim. (B) The department shall add this requirement to all applications and renewals for biennial permits or licenses to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, in which the permittees and licensees remain open and sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption after five o'clock p.m. Each applicant or person renewing its license or permit, to whom this requirement applies, shall provide the department with documentation of a liquor liability insurance policy or a general liability insurance policy with a liquor liability endorsement in the required amounts. (C) Each insurer writing liquor liability insurance policies or general liability insurance policies with a liquor liability endorsement to a person licensed or permitted to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, in which the person so licensed or permitted remains open to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption after five o'clock p.m., must notify the department in a manner prescribed by department regulation of the lapse or termination of the liquor liability insurance policy or the general liability insurance policy with a liquor liability endorsement within thirty days of the lapse or termination. (D) For the purposes of this section, the term "alcoholic beverages" means beer, wine, alcoholic liquors, and alcoholic liquor by the drink as defined in Chapter 4, Title 61, and Chapter 6, Title 61. (E) A person licensed or permitted to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, which remains open after five o'clock p.m. to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, may qualify for liquor liability risk mitigation. A licensee or permittee qualifies if the licensee or permittee: (1) stops serving alcohol by twelve o'clock a.m. for the entire policy period; (2) has all employees who serve alcohol complete an alcohol server training course pursuant to Title 61, Chapter 3, within sixty days of employment in that capacity; (3) has less than forty percent of its total sales deriving from alcohol sales; (4) uses a forensic digital identification system that validates the identification of any person attempting to enter the premises between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.; or (5) is a nonprofit organization which is exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of United States Code, as amended, or the entity is engaging in a single event for which a Beer and Wine Special Event License or Liquor Special Event Permit is obtained. (6) A licensee or permittee meeting the requirement of item (1) may reduce the required annual aggregate limit by two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. A licensee or permittee meeting the requirements of item (2), (3) or (4) may reduce the required annual aggregate limit by one hundred thousand dollars per item satisfied. A licensee or permittee meeting the requirements of item (5) may reduce the annual aggregate limit by five hundred thousand dollars. A licensee or permittee who has met the requirements of any combination of items (1)-(5) must receive the permitted reduction in the required annual aggregate limit for each item the licensee or permittee complies with provided a person licensed or permitted to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, which remains open after five o'clock p.m. to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, must at all times maintain coverage with an annual aggregate limit of at least three hundred thousand dollars during the entire period of the biennial permit or license. (7) Insurers must establish liquor liability mitigation measures and offer reasonable premium discounts for compliance therewith that reduce the risk to the general public associated with the service of on-premises consumption of alcohol. (F) Permittees and licensees selling alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption at any time between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. shall use a forensic digital identification system that validates the identification of any person attempting to enter the premises as a patron. (G) For purposes of this section, the calculation of total sales shall include sales of alcohol sold for on-premises consumption and all food and nonalcoholic beverages sold on the premises where the alcohol is sold, including food and nonalcoholic beverages sold by third-party vendors. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 42, SECTION 11, provides as follows: "SECTION 11. This act takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to causes of action or claims arising or accruing after January 1, 2026, and applies to all policies issued after that date, other than Section 61-4-523 which takes effect upon approval by the Governor." 2017 Act No. 45, SECTION 2, provides as follows: "This act takes effect on July 1, 2017, and any person applying for a new biennial permit or license for on-premises consumption under Title 61 after this date must comply with the provisions of this act at the time of the application. A person renewing a biennial permit or license under Title 61 after this date must comply with the provisions of this act at the time of the renewal." Effect of Amendment 2025 Act No. 42, SECTION 8, rewrote (A); in (C), inserted "within thirty days of the lapse or termination" at the end; and added (E) to (G).
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4030 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4030
SECTION 61-6-4030. Transportation of alcoholic liquors in taxi or other vehicle for hire.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for a person to transport alcoholic liquors in a motor vehicle used as a taxi or used in the transportation of passengers for hire; however, this prohibition does not apply to lawful alcoholic liquors belonging to a passenger being transported when the alcoholic liquors are in the baggage of the passenger or upon his or her person. If alcoholic liquors are found in the vehicle, the vehicle must be seized and forfeited as provided for in Sections 61-6-4350 to 61-6-4460, and the alcoholic liquors must be seized as contraband and sold as provided in Section 61-6-4310. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows: (a) for a first offense, by a fine of not less than six hundred dollars or imprisonment for six months; (b) for a second offense, by a fine of one thousand five hundred dollars or imprisonment for one year; and (c) for a third or subsequent offense, by a fine of three thousand dollars or imprisonment for two years.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4085 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4085
SECTION 61-6-4085. Charges against seller and minor purchaser; compliance tester exception.
Status: in_force

(A) If a person is charged with a violation of the unlawful sale of alcoholic liquors to minors pursuant to Section 61-6-4080, the minor also must be charged with a violation of the unlawful purchase or possession of alcoholic liquors pursuant to Section 63-19-2450. In addition, if the minor provided false information as to his age pursuant to Section 63-19-2450(A) or if an adult violated the provisions of Section 61-6-4075 regarding purchasing alcoholic liquors for a person who cannot lawfully buy them, these persons also must be charged with their violations. (B) A person may not be charged with a violation of Section 61-6-4080 if the provisions of subsection (A) are not met. (C) Nothing in this section requires that charges made pursuant to this section be prosecuted to conclusion; but rather this determination must be made in the manner provided by law. (D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (A) and (B), a person under the age of twenty-one may be recruited and authorized by a law enforcement agency to test an establishment's compliance with laws relating to the unlawful transfer or sale of alcoholic liquors to a minor. The testing must be under the direct supervision of a law enforcement agency, and the agency must have the person's parental consent. If the requirements of this subsection are met, a person may be charged with a violation of Section 61-6-4080 without the requirement that the minor also be charged.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4210 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4210
SECTION 61-6-4210. General penalties.
Status: in_force

A person who violates any provision of the ABC Act, except where a different punishment is expressly provided, must, upon conviction, be punished by a fine or imprisonment in the discretion of the court of general sessions.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4530 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4530
SECTION 61-6-4530. Notes of indebtedness.
Status: in_force

A note or other evidence of indebtedness contracted in the sale or transportation of unlawful liquors is null and void. Nor may an action or suit for the recovery of the indebtedness be entertained in any court in this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1150 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-1150
SECTION 61-6-1150. Tastings and retail sales; additional limitations and requirements.
Status: reserved

Authorization by this section of sales and tastings at licensed premises of a micro-distillery or manufacturer is expressly intended for the promotion of education regarding production of alcoholic liquors in the State and not to create competition between producers and retailers. A holder of a valid micro-distillery or manufacturer license issued by the State may: (1) sell in any quantities the alcoholic liquors produced at the licensed premises to a wholesaler licensed by the State; (2) transport in any quantities the alcoholic liquors produced at the licensed premises out of state for sale outside of the State; (3) sell at retail at the licensed premises the alcoholic liquors produced at the licensed premises, but only if the labels for the bottles are marked "not for resale"; (4) sell at retail no more than the equivalent of six 750-milliliter bottles of alcoholic liquors to a consumer in one business day; (5) not allow consumption on the licensed premises of alcoholic liquors sold by the bottle at the licensed premises; (6) maintain pricing of the alcoholic liquors sold at the licensed premises at a price approximating retail prices generally charged for identical alcoholic liquors in the county where the on-site premises is located; (7) in addition to the sale of alcoholic liquors as authorized by this section, sell items promoting the brand or brands of alcoholic liquors produced at that location in a room on the licensed premises separate from the locations of the tastings; (8) not sell or store goods, wares, or merchandise in or from the room in which alcoholic liquors are sold or tasted; (9) store mixers used, but not sold, in conjunction with tastings; and (10) not allow minors into the portion of the facility where tastings are occurring, unless accompanied by an adult. A micro-distillery or a manufacturer licensed pursuant to Section 61-6-1155 is not subject to subsections (7) through (10) of this section. Editor's Note 2021 Act No. 60, SECTIONS 1 and 11, provide as follows: "SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds and declares that: "(A) The State has a substantial interest in regulating alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol; the activities of manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers; and the influences that affect the consumption levels of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by the people of the State. "(B) The State has a substantial interest in exercising its police power to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the State by regulating the business of manufacturing, distributing, and retail sales of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol in the manner and to the extent allowed by law to promote and preserve public health and safety through legitimate, nonprotectionist measures, which include regulating and controlling alcoholic beverage transactions in this State and the means and manner in which licensed micro-distilleries and alcoholic liquor manufacturers may sell alcoholic beverages to the state's qualifying consumers. "(C) Selling alcoholic liquors from manufacturers outside the State directly to residents of this State poses a serious threat to the state's efforts to prevent underage drinking, to state revenue collections, and to the public health and safety of the state's residents. "(D) By this act, the General Assembly intends to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of residents of this State with laws intended to strictly regulate alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by preserving and promoting a robust, stable system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public that does not provide for economic protectionism. Excessive use of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol has wide-ranging deleterious health effects, including death. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control, during the period from 2011 to 2015, an average of one thousand six hundred seventy-nine of this state's residents suffered alcohol attributed deaths due to excessive alcohol use and the rate of binge drinking in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this State had two hundred eighty-five alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2019, which accounted for twenty-eight percent of the total traffic fatalities in the State. Attributed deaths due to alcohol-impaired driving in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. "(E) This act has been enacted pursuant to the authority granted to the State by the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the powers reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the inherent powers of the State under the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, and the statutes promulgated thereunder. It is the intent of the General Assembly that this act do all of the following: "(1) further regulate and control transactions in this State as to beverages containing alcohol under the control and supervision of the Department of Revenue; "(2) strictly regulate alcoholic beverage transactions by fostering moderation and responsibility in the use and consumption of beverages containing alcohol; "(3) promote and assure the public's interest in fair and efficient distribution and quality control of alcoholic beverages in this State; "(4) promote orderly marketing of alcoholic beverages; "(5) prevent unfair business practices, discrimination, and undue control of one segment of the alcoholic beverage industry by any other segment; "(6) foster vigorous and healthy competition in the alcoholic beverage industry and protect the interests of consumers against fraud and misleading practices in the sale of alcoholic beverages, and avoid problems associated with indiscriminate price cutting and excessive advertising of alcoholic beverages; "(7) provide for an orderly system of public revenues by facilitating the collection and accountability of this State and local excise taxes; "(8) facilitate the collection of state and local revenue; "(9) maintain trade stability and provide for the continuation of control and orderly processing by the State over the regulation of alcoholic beverage manufacturing locations and the process of selling alcoholic beverages to the state's consumers; "(10) ensure that the Department of Revenue and State Law Enforcement Division are able to monitor licensed operations through on-site inspections to confirm compliance with state law and that any alcoholic beverages shipped into, distributed, and sold throughout this State: "(a) have been registered for sale in this State with the Department of Revenue, as prescribed by law; "(b) are not subject to a government-mandated or supplier-initiated recall; "(c) are not counterfeit; "(d) are labeled in conformance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; "(e) can be inspected and tested by the Department of Revenue or the State Law Enforcement Division; and "(f) are not prohibited by this State; "(11) promote and maintain a sound, stable, and viable three-tier system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public; and "(12) ensure that statutes and regulations relating to alcoholic beverages exist to serve the interests of the State of South Carolina and its citizens rather than to serve or protect the interests of market participants by adopting protectionist measures with no demonstrable connection to the state's legitimate interests in regulating alcoholic beverages." "SECTION 11. A state agency with regulations specifying alcohol content percentages different from the percentages passed in this act must promulgate revised regulations to conform to the changes in this act. Until such time as the regulations are conformed, the percentages in the statutory provisions passed in this act supersede any differing percentages in the regulations." Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 62, SECTION 2, in (3), deleted "only in quantities of 750 milliliter bottles" following "sell at retail at the licensed premises"; in (4), inserted "the equivalent of"; added (9), relating to mixers; added (10), relating to not allowing minors where tastings occur; and made nonsubstantive changes. 2021 Act No. 60, SECTION 10, in (4), substituted "equivalent of six" for "equivalent of three", in (10), inserted ", unless accompanied by an adult", and added the last undesignated paragraph.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-1515 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 15 / Section 61-4-1515
SECTION 61-4-1515. Breweries; sales of beer for on- and off-premises consumption; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) A brewery permitted in this State is authorized to sell beer to consumers on its permitted premises with an alcoholic content of twelve percent by weight, or less, subject to the following conditions: (1) beer sold for on-premises consumption must be produced by the brewery on its permitted premises or transferred to the brewery, subject to the following conditions: (a) the transferring and receiving breweries operate under one hundred percent identical ownership, and (b) the annual volume of beer received by a brewery does not exceed the annual volume of beer produced by such brewery on its permitted premises; (2) sales to consumers must be held in conjunction with a tour by the consumer of the permitted premises and the entire brewing process utilized at the permitted premises; (3) sales shall not be offered or made to, or allowed to be offered, made to, or consumed by an intoxicated person or a person who is under the age of twenty-one; (4)(a) no more than a total of forty-eight ounces of beer brewed at or transferred to the permitted premises shall be sold to a consumer for on-premises consumption within a twenty-four hour period; and (b) of that forty-eight ounces of beer available to be sold to a consumer within a twenty-four hour period, no more than sixteen ounces of beer with an alcoholic weight of above eight percent, including any samples offered and consumed with or without cost, shall be sold to a consumer for on-premises consumption within a twenty-four hour period; (5) a brewery must report in a manner required by the department the amounts, types, and brewing locations of beer sampled or sold to a consumer for on-premises consumption; (6) a brewery must sell the beer at the permitted premises at a price approximating retail prices generally charged for identical beverages in the county where the permitted premises are located; (7) a brewery must remit appropriate taxes to the Department of Revenue for beer sales in an amount equal to and in a manner required for excise taxes assessed by the department. A brewery also must remit appropriate sales and use taxes and local hospitality taxes; (8) a brewery must post information that states the alcoholic content by weight of the various types of beer available in the brewery and the penalties for convictions for: (a) driving under the influence; (b) unlawful transport of an alcoholic container; and (c) unlawful transfer of alcohol to minors. And, the information shall be in signage that must be posted at each entrance, each exit, and in places in a brewery seen during a tour; (9) a brewery must provide department or DAODAS approved alcohol enforcement training for the employees who serve beer on the permitted premises to consumers for on-premises consumption, so as to prevent and prohibit unlawful sales, transfer, transport, or consumption of beer by persons who are under the age of twenty-one or who are intoxicated; and (10) a brewery must maintain a liquor liability insurance policy or a general liability insurance policy with a liquor liability endorsement in the amount of at least one million dollars for the biennial period for which it is permitted. Within ten days of receiving its biennial permit, a brewery must send proof of this insurance to the State Law Enforcement Division and to the Department of Revenue, where the proof of insurance information shall be retained with the department's alcohol beverage licensing section. (B)(1) In addition to the sales provisions set forth in subsection (A) and subject to this subsection (B), a brewery permitted in this State is authorized to sell beer to consumers on-site for on-premises consumption within an area of its permitted and licensed premises approved by the rules and regulations of the Department of Health and Environmental Control governing eating and drinking establishments and other food service establishments. These establishments also may apply for a retail on-premises consumption permit for the sale of beer and wine that has been purchased from a wholesaler through the three-tier distribution chain set forth in Section 61-4-735 and Section 61-4-940. (2) In addition to a retail on-premises consumption permit for the sale of beer and wine as authorized in this subsection, a brewery that has a Department of Health and Environmental Control approved and licensed food establishment on its premises as provided in subsection (B)(1) may apply for a license to sell alcoholic liquor by the drink for on-premises consumption within a specified area of its licensed or permitted premises physically partitioned from the brewing operation and designated for the purpose of engaging substantially and primarily in the preparation and serving of meals. The brewery must: (a) maintain compliance with all provisions of Section 61-6-1610 and all other provisions of Chapter 6 regulating the purchase and sale by food establishments of alcoholic liquor by the drink for on-premises consumption not inconsistent with other provisions of this section; (b) not sell or allow the consumption of alcoholic liquor by the drink on that part of the brewery's premises designated and permitted for the brewing operation; (c) maintain the books, records, and bank accounts of the restaurant operation separately from the books, records, and bank accounts of the brewing operation, and allocate expenses common to both operations in a manner the brewery considers reasonable, when applicable; and (d) maintain a physical partition between the brewing and food establishment operations. The physical partition may be a permanent wall or a divider permanently affixed to the premises in a manner that the general public may not freely enter the brewing operation, and may contain a door or doors which remain locked during hours when the brewery is not in operation. (C) The department shall terminate and a brewery shall surrender each permit and license issued to the brewery pursuant to subsection (B) immediately following inspection, determination, and report by the division to the department that brewing operations have ceased on the brewery's permitted premises. This includes the food establishment permits and licenses. Following reinstitution of brewing operations on the formerly permitted premises, a brewery may re-apply for the applicable permits and licenses authorized by subsection (B). (D) The sale of beer for on-premises consumption pursuant to subsection (B) must comply with the following provisions: (1) all provisions of subsection (A) shall apply to sales under subsection (B) and this subsection, except subsection (A)(2), (4), and (5); (2) the brewery must comply with all state and local laws concerning hours of operation applicable to eating and drinking establishments and other food service establishments holding permits to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption; (3) the brewery must comply with the discount pricing provisions of Section 61-4-160, applicable to persons holding permits to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption; (4) the brewery must sell the beer at a price approximating retail prices generally charged for identical beverages by on-premises retailers in the county where the licensed premises are located; and (5) a wholesaler must not provide and a brewery must not accept services, equipment, fixtures, or free beer prohibited by Section 61-4-940(B), except those items authorized by Section 61-4-940(C). Changes to the brewery laws pursuant to subsection (B) and this subsection do not alter or amend the structure of the three-tier laws of this State, and the wholesalers and the breweries must not discriminate in pricing at the producer or wholesaler levels. (E) A brewery located in this State is authorized to sell beer to consumers on its permitted premises for off-premises consumption, provided that the sealed beer was brewed on the brewery's permitted premises or received pursuant to subsection (A) with an alcohol content of fourteen percent by weight or less, subject to the following conditions: (1) the maximum amount of beer that may be sold to an individual per day for off-premises consumption shall be equivalent to eight hundred sixty-four ounces in total; (2) the beer only shall be sold in conjunction with a tour by the consumer of the permitted premises and the entire brewing process utilized at the permitted premises; (3) the beer sold is for personal use only and must not be resold; (4) the beer must not be sold to anyone holding a retail beer and wine license for the purpose of resale in their establishment; (5) the brewery must sell the beer at the permitted premises at a price approximating retail prices generally charged for identical beverages in the county where the permitted premises are located; (6) the brewery must remit taxes to the Department of Revenue for beer sales in an amount equal to and in a manner required for taxes assessed by Section 12-21-1020 and Section 12-21-1030. The brewery also must remit appropriate sales and use taxes and local hospitality taxes; and (7) beer sold in kegs must comply with the requirements of Article 19, entitled "Keg Registration". (F) A brewery must report monthly in a manner required by the department the amounts and brands of beer present on its licensed premises at the month's beginning, brewed on its licensed premises, transferred to and received from a separate licensed brewery under identical ownership, sold to wholesalers for resale, sold to consumers for off-premises consumption, sold to consumers for on-premises consumption, lost to spillage and spoilage, removed for owner consumption, and present on its licensed premises at the month's end. (G) A brewpub permitted pursuant to Article 17, which is a retailer for purposes of Sections 61-4-735(D) and 61-4-940(D), may make application to the department for a brewery permit and the permits and licenses authorized pursuant to subsection (B) for the brewpub's existing permitted premises. For these applications, the department shall waive newspaper notice and sign posting requirements, except the requirements shall not be waived for an alcoholic liquor by the drink application if the brewpub does not possess this license at the time of application. Excluding operations authorized pursuant to subsection (B), the department must not approve an application if the applicant or any principal or person acting directly or indirectly on behalf of the applicant would have ownership or financial interest in a wholesale or retail beer, wine, or alcoholic liquor operation following the issuance of the brewery permit. Contemporaneous with obtaining the brewery and applicable permits or licenses authorized pursuant to subsection (B), the applicant shall surrender the brewpub permit and the alcoholic liquor by the drink license previously issued for the premises. (H) In addition to other applicable fines or penalties, a person permitted as a brewery in this State who violates the provisions of this section must be assessed a fine of five hundred dollars for a first violation. For a second violation that occurs within three years of the first violation, a person must be assessed an additional five hundred dollars. For subsequent violations within a three-year period, the department must suspend the brewery permit for a period of not less than thirty days. The revenue from the fines established in this section must be directed to the State Law Enforcement Division for supplementing funds required for the regulation and enforcement of this section. Editor's Note 2020 Act No. 167, SECTION 2.B., amended by 2021 Act No. 81, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "[SECTION 2.]B. This SECTION is effective upon approval by the Governor and expires on May 31, 2022." 2023 Act No. 31, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Craft Beer Economic Development Act'." Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment, rewrote subsections (A) and (C), and in subsection (B), inserted "off-premises consumption", substituted "sealed beer was brewed" for "beer was brewed", and substituted "following conditions" for "following restrictions". 2014 Act No. 223, SECTION 5.A, added subsections (B) and (C), redesignated the former subsections accordingly, and made other nonsubstantive changes. 2017 Act No. 50, SECTION 1, substituted "permitted" for "licensed" and "permit" for "license" throughout the section; in (A)(8), inserted "department or"; in (A)(9), in the first sentence, inserted "a liquor" and "policy or a general liability insurance policy with a liquor liability endorsement"; redesignated (B) as (B)(1), and, in the first sentence, inserted "permitted and" before "licensed premises approved by the rules", and in the second sentence, inserted "not produced on the licensed premises", and substituted "Sections 61-4-735 and 61-4-940" for "Section 61-4-735 and Section 61-4-940"; added (B)(2), relating to licenses to sell alcoholic liquor by the drink for on-premises consumption; inserted (C), relating to the termination of permits and licenses; inserted (F), relating to brewpub applications for brewery permits; redesignated accordingly; and made nonsubstantive changes. 2017 Act No. 62, SECTIONS 6 and 7, in (A), deleted references to "samples" and "samplings" and substituted "permitted" for "licensed" and "permit" for "license"; in (A)(8), inserted "department or"; in (A)(9), in the first sentence, inserted "a liquor" and "policy or a general liability insurance policy with a liquor liability endorsement"; and redesignated (B) as (B)(1), deleted "sampling and" before "sales provisions", in the first sentence, inserted "permitted and" before "licensed premises approved by the rules", and in the second sentence, inserted "not produced on the licensed premises". 2020 Act No. 167, SECTION 2.A., in (E), in (1), substituted "five hundred seventy-six ounces" for "two hundred eighty-eight ounces". 2023 Act No. 31, SECTION 2, in (A), deleted ", provided that the beer is brewed on the permitted premises" following "its permitted premises", inserted (1) and redesignated former (1) to (9) as (2) to (10), accordingly, in (4)(a), inserted "or transferred to", and rewrote (5); in (B), in (1), in the first sentence, inserted "and subject to this subsection (B)" and substituted "to consumers on-site" for "produced on its permitted premises to consumers on site", and in the second sentence, deleted "not produced on the licensed premises" following "sale of beer and wine"; in (D), deleted "that is brewed on the licensed premises" following "The sale of beer", and in (1), substituted "(A)(2), (4), and (5)" for "(A)(1, (3), and (4)"; in (E), inserted "to consumers" and "or received pursuant to subsection (A)", in (1), substituted "eight hundred sixty-four ounces" for "two hundred eighty-eight ounces", made nonsubstantive changes in (5) and (6), and inserted (7); and inserted (F) and redesignated former (F) and (G) as (G) and (H), respectively.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1160 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-1160
SECTION 61-6-1160. Violation of provisions of subarticle; penalties.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this title: (A) a person who transports, possesses, or consumes alcoholic liquors and who violates a provision of this subarticle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days; and (B) a person licensed pursuant to this subarticle who violates a provision of this subarticle must: (1) for a first offense, be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or have his license suspended for not more than thirty days, or both; (2) for a second offense within three years of the first offense, be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or have his license suspended for not more than one hundred eighty days, or both; or (3) for a third offense within three years of the first offense, be fined not less than five hundred dollars and have his license revoked permanently; and (C) a person licensed pursuant to this subarticle who acts to avoid payment of the excise tax imposed on the serving of alcoholic liquors by the drink provided for in Chapter 33, Title 12 must be fined not less than one thousand dollars and have his license revoked permanently.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4250 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4250
SECTION 61-6-4250. Certificates of convictions, pleas, or bond forfeiture.
Status: in_force

The clerk of court of each county in the State must, at the conclusion of each term of the court of general sessions in the county, forward to the department a certificate on forms prescribed and furnished by the department showing the name of each person who is convicted, pleads guilty, enters a plea of nolo contendere, or forfeits bond for the violation of any provision of this article except Section 61-6-4720. The department must maintain a file of these violations. A copy of the department's records pertaining to the convictions, certified as correct by the director or his designee, is admissible in all courts as prima facie evidence of the facts recited in the records. The department must, upon receipt of a record of conviction, plea of guilty, plea of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bond for the violation of the provisions of this article prohibiting the transportation of alcoholic liquors, forward to the Department of Public Safety a certified copy of the record.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-2940 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 7 / Section 61-6-2940
SECTION 61-6-2940. Issuance of certificates or licenses.
Status: in_force

The department, in its discretion, upon due consideration of the information contained in applications for certificates and licenses provided for in this article, must issue or reject the certificate or license applied for.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-2010 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 61-6-2010
SECTION 61-6-2010. Temporary permits upon referendum vote.
Status: in_force

(A) In addition to the provisions of Section 61-6-2000, the department may issue a temporary permit to allow the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors by the drink. This permit is valid for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours and may be issued only to bona fide nonprofit organizations and business establishments otherwise authorized to be licensed for sales. The department shall charge a nonrefundable filing fee of one hundred dollars for processing each application and a daily permit fee of fifty dollars for each day for which a permit is approved. An application must be filed for each permit requested. The department must also offer the option of an annual fifty-two week temporary permit for a nonrefundable fee of three thousand dollars per year. However, the optional fifty-two week permit must not extend beyond the expiration date of the biennial license issued pursuant to this chapter. If the expiration date is less than fifty-two weeks from the date of the application for the optional fifty-two week permit, the department must prorate the three thousand dollar fee on a monthly basis. The department in its sole discretion shall specify the terms and conditions of the permit. (B)(1) The filing and permit fees must be distributed by the State Treasurer to the municipality or county in which the retailer who paid the fee is located. The revenue may be used only by the municipality or county for the following purposes: (a) capital improvements to tourism-related buildings including, but not limited to, civic centers, convention centers, coliseums, aquariums, stadiums, marinas, parks, and recreational facilities; (b) purchase or renovation of buildings which are historic properties as defined in Section 60-12-10(4) and (5); (c) festivals that have a demonstrable and significant impact on tourism; (d) local youth mentor programs to serve juvenile offenders under the jurisdiction of the family court; (e) contributions to matching funds necessary for a local government or entity to receive funding from the Legacy Trust Fund pursuant to Chapter 22, Title 51; (f) contributions to a redevelopment authority pursuant to Chapter 12, Title 31; (g) acquiring fee and less than fee interest in land while it is still available to be held in perpetuity as wildlife preserves or believed to be needed by the public in the future for active and passive recreation uses and scenic easements, to include the following types of land: ocean, harbor, and pond frontage in the form of beaches, dunes, and adjoining backlands; barrier beaches; fresh and saltwater marshes and adjoining uplands; land for bicycle paths; land protecting existing and future public water supply, well fields, highway buffering and aquifer recharge areas; land for wildlife preserves; and land for future public recreational facilities; (h) nourishment, renourishment (resanding), and maintenance of beaches; (i) dune restoration, including the planting of grass, sea oats, or other vegetation useful in preserving the dune system; (j) maintenance of public beach access; (k) capital improvements to the beaches and beach-related facilities, such as public parking areas for beach access; dune walkovers and restroom facilities, with or without changing rooms, at public beach parks; and (l) construction and maintenance of drainage systems. (2) The revenue may not be used for operating expenses of tourism-related buildings. (C)(1) A permit authorized by this section may be issued only in those counties or municipalities where a majority of the qualified electors voting in a referendum vote in favor of the issuance of the permit. The county or municipal election commission, as the case may be, shall conduct a referendum upon petition of at least ten percent but not more than seven thousand five hundred qualified electors of the county or municipality, as the case may be. The petition form must be submitted to the election commission not less than one hundred twenty days before the date of the referendum. The names on the petition must be on the petition form provided to county election officials by the State Election Commission. The names on the petition must be certified by the election commission within sixty days after receiving the petition form. The referendum must be conducted at the next general election. The election commission shall cause a notice to be published in a newspaper circulated in the county or municipality, as the case may be, at least seven days before the referendum. The state election laws shall apply to the referendum, mutatis mutandis. The election commission shall publish the results of the referendum and certify them to the South Carolina Department of Revenue. On or after June 21, 1993, the question on the ballot shall be one or both of the following: (a) "Shall the South Carolina Department of Revenue be authorized to issue temporary permits in this (county) (municipality) for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours to allow the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors by the drink to bona fide nonprofit organizations and business establishments otherwise authorized to be licensed for consumption-on-premises sales?" or (b) "Shall the Department of Revenue be authorized to issue temporary permits in this (county) (municipality) for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours to allow the sale of beer and wine at permitted off-premises locations without regard to the days or hours of sales?". (2) On or after June 21, 1993, a question authorized by this subsection may not appear on the ballot for a county or municipality less than forty-eight months following the failure of a question authorized by this subsection in said county or municipality. (3) The expenses for a referendum for this purpose must be paid by the county or municipality conducting the referendum. (4) In addition to the petition method of calling the referendum provided for in item (1) of this subsection, a county or municipal governing body by ordinance may also call the referendum. Upon receipt of a copy of the ordinance filed with the county or municipal election commission at least sixty days before the date of the next general election, the commission shall conduct the referendum in the manner provided in this section at that general election. The provisions of this item are in addition to the authority of a municipal governing body to call for a referendum under the circumstances enumerated in subsection (D). (D)(1) The municipal governing body may order a referendum on the question of the issuance of temporary permits to allow the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors by the drink in the following circumstances: (a) parts of the municipality are located in more than one county; (b) as a result of a favorable vote in a county referendum held pursuant to this section, permits may be issued in only the parts of the municipality located in that county; and (c) the proposed referendum would authorize issuance of permits in the remaining parts of the municipality. (2) The method of ordering a referendum provided in this subsection is in addition to the petition method provided in subsection (C). An unfavorable vote in a municipal referendum does not affect the authority to issue these permits in the part of the municipality located in a county where these permits may be issued. (3) Upon receipt of a copy of the ordinance filed with the municipal election commission at least sixty days before the date of the general election, the commission must conduct the referendum at the time of the general election and publish and certify its results in the same manner as provided in subsection (C). Subsection (C)(2) does not apply to this referendum. (E) Temporary permits for the sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption authorized to be issued in a county or municipality pursuant to the referendum provided for at that time may continue to be issued or reissued without the requirement of a further referendum. (F) Temporary permits issued by the Department of Revenue pursuant to this section may be issued in all parts of a municipality if any part of the municipality is located in a county where the issuance of these permits is allowed. (G) A business establishment located within a building on the grounds of an international airport in this State where the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors by the drink is permitted on its licensed premises may apply for and receive a temporary permit authorized by this section, notwithstanding any other requirements of this section to the contrary, to allow the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors by the drink for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours on its licensed premises if any county within the territory of the airport district which operates the international airport or any municipality located within the territory of the district has approved, by referendum, the issuance of these temporary permits. (H)(1) For purposes of referendums held pursuant to this section, "general election" means a municipal general election held at a time other than the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years or a county general election held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. (2) A municipality that does not have a municipal general election scheduled within the same calendar year as a county general election may call, by ordinance, for a referendum to be held on the same date as the county general election, provided that a copy of the ordinance has been filed with the county and municipal election commissions no later than the date required by Section 7-13-355. The expenses for a referendum ordered by a municipality shall be paid by the municipality. When a municipal referendum is held at the time of a county general election, the referendum may be conducted by a municipal or county election commission as provided for by an agreement between the municipality and the county. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment added subsection (F) relating to temporary permits. The 2011 amendment added subsection (G). The 2012 amendment added subsection (H). 2018 Act No. 193, SECTION 1, rewrote (C), deleting a prior reference to a date and providing a subsequent referendum may not be held less than forty-eight months following the failure of a question. SECTION 61-6-2015. Temporary permit to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption; terms; qualifications (A) A temporary permit to sell beer and wine for on- premises consumption for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours without regard to the days or hours of these sales is hereby authorized. This permit may be issued by the department for the same fees provided in Section 61-4-500 for a retail beer and wine permit, including an application fee. This permit shall be considered a biennial temporary permit, and may be issued to those holders of a permit to sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption during periods other than Sunday who have within the licensed premises a separate food service establishment serving prepared food for on- premises consumption. The permit to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption during the twenty-four hour period shall apply only to this separate food-service establishment. (B) The department may require such proof of qualifications for the issuance of these permits as it considers necessary, and these permits may be issued only to qualified applicants located in a county or municipality which pursuant to Section 61-6-2010 has successfully held a referendum allowing the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors by the drink for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-700 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-700
SECTION 61-6-700. Food service establishments.
Status: in_force

An establishment which offers meals to the public must be licensed by the department to purchase and possess liqueurs, wines, and similar alcoholic beverages used only in the cooking and preparing of foods served by the establishment. Application for the license must be in a form and under conditions prescribed by the department. The license fee is fifty dollars. A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined five hundred dollars, and other licenses he holds from the department pursuant to the provisions of this title must be revoked. The license provided in this section does not alter or limit the privileges or responsibilities for holders of licenses issued to authorize the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors by the drink pursuant to the provisions of Article 5 of this chapter. An establishment so licensed may use alcoholic liquors in the preparation of food without obtaining the license provided for in this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-735 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 7 / Section 61-4-735
SECTION 61-4-735. Regulation of practices between wine manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as provided in Sections 61-4-720 and 61-4-730, a manufacturer of wine, vintner, winery, an entity, or a person who sells these products, or a person or entity who imports these products produced outside the United States must not sell, barter, exchange, transfer, or deliver for resale wine to a person not having a wholesale permit issued under Section 61-4-500, and a holder of a wholesale permit may not sell, barter, exchange, transfer, or deliver for resale wine to a person not having a retail or wholesale permit, unless that person is the American producer or the primary American source of supply of that wine as defined in Section 61-4-340. (B) Except as provided in subsection (C), a manufacturer of wine, vintner, winery, importer, or wholesaler of wine, or a person acting on his behalf must not furnish, give, rent, lend, or sell, directly or indirectly, to the holder of a retail permit any equipment, fixtures, free wine, or service. The holder of a retail permit or a person acting on his behalf may not accept, directly or indirectly, any equipment, fixtures, free wine, or service referred to in this subsection from a manufacturer of wine, winery, importer, or wholesaler of wine, except as provided in subsection (C). (C) A wholesaler may furnish at no charge to the holder of a retail permit draft wine equipment replacement parts of nominal value, including washers, gaskets, hoses, hose connectors, clamps, and tap markers, product displays as provided under 27 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 6.83, and point of sale advertising specialties. A wholesaler also may furnish the following services to a retailer: cleaning wine lines, rotating stock, affixing price tags to wine products, building wine displays, setting boxes, conduct not more than two wine tastings in accordance with department rulings or regulations, developing shelf schematics, stocking shelves, providing wine party wagon for temporary use, and assist in wine resets a maximum of three times a year for any store having a retail permit during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Resets are defined as being a change in the location of the wine department within a store or a rearrangement of the products on shelves within the store's wine department, which involves more than one wholesaler's products. All wholesalers must be notified in writing of any resets being requested by a retail store at least fourteen days prior to the reset. (D) A producer, winery, vintner, and importer of wine are declared to be in business on one tier, a wholesaler on another tier, and a retailer on another tier. For the purpose of this section, a manufacturer or producer of wine is declared to be a tier one business, a wholesaler or an importer owned solely by a wholesaler is declared to be a tier two business, and a retailer is declared to be a tier three business. Except as provided in Sections 61-4-720 and 61-4-730, a person or entity in the wine business on one tier or a person acting directly or indirectly on his behalf may not have ownership or financial interest in a wine business operation on another tier. This limitation does not apply to the interest held on July 1, 1993, by the holder of a wholesale permit in a business operated by the holder of a retail permit at premises other than where the wholesale business is operated. For purposes of this subsection, ownership or financial interest does not include the ownership of less than one percent of the stock in a corporation with a class of voting shares registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other federal agency under Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or a consulting agreement under which the consultant has no control over business decisions and whose compensation is unrelated to the profits of the business. Notwithstanding this prohibition or the prohibition contained in Section 61-4-940(D), a manufacturer or importer of beer or wine may own in whole or in part a business that holds an on-premises retail beer and wine permit provided that: (1) All beverages to be handled or sold by the retail dealer must be purchased from licensed wholesalers and purchased on the same terms and conditions as do other retail dealers. (2) Sales of any product produced or distributed by the manufacturer or importer must not exceed ten percent of the annual gross sales of beer or wine by the retail permit holder. (E) A manufacturer, producer, importer, or wholesaler of wine may discount product price based on quantity purchases if all discounts are on price only, appear on the sales records, and are available to all retail customers. (F) Nothing in this section affects or prohibits the ownership or the operation of a licensed winery in this State that produces, provides taste samples, sells, delivers, or ships domestic wine as authorized and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 61-4-720 and 61-4-730.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-10-50 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 10 / Article 1 / Section 61-10-50
SECTION 61-10-50. Form of prescriptions.
Status: in_force

A prescription issued pursuant to this article must be substantially in the following form: "State of South Carolina - County. To - druggist. I, -, a regular licensed and practicing physician under the laws of this State, do hereby certify that I have examined -, a patient in my charge, and I do hereby prescribe for the use of the patient - alcohol. I further certify that the use of this alcohol is, in my judgment, absolutely necessary to alleviate or cure the illness or disease from which the patient is now suffering and that I am not interested in the drugstore to which this prescription is directed nor in the profits on the drugs herein prescribed. Dated --. --- M. D."
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4420 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4420
SECTION 61-6-4420. Proof of claim.
Status: in_force

In a proceeding brought to recover possession of a chattel seized under this article or to recover the value of an interest therein, no claim shall be allowed unless the claimant proves: (a) that he has an interest in the chattel, as owner or otherwise, which he acquired in good faith; (b) that he had at no time knowledge or reason to believe that the chattel was being or would be used in violation of the laws of this State relating to liquor; and (c) if it appears that the interest asserted by the claimant was acquired after March 28, 1956, and arises out of or is subject to any contract or agreement under which a person having a record or reputation for violating state or federal laws relating to liquor, has a right with respect to the chattel, that, before the claimant acquired his interest, or other person acquired his right under the contract or agreement, whichever occurred later, the claimant, his officer, or agent was informed, in answer to his inquiry, at the headquarters of the sheriff and police chief of the locality in which the other person acquired his right under the contract or agreement and of the locality in which the other person then resided, that the other person had no such record or reputation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-1930 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 19 / Section 61-4-1930
SECTION 61-4-1930. Possession of untagged keg; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) A person may not knowingly possess a keg that does not have the proper tag with all information accurately recorded, unless the person can demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that the keg was not correctly tagged by the seller pursuant to the requirements of Section 61-4-1920. (B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both. (C) The provisions of this section do not apply to any manufacturer, shipper, wholesaler, or licensee.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-2200 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 61-6-2200
SECTION 61-6-2200. Age of server.
Status: in_force

A person may not serve or deliver to a purchaser alcoholic liquors by the drink in a business where these sales are authorized unless the person is eighteen years of age or older; nothing contained in this section may be construed as allowing bartenders under the age of twenty-one.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-1120 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 11 / Section 61-4-1120
SECTION 61-4-1120. Jurisdiction of court to enjoin cancellation or termination.
Status: in_force

The court of common pleas has jurisdiction and power to enjoin the cancellation or termination of a franchise or agreement between a beer wholesaler and a registered producer upon the application of a beer wholesaler or producer who is or might be adversely affected by the cancellation or termination; and in granting an injunction, the court must make provisions necessary to protect the beer wholesaler or registered producer while the injunction is in effect including, but not limited to, a provision that the registered producer must not supply the customers of the beer wholesaler by servicing the customers through other distributors or means or a provision that the beer wholesaler must continue to supply to his customers the products of the registered producer. Application may be made by the beer wholesaler or producer to the appropriate court in the county in which the business of the wholesaler is located. The court may require a bond to be posted by the party seeking the injunction, securing the party enjoined for damages in an amount in the court's discretion.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-525 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 5 / Section 61-4-525
SECTION 61-4-525. Protests against issuance or renewal of permit; attendance at hearing; court costs; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) A person residing in the county in which a retail beer and wine permit is requested to be granted, or a person residing within five miles of the location for which a retail beer and wine permit is requested, may protest the issuance or renewal of the permit if he files a written protest setting forth: (1) the name, address, and telephone number of the person filing the protest; (2) the name of the applicant for the permit and the address of the premises sought to be licensed, or the name and address of the permit holder if the application is for renewal; (3) the specific reasons why the application should be denied; and (4) whether or not he wishes to attend a contested case hearing before the Administrative Law Court. (B) Upon receipt of a timely filed protest, the department shall determine the protestant's intent to attend a contested hearing before the Administrative Law Court. If the protestant intends to attend a contested hearing, the department may not issue the permanent permit but shall forward the file to the Administrative Law Court. (C) If the protestant, during the investigation expresses no desire to attend a contested hearing and offer testimony, the protest is considered invalid, and the department shall continue to process the application and shall issue the permit if all other statutory requirements are met. (D) A person who files a protest and fails to appear at a hearing after affirming a desire to attend the hearing may be assessed a fine or penalty to include court costs.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-230 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 2 / Section 61-2-230
SECTION 61-2-230. Suspension of constable or magistrate.
Status: in_force

A constable, deputy constable, or magistrate who neglects or refuses to perform the duties required by this title may be suspended by the Governor.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-1510 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 15 / Section 61-4-1510
SECTION 61-4-1510. Permit applications.
Status: in_force

Before a person constructs, maintains, or operates a brewery or winery as provided by the provisions of this article, the person must apply to the department for a permit. The application must be in writing in a form the department prescribes. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the applicant must pay a biennial permit tax of two hundred dollars upon each brewery and on each commercial winery to be established and operated. The permit tax must be paid to and collected by the department before a permit is issued. Permits as provided by the provisions of this section expire as mandated by Section 61-2-120. No refund may be made to a dealer who ceases business after obtaining a permit.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4100 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4100
SECTION 61-6-4100. Distilleries.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for a person in this State to manufacture, sell, give, or have in his possession a distillery, commonly called a still, or any integral part of a distillery, or an apparatus, appliance, device, or substitute therefor to be used for the purpose of manufacturing alcoholic liquors, in violation of the laws of this State. The unexplained possession of any part of a still, apparatus or appliance, or any device or substitute therefor, commonly or generally used for or that is suitable to be used in the manufacture of prohibited alcoholic liquors is prima facie evidence of the violation of this section. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows: (a) for a first offense, by a fine of not less than six hundred dollars or imprisonment for six months; (b) for a second offense, by a fine of one thousand five hundred dollars or imprisonment for one year; and (c) for a third or subsequent offense, by a fine of three thousand dollars or imprisonment for two years.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1035 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-1035
SECTION 61-6-1035. Sampling of wines.
Status: reserved

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 61-6-1500, the sampling of wines containing over sixteen and one-half percent by volume of alcohol, cordials, and other distilled spirits sold in a retail alcoholic liquor store is authorized if the sampling is conducted as follows: (1) No sample may be offered from more than four products at one time. (2) The sample is limited to products from no more than one wholesaler at one time. (3) No more than one bottle of each of the four products to be sampled may be opened. (4) The sampling must be held in a designated tasting area of the retail liquor store and all open bottles must be visible at all times. All open bottles must be removed at the conclusion of the tasting. (5) Samples must be less than one-half ounce for each product sampled. (6) No person may be served more than one sample of each product. (7) No sampling may be offered for longer than four hours. (8) At least ten days before the sampling, a letter detailing the specific date and hours of the sampling must be mailed first class to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The letter must include a copy of a certificate of liability insurance for the manufacturer, the retail establishment, or its agent, conducting the tastings. (9) No sample may be offered to, or allowed to be consumed by, an intoxicated person or a person under the age of twenty-one years. This person must not be allowed to loiter on the store premises. (10) The tastings must be conducted by the manufacturer, retailer, or an agent of the manufacturer or retailer, and must not be conducted by a wholesaler, an employee of a wholesaler, or an agent of a wholesaler. (11) No retail alcoholic liquor store may offer more than one sampling per day. (12) All product samples used for tastings must be purchased by the retailer from a South Carolina Licensed Wholesaler as required by Section 61-6-100(3). (13) All associated costs for the tasting must be paid for by the manufacturer, the retailer, or its agent, conducting the tasting. (14) Mixers, which must be nonalcoholic and carry zero percent of alcohol by weight, may be provided in conjunction with the tasting, but the mixers must be provided free of charge. (15) Store mixers used, but not sold, in conjunction with tastings. Editor's Note 2021 Act No. 60, SECTIONS 1 and 11, provide as follows: "SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds and declares that: "(A) The State has a substantial interest in regulating alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol; the activities of manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers; and the influences that affect the consumption levels of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by the people of the State. "(B) The State has a substantial interest in exercising its police power to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the State by regulating the business of manufacturing, distributing, and retail sales of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol in the manner and to the extent allowed by law to promote and preserve public health and safety through legitimate, nonprotectionist measures, which include regulating and controlling alcoholic beverage transactions in this State and the means and manner in which licensed micro-distilleries and alcoholic liquor manufacturers may sell alcoholic beverages to the state's qualifying consumers. "(C) Selling alcoholic liquors from manufacturers outside the State directly to residents of this State poses a serious threat to the state's efforts to prevent underage drinking, to state revenue collections, and to the public health and safety of the state's residents. "(D) By this act, the General Assembly intends to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of residents of this State with laws intended to strictly regulate alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by preserving and promoting a robust, stable system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public that does not provide for economic protectionism. Excessive use of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol has wide-ranging deleterious health effects, including death. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control, during the period from 2011 to 2015, an average of one thousand six hundred seventy-nine of this state's residents suffered alcohol attributed deaths due to excessive alcohol use and the rate of binge drinking in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this State had two hundred eighty-five alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2019, which accounted for twenty-eight percent of the total traffic fatalities in the State. Attributed deaths due to alcohol-impaired driving in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. "(E) This act has been enacted pursuant to the authority granted to the State by the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the powers reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the inherent powers of the State under the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, and the statutes promulgated thereunder. It is the intent of the General Assembly that this act do all of the following: "(1) further regulate and control transactions in this State as to beverages containing alcohol under the control and supervision of the Department of Revenue; "(2) strictly regulate alcoholic beverage transactions by fostering moderation and responsibility in the use and consumption of beverages containing alcohol; "(3) promote and assure the public's interest in fair and efficient distribution and quality control of alcoholic beverages in this State; "(4) promote orderly marketing of alcoholic beverages; "(5) prevent unfair business practices, discrimination, and undue control of one segment of the alcoholic beverage industry by any other segment; "(6) foster vigorous and healthy competition in the alcoholic beverage industry and protect the interests of consumers against fraud and misleading practices in the sale of alcoholic beverages, and avoid problems associated with indiscriminate price cutting and excessive advertising of alcoholic beverages; "(7) provide for an orderly system of public revenues by facilitating the collection and accountability of this State and local excise taxes; "(8) facilitate the collection of state and local revenue; "(9) maintain trade stability and provide for the continuation of control and orderly processing by the State over the regulation of alcoholic beverage manufacturing locations and the process of selling alcoholic beverages to the state's consumers; "(10) ensure that the Department of Revenue and State Law Enforcement Division are able to monitor licensed operations through on-site inspections to confirm compliance with state law and that any alcoholic beverages shipped into, distributed, and sold throughout this State: "(a) have been registered for sale in this State with the Department of Revenue, as prescribed by law; "(b) are not subject to a government-mandated or supplier-initiated recall; "(c) are not counterfeit; "(d) are labeled in conformance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; "(e) can be inspected and tested by the Department of Revenue or the State Law Enforcement Division; and "(f) are not prohibited by this State; "(11) promote and maintain a sound, stable, and viable three-tier system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public; and "(12) ensure that statutes and regulations relating to alcoholic beverages exist to serve the interests of the State of South Carolina and its citizens rather than to serve or protect the interests of market participants by adopting protectionist measures with no demonstrable connection to the state's legitimate interests in regulating alcoholic beverages." "SECTION 11. A state agency with regulations specifying alcohol content percentages different from the percentages passed in this act must promulgate revised regulations to conform to the changes in this act. Until such time as the regulations are conformed, the percentages in the statutory provisions passed in this act supersede any differing percentages in the regulations." Effect of Amendment The 2011 amendment, in paragraph (1), deleted "any" preceding "one time"; inserted a new paragraph (2); redesignated former paragraphs (2) to (10) as paragraphs (3) to (11); in paragraph (8), added the second sentence; in paragraph (10), inserted ", retailer," following "conducted by the manufacturer", inserted "or retailer" following "agent of the manufacturer", substituted "an employee of a wholesaler, or an agent of a wholesaler" for "retailer, or employee of a wholesaler or retailer"; and added paragraphs (12) and (13). 2017 Act No. 62, SECTION 3, added (14) and (15), relating to mixers. 2021 Act No. 60, SECTION 5, in the first undesignated paragraph, substituted "sixteen and one-half percent" for "sixteen percent".
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-195 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-195
SECTION 61-6-195. Retail dealer must certify purchases from wholesaler.
Status: in_force

The department must not issue or renew a retail dealer's license until the applicant has certified that the applicant has not purchased and will not purchase alcoholic liquors from another person who does not hold a wholesaler's license.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-136 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 2 / Section 61-2-136
SECTION 61-2-136. Relocation of licensed beer, wine, or liquor wholesale business.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding another provision of law, a currently licensed beer and wine wholesaler or currently licensed alcoholic liquor wholesaler who wishes to relocate the licensed business to a new location within the State must notify the department. This notice must be in writing, must precisely describe the premises to be licensed, must give the date of the move, and must be filed with the department at least thirty days prior to the move. Upon receipt of this notice, the department shall transfer the permit to the new premises effective on the date of the move.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1140 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-1140
SECTION 61-6-1140. Tastings and retail sales on licensed premises; limitations.
Status: reserved

A holder of a valid micro-distillery or manufacturer license issued by the State may permit tastings and retail sales of the alcoholic liquors produced at the licensed premises subject to the following limitations and any other limitations provided in this subarticle: (1) tastings by and sales to consumers must be held in conjunction with a tour by the consumer of the on-site licensed premises and the micro-distillery or manufacturer may charge an amount in its discretion for the tour. The amount consumers are charged must be on a scale that accords with the amount of alcoholic liquors for on-premises consumption that is dispensed to consumers; (2) the micro-distillery or manufacturer shall establish appropriate protocols to ensure that a consumer sold or served alcoholic liquors pursuant to this section is not under twenty-one years of age and that a consumer shall not attend more than one tasting in a day; (3) the amount charged by micro-distilleries and manufacturers for tours must increase incrementally and accord with the amount of alcoholic liquors provided for on-premises consumption by one-half ounce, beginning with a base tour price corresponding with the provision of one ounce of alcoholic liquor; (4) the micro-distillery or manufacturer may not dispense more than four and one-half ounces to an individual consumer in one day; (5) tastings and sales may occur only between the hours of nine a.m. and seven p.m., Monday through Saturday; (6) the micro-distillery or manufacturer may not charge for alcoholic liquors consumed at a tasting; (7) the micro-distillery or manufacturer may provide mixers, which must be nonalcoholic and carry zero percent of alcohol by weight, in conjunction with the tasting, but the micro-distillery or manufacturer may not charge for the mixers; (8) only brands of alcoholic liquors actually manufactured, distilled, or fermented at and distributed to wholesalers from the licensed premises may be sold or offered for tasting; and (9) a micro-distillery or a manufacturer licensed pursuant to Section 61-6-1155 must comply with the discount pricing provisions of Section 61-6-4550, as applicable, and may not dispense alcoholic liquors for free at a tasting in subsection (6) of this section. Editor's Note 2021 Act No. 60, SECTIONS 1 and 11, provide as follows: "SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds and declares that: "(A) The State has a substantial interest in regulating alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol; the activities of manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers; and the influences that affect the consumption levels of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by the people of the State. "(B) The State has a substantial interest in exercising its police power to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the State by regulating the business of manufacturing, distributing, and retail sales of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol in the manner and to the extent allowed by law to promote and preserve public health and safety through legitimate, nonprotectionist measures, which include regulating and controlling alcoholic beverage transactions in this State and the means and manner in which licensed micro-distilleries and alcoholic liquor manufacturers may sell alcoholic beverages to the state's qualifying consumers. "(C) Selling alcoholic liquors from manufacturers outside the State directly to residents of this State poses a serious threat to the state's efforts to prevent underage drinking, to state revenue collections, and to the public health and safety of the state's residents. "(D) By this act, the General Assembly intends to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of residents of this State with laws intended to strictly regulate alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by preserving and promoting a robust, stable system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public that does not provide for economic protectionism. Excessive use of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol has wide-ranging deleterious health effects, including death. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control, during the period from 2011 to 2015, an average of one thousand six hundred seventy-nine of this state's residents suffered alcohol attributed deaths due to excessive alcohol use and the rate of binge drinking in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this State had two hundred eighty-five alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2019, which accounted for twenty-eight percent of the total traffic fatalities in the State. Attributed deaths due to alcohol-impaired driving in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. "(E) This act has been enacted pursuant to the authority granted to the State by the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the powers reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the inherent powers of the State under the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, and the statutes promulgated thereunder. It is the intent of the General Assembly that this act do all of the following: "(1) further regulate and control transactions in this State as to beverages containing alcohol under the control and supervision of the Department of Revenue; "(2) strictly regulate alcoholic beverage transactions by fostering moderation and responsibility in the use and consumption of beverages containing alcohol; "(3) promote and assure the public's interest in fair and efficient distribution and quality control of alcoholic beverages in this State; "(4) promote orderly marketing of alcoholic beverages; "(5) prevent unfair business practices, discrimination, and undue control of one segment of the alcoholic beverage industry by any other segment; "(6) foster vigorous and healthy competition in the alcoholic beverage industry and protect the interests of consumers against fraud and misleading practices in the sale of alcoholic beverages, and avoid problems associated with indiscriminate price cutting and excessive advertising of alcoholic beverages; "(7) provide for an orderly system of public revenues by facilitating the collection and accountability of this State and local excise taxes; "(8) facilitate the collection of state and local revenue; "(9) maintain trade stability and provide for the continuation of control and orderly processing by the State over the regulation of alcoholic beverage manufacturing locations and the process of selling alcoholic beverages to the state's consumers; "(10) ensure that the Department of Revenue and State Law Enforcement Division are able to monitor licensed operations through on-site inspections to confirm compliance with state law and that any alcoholic beverages shipped into, distributed, and sold throughout this State: "(a) have been registered for sale in this State with the Department of Revenue, as prescribed by law; "(b) are not subject to a government-mandated or supplier-initiated recall; "(c) are not counterfeit; "(d) are labeled in conformance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; "(e) can be inspected and tested by the Department of Revenue or the State Law Enforcement Division; and "(f) are not prohibited by this State; "(11) promote and maintain a sound, stable, and viable three-tier system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public; and "(12) ensure that statutes and regulations relating to alcoholic beverages exist to serve the interests of the State of South Carolina and its citizens rather than to serve or protect the interests of market participants by adopting protectionist measures with no demonstrable connection to the state's legitimate interests in regulating alcoholic beverages." "SECTION 11. A state agency with regulations specifying alcohol content percentages different from the percentages passed in this act must promulgate revised regulations to conform to the changes in this act. Until such time as the regulations are conformed, the percentages in the statutory provisions passed in this act supersede any differing percentages in the regulations." Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 62, SECTION 1, amended the section, revising the ounce amount of alcoholic liquors dispensed at licensed premises and allowing mixers to be used in tastings. 2021 Act No. 60, SECTION 10, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-141 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-141
SECTION 61-6-141. Maximum alcohol retail dealer licenses to one licensee.
Status: in_force

To protect the health, safety, and morals of the residents of this State, the issuance of retail dealer licenses must be governed pursuant to the following requirements to promote adequate law enforcement, regulatory measures, health care costs, and associated impacts on the health, safety, and welfare of the state's residents resulting from the anticipated sales of liquor, and to curb relationships and practices calculated to stimulate sales and impair the state's policy favoring trade stability and the promotion of temperance, in determining whether a political subdivision is adequately served pursuant to Section 61-6-170, and to provide for an orderly provision of retail dealer licenses: (1) The department shall not issue more than three retail dealer licenses to one licensee, and the licensee must be eligible for a license for each store pursuant to Section 61-6-110. (2) The limitation of no more than three retail dealer licenses to one licensee does not apply to a person having an interest in retail liquor stores as of July 1, 1978. (3)(a) A licensee may be issued up to an additional three retail dealer licenses under the conditions provided in this item. Additional retail dealer licenses issued pursuant to this item must be for retail locations in counties with populations in excess of two hundred fifty thousand residents. Licensees issued a retail dealer license pursuant to this subitem may not operate more than two stores in a county with a population in excess of two hundred fifty thousand residents. (b) A licensee who as of March 21, 2018, operates three retail dealer licensed stores within a county with a population in excess of two hundred fifty thousand residents may be issued two additional retail dealer licenses under subitem (a) to operate in that county. Editor's Note 2018 Act No. 147, SECTIONS 1 and 6, provide as follows: "SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds and declares that: "(A) The State has a substantial interest in exercising its powers and the powers granted to the State by the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and in regulating alcoholic liquors, including the activities of manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers; the number and localities of retail dealer licenses; and the influences that affect the consumption levels of alcoholic liquors by the people of the State. "(B) The state's police power to regulate the business of retail liquor sales in the manner and to the extent allowed by law including, but not limited to, Section 1, Article VIII-A of the South Carolina Constitution, 1895, includes regulating the number and localities of retail dealer licenses that a person may be issued and regulating what wholesalers may deliver to persons licensed to sell alcoholic liquors for on-premises consumption, processes that affect the health, safety, and morals of the State. "(C) The public policy of this State and the legislative purpose of this act is to: "(1) strictly regulate alcoholic liquors to protect the health of this State and its residents. Excessive use of alcohol has wide ranging deleterious health effects, including death. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control, during the period from 2006-2010 an average of 1,539 of this state's residents suffered alcohol attributed deaths due to excessive alcohol use and the rate of binge drinking in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation; "(2) strictly regulate alcoholic liquors to protect the safety of this State and its residents. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this State had three hundred thirty-one alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2016, which accounted for thirty-three percent of the total traffic fatalities in the State. Attributed deaths due to alcohol-impaired driving in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation; "(3) strictly regulate alcoholic liquors to protect the morals of this State and its residents by fostering moderation and responsibility in the use and consumption of alcoholic liquors. The General Assembly recognizes the prevalence of scientific data compiled by the Community Prevention Services Task Force establishing a positive association between outlet density, including the number of retail liquor stores, and excessive alcohol consumption and related harms and further concurs with the task force's recommendation to limit outlet density in the effort to address those problems; "(4) protect the collection of state taxes imposed upon alcoholic liquors; "(5) protect the interests of consumers against fraud and misleading practices in the sale of alcoholic liquors and avoid problems associated with indiscriminate price cutting and excessive advertising of alcoholic liquors; "(6) provide a framework for the sale of alcoholic liquors that recognizes and encourages the beneficial aspects of competition and to prevent monopolies; "(7) maintain trade stability and provide for the continuation of control and orderly processing by the State over the number and locations of retail liquor stores; "(8) prevent the concentration of retail liquor stores in close proximity thereby affecting the health and morals of the State; "(9) prohibit discrimination in the sale of alcoholic liquors to retail licensees." "SECTION 6. (A)(1) Until May 31, 2018, the department shall not issue more than three retail dealer licenses to one licensee, and the licensee must be eligible for a license for each store pursuant to Section 61-6-110. "(2) The limitation of no more than three retail dealer licenses to one licensee does not apply to a person having an interest in retail liquor stores as of July 1, 1978. Additional retail dealer licenses may be issued to that person as provided in this section. "(B) Beginning June 1, 2018, no more than four retail dealer licenses may be issued to one licensee, and the licensee must be eligible for each license for each store pursuant to Section 61-6-110. "(C) Beginning June 1, 2020, no more than five retail dealer licenses may be issued to one licensee, and the licensee must be eligible for each license for each store pursuant to Section 61-6-110. "(D) Beginning June 1, 2022, no more than six retail dealer licenses may be issued to one licensee, and the licensee must be eligible for each license for each store pursuant to Section 61-6-110."
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4380 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4380
SECTION 61-6-4380. Proceeds of sale.
Status: in_force

If a chattel has been seized by municipal officers, the proceeds of a sale under Section 61-6-4370, less the necessary expenses of advertising and storage, must be paid to the municipality for its use. Otherwise, the proceeds must be paid to the county treasurer of the county where the chattel was seized.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-12-30 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 12 / Section 61-12-30
SECTION 61-12-30. Citizen participation and consumer input.
Status: in_force

The single county agency, as provided for in Section 61-12-20, must provide for citizen participation and consumer input in the development and implementation of the county alcohol and drug abuse plan through an existing board or advisory committee or, where none exists or where citizen participation is nonexistent, through the establishment of a county advisory committee, which must consult with and advise the single county agency in the development and implementation of the county plan.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-185 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 2 / Section 61-2-185
SECTION 61-2-185. Special nonprofit event licenses; donations of alcohol; requirements; definitions.
Status: in_force

(A) A nonprofit organization may apply for a special nonprofit license. A special nonprofit event is an event for which a nonprofit organization solicits and accepts donations of alcohol to be sold for on-premises consumption. A nonprofit organization applying for a special nonprofit event license must meet the following requirements: (1) The organization must be a nonprofit organization registered and in good standing with the South Carolina Secretary of State as a domestic nonprofit organization. (2) The nonprofit organization must not hold a biennial permit or license issued pursuant to Title 61 for on-premises or off-premises consumption. (3) A special nonprofit event must last no longer than seventy-two consecutive hours. For the purpose of this section, an event may take place at more than one location where the nonprofit organization has control of the premises for the special nonprofit event. For multiple locations to constitute one event, the location must be in the same county. (4) The nonprofit organization must have a reputation for peace and good order in its community, and the principals must be of good character. (5) The nonprofit organization must obtain a special nonprofit event license from the department. A nonprofit organization shall not be licensed to hold more than four special nonprofits in one calendar year. (B)(1) A nonprofit organization seeking a special nonprofit event license application must submit an application, as promulgated by the department, that satisfies the requirements set forth in Section 61-2-90, and that includes notice to local law enforcement, and may require criminal background checks, together with a nonrefundable license fee of forty dollars. (2) The department must deny an application that does not contain the information required on the application and the license fee. (C) For purposes of this section only: (1) "Alcohol" means beer, ale, porter, and other similar malt or fermented beverages, wine not in excess of twenty-one percent alcohol, alcoholic liquors, or any other type of alcoholic beverage that contains any amount of alcohol and is used as a beverage for human consumption. It does not include alcohol that is not registered as a brand in this State and it does not include alcohol that is made at home for home consumption. (2) "Supplier" means a manufacturer, producer, vintner, brewer, micro-brewer, importer, distiller, or micro-distiller of alcohol, authorized to do business in this State. (D) For a special nonprofit event only, a supplier or wholesaler of alcohol may donate alcohol to a nonprofit organization for sale and on-premises consumption at a special nonprofit event, without violation of Section 61-4-735, Section 61-4-940, or Chapter 6, Title 61 subject to the following requirements: (1)(a) All alcohol provided to the nonprofit organization from a supplier or a wholesaler for the special nonprofit event must be transferred through a wholesaler licensed in this State that is authorized by an applicable supplier to sell alcohol to retailers. (b) Up to three calendar days prior to the event, the alcohol may be picked up by the nonprofit organization from the applicable wholesaler's warehouse, upon presentation of the special nonprofit event license, or the alcohol may be delivered to the event premises by the applicable wholesaler, if the nonprofit organization is in control of the event premises at the time of delivery, and upon presentment of the special nonprofit event license. (c) Except as provided in subsection (E)(1), where applicable, the provisions of Article 13, Chapter 4, Title 61 concerning territorial agreements, operate. (2) The wholesaler shall pay the appropriate state excise taxes to the department on the donated alcohol. (3) A wholesaler that chooses to donate alcohol to the special nonprofit event may: (a) provide alcohol previously purchased from the supplier and invoice the appropriate supplier for the cost of the alcohol, together with the excise taxes paid or to be paid by the wholesaler; or (b) receive delivery of the donated alcohol from the supplier and bill the supplier for the excise tax paid or to be paid by the wholesaler. (4) The wholesaler that is providing the alcohol must present an invoice to the nonprofit organization that includes: (a) a listing of the types of alcohol and the alcohol brands that have been donated to the event; (b) the wholesaler's regular price to retailers for the alcohol so donated; and (c) the name and address of the supplier or wholesaler that has donated the alcohol. (5) The wholesaler shall transfer the donated alcohol to the nonprofit organization only after presentation of the original special nonprofit event license, as issued by the department, and the delivery of the wholesaler's invoice to the nonprofit organization. (6) For sales of nondonated alcohol from a wholesaler to the nonprofit organization for use and on-premises consumption at the special nonprofit event, the provisions of Section 61-4-30 and Section 61-6-1300 apply. (7) The nonprofit organization licensed to hold the special nonprofit event is responsible for maintaining any and all invoices for alcohol donated or purchased for the event. The invoices must be available at the event upon request of the division. (E)(1) In addition to the donations of alcohol, a nonprofit organization may solicit from and a supplier may provide, without violation of Section 61-4-735, Section 61-4-940, or Chapter 6, Title 61, the following, with or without charge, for use at a special nonprofit event: (a) individual employees, agents, owners, or members of a supplier to pour and serve alcohol, if each of these individuals has received training from an alcohol education training program recognized by the department and posted on the department's website; (b) point of sale advertising specialties, as defined by federal law and regulations; and (c) equipment used to dispense alcohol for sale for on-premises consumption. (2) A wholesaler of alcohol shall not provide individual employees, owners, or members of a wholesaler to pour or serve alcohol at a special nonprofit event. A wholesaler of alcohol is prohibited from providing any services not authorized by Section 61-4-735, Section 61-4-940, or Section 61-6-1300. (F)(1) For brands of beer that are registered in the State, but have not yet been assigned to a wholesaler for the territory where the special nonprofit event is to be held, a producer or importer may deliver the beer to a willing wholesaler who operates in the territory where the event is to be held, along with the appropriate excise tax and proof that the brand has been registered in the State, and the wholesaler may provide such delivered beer for the event. (2) Brewpubs may donate beer that is brewed at the brewpub to a nonprofit organization holding a special nonprofit event pursuant to the requirements of this section. The brewpub must deliver the donated beer, together with the appropriate state excise tax, to a willing wholesaler that operates in the territory where the special nonprofit event is to be held and the wholesaler shall transfer the donated beer to the nonprofit organization in accordance with the provisions of this section. (3) Donations pursuant to this subsection and delivery by the producer, importer, or brewpub shall not operate as an assignment of territory to the wholesaler and shall not be considered violations of Article 13 or Article 17, Chapter 4, Title 61.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-2980 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 7 / Section 61-6-2980
SECTION 61-6-2980. Proof-of-purchase promotions.
Status: in_force

A producer may redeem by mail proof-of-purchase certificates for nonalcoholic promotional items.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1155 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-1155
SECTION 61-6-1155. Micro-distilleries; on-premises consumption of liquors.
Status: reserved

(A)(1) In addition to alcoholic liquor production or manufacturing and sales authorized by this subarticle, a holder of a valid micro-distillery or manufacturer license issued by the State is authorized to sell the alcoholic liquors distilled at the licensed premises to consumers for on-premises consumption within an area of its licensed premises physically partitioned from the distilling and manufacturing operation and bona fide engaged primarily and substantially in the preparation and serving of meals, as required by Section 61-6-1610. (2) These establishments also may apply for separate beer and wine licenses for on-premises consumption and alcoholic liquor by the drink, and local option permits authorizing the purchase for resale of beer, wine, and alcoholic liquors from wholesalers through the three-tier distribution chain and as required by Section 61-6-1636. (3) The micro-distillery or manufacturer must: (a) not sell or allow the consumption of alcoholic liquor by the drink on that part of the micro-distillery or manufacturer's premises designated and permitted for the distilling and manufacturing operations; (b) maintain the books, records, and bank accounts of the restaurant operation separately from the books, records, and bank accounts of the distilling and manufacturing operations, and allocate expenses common to both operations in a manner the micro-distillery or manufacturer considers reasonable, when applicable; and (c) maintain a physical partition between the distilling and manufacturing operations and the food establishment operations. The physical partition may be a permanent wall or a divider permanently affixed to the premises in a manner that the general public may not freely enter the distilling and manufacturing operations area, and may contain a door or doors which remain locked during hours when the micro-distillery or manufacturer is not in operation. (B) The department shall terminate and a micro-distillery or manufacturer shall surrender each permit and license issued to the micro-distillery or manufacturer pursuant to subsection (A) immediately following inspection, determination, and report by the division to the department that distilling and manufacturing operations have ceased on the micro-distillery or manufacturer's permitted premises. This includes liquor by the drink authorization and licenses. Following reinstitution of distilling and manufacturing operations on the formerly permitted premises, a micro-distillery or manufacturer may reapply for the applicable permits and licenses authorized by subsection (A). (C) A micro-distillery or manufacturer selling beer, wine, or liquor at its licensed premises pursuant to authorization set forth in subsection (A) must: (1) establish appropriate protocols to ensure that a consumer sold or served alcoholic liquors pursuant to this section is not intoxicated and is not under twenty-one years of age; (2) sell the alcoholic liquors distilled on the licensed premises at a price approximating retail prices generally charged for identical beverages in the county where the permitted premises are located; (3) remit appropriate taxes to the department for alcoholic liquor distilled and sold at retail on the licensed premises in an amount equal to and in a manner required for excise taxes assessed by the department. The micro-distillery or manufacturer also must remit appropriate sales, use, and other state and local taxes applicable to retail sale of beer, wine, and liquor; (4) post information that states the alcoholic content by volume of the various types of alcoholic liquors available in the micro-distillery or manufacturer and the penalties for convictions for: (a) driving under the influence; (b) unlawful transport of an alcoholic container; and (c) unlawful transfer of alcohol to minors. And, the information shall be in signage that must be posted at each entrance, each exit, and in places in a micro-distillery or manufacturer seen during a tour; (5) provide department- or DAODAS-approved alcohol enforcement training for the employees who serve alcoholic liquors on the permitted premises to consumers for on-premises consumption, so as to prevent and prohibit unlawful sales, transfer, transport, or consumption of alcoholic liquors by persons who are under the age of twenty-one or who are intoxicated; (6) maintain all liability insurance required pursuant to Section 61-2-145; (7) comply with all state and local laws concerning the hours of operation applicable to eating and drinking establishments and other food service establishments holding permits to sell alcoholic liquors by the drink; and (8) comply with the discount pricing provisions of Sections 61-4-160 and 61-6-4550, as applicable. (D) The establishment licensed pursuant to subsection (A) may sell the bottles of alcoholic liquor produced on its licensed premises as provided in and subject to the restrictions set forth in Sections 61-6-1140 and 61-6-1150. These bottles may not be considered in determining whether the establishment is bona fide engaged primarily and substantially in the preparation and serving of meals, as required by Section 61-6-1610. Editor's Note 2021 Act No. 60, SECTIONS 1 and 11, provide as follows: "SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds and declares that: "(A) The State has a substantial interest in regulating alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol; the activities of manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers; and the influences that affect the consumption levels of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by the people of the State. "(B) The State has a substantial interest in exercising its police power to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the State by regulating the business of manufacturing, distributing, and retail sales of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol in the manner and to the extent allowed by law to promote and preserve public health and safety through legitimate, nonprotectionist measures, which include regulating and controlling alcoholic beverage transactions in this State and the means and manner in which licensed micro-distilleries and alcoholic liquor manufacturers may sell alcoholic beverages to the state's qualifying consumers. "(C) Selling alcoholic liquors from manufacturers outside the State directly to residents of this State poses a serious threat to the state's efforts to prevent underage drinking, to state revenue collections, and to the public health and safety of the state's residents. "(D) By this act, the General Assembly intends to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of residents of this State with laws intended to strictly regulate alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by preserving and promoting a robust, stable system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public that does not provide for economic protectionism. Excessive use of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol has wide-ranging deleterious health effects, including death. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control, during the period from 2011 to 2015, an average of one thousand six hundred seventy-nine of this state's residents suffered alcohol attributed deaths due to excessive alcohol use and the rate of binge drinking in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this State had two hundred eighty-five alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2019, which accounted for twenty-eight percent of the total traffic fatalities in the State. Attributed deaths due to alcohol-impaired driving in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. "(E) This act has been enacted pursuant to the authority granted to the State by the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the powers reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the inherent powers of the State under the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, and the statutes promulgated thereunder. It is the intent of the General Assembly that this act do all of the following: "(1) further regulate and control transactions in this State as to beverages containing alcohol under the control and supervision of the Department of Revenue; "(2) strictly regulate alcoholic beverage transactions by fostering moderation and responsibility in the use and consumption of beverages containing alcohol; "(3) promote and assure the public's interest in fair and efficient distribution and quality control of alcoholic beverages in this State; "(4) promote orderly marketing of alcoholic beverages; "(5) prevent unfair business practices, discrimination, and undue control of one segment of the alcoholic beverage industry by any other segment; "(6) foster vigorous and healthy competition in the alcoholic beverage industry and protect the interests of consumers against fraud and misleading practices in the sale of alcoholic beverages, and avoid problems associated with indiscriminate price cutting and excessive advertising of alcoholic beverages; "(7) provide for an orderly system of public revenues by facilitating the collection and accountability of this State and local excise taxes; "(8) facilitate the collection of state and local revenue; "(9) maintain trade stability and provide for the continuation of control and orderly processing by the State over the regulation of alcoholic beverage manufacturing locations and the process of selling alcoholic beverages to the state's consumers; "(10) ensure that the Department of Revenue and State Law Enforcement Division are able to monitor licensed operations through on-site inspections to confirm compliance with state law and that any alcoholic beverages shipped into, distributed, and sold throughout this State: "(a) have been registered for sale in this State with the Department of Revenue, as prescribed by law; "(b) are not subject to a government-mandated or supplier-initiated recall; "(c) are not counterfeit; "(d) are labeled in conformance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; "(e) can be inspected and tested by the Department of Revenue or the State Law Enforcement Division; and "(f) are not prohibited by this State; "(11) promote and maintain a sound, stable, and viable three-tier system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public; and "(12) ensure that statutes and regulations relating to alcoholic beverages exist to serve the interests of the State of South Carolina and its citizens rather than to serve or protect the interests of market participants by adopting protectionist measures with no demonstrable connection to the state's legitimate interests in regulating alcoholic beverages." "SECTION 11. A state agency with regulations specifying alcohol content percentages different from the percentages passed in this act must promulgate revised regulations to conform to the changes in this act. Until such time as the regulations are conformed, the percentages in the statutory provisions passed in this act supersede any differing percentages in the regulations."
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-720 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 7 / Section 61-4-720
SECTION 61-4-720. Sale of wine by winery located in state; wine tastings.
Status: reserved

(A) Notwithstanding another provision of law, a licensed winery located in this State is authorized to sell wine with an alcohol content of sixteen and one-half percent, or less, on the winery premises and deliver or ship this wine to consumer homes in or outside the State so long as: (1) the licensed winery is the primary American source of supply for the wine sold; or (2) the wine is produced on its licensed premises. (B) For wine that is not produced on its licensed premises in the State pursuant to subsection (A)(2), but for which the winery is the primary American source of supply under subsection (A)(1), the winery may not sell more than twenty-four bottles of wine each month directly to a resident of this State for such resident's personal use and not for resale. (C) These wineries are authorized to provide, with or without cost, wine tasting samples to prospective customers. Editor's Note 2021 Act No. 60, SECTIONS 1 and 11, provide as follows: "SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds and declares that: "(A) The State has a substantial interest in regulating alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol; the activities of manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers; and the influences that affect the consumption levels of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by the people of the State. "(B) The State has a substantial interest in exercising its police power to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the State by regulating the business of manufacturing, distributing, and retail sales of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol in the manner and to the extent allowed by law to promote and preserve public health and safety through legitimate, nonprotectionist measures, which include regulating and controlling alcoholic beverage transactions in this State and the means and manner in which licensed micro-distilleries and alcoholic liquor manufacturers may sell alcoholic beverages to the state's qualifying consumers. "(C) Selling alcoholic liquors from manufacturers outside the State directly to residents of this State poses a serious threat to the state's efforts to prevent underage drinking, to state revenue collections, and to the public health and safety of the state's residents. "(D) By this act, the General Assembly intends to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of residents of this State with laws intended to strictly regulate alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by preserving and promoting a robust, stable system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public that does not provide for economic protectionism. Excessive use of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol has wide-ranging deleterious health effects, including death. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control, during the period from 2011 to 2015, an average of one thousand six hundred seventy-nine of this state's residents suffered alcohol attributed deaths due to excessive alcohol use and the rate of binge drinking in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this State had two hundred eighty-five alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2019, which accounted for twenty-eight percent of the total traffic fatalities in the State. Attributed deaths due to alcohol-impaired driving in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. "(E) This act has been enacted pursuant to the authority granted to the State by the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the powers reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the inherent powers of the State under the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, and the statutes promulgated thereunder. It is the intent of the General Assembly that this act do all of the following: "(1) further regulate and control transactions in this State as to beverages containing alcohol under the control and supervision of the Department of Revenue; "(2) strictly regulate alcoholic beverage transactions by fostering moderation and responsibility in the use and consumption of beverages containing alcohol; "(3) promote and assure the public's interest in fair and efficient distribution and quality control of alcoholic beverages in this State; "(4) promote orderly marketing of alcoholic beverages; "(5) prevent unfair business practices, discrimination, and undue control of one segment of the alcoholic beverage industry by any other segment; "(6) foster vigorous and healthy competition in the alcoholic beverage industry and protect the interests of consumers against fraud and misleading practices in the sale of alcoholic beverages, and avoid problems associated with indiscriminate price cutting and excessive advertising of alcoholic beverages; "(7) provide for an orderly system of public revenues by facilitating the collection and accountability of this State and local excise taxes; "(8) facilitate the collection of state and local revenue; "(9) maintain trade stability and provide for the continuation of control and orderly processing by the State over the regulation of alcoholic beverage manufacturing locations and the process of selling alcoholic beverages to the state's consumers; "(10) ensure that the Department of Revenue and State Law Enforcement Division are able to monitor licensed operations through on-site inspections to confirm compliance with state law and that any alcoholic beverages shipped into, distributed, and sold throughout this State: "(a) have been registered for sale in this State with the Department of Revenue, as prescribed by law; "(b) are not subject to a government-mandated or supplier-initiated recall; "(c) are not counterfeit; "(d) are labeled in conformance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; "(e) can be inspected and tested by the Department of Revenue or the State Law Enforcement Division; and "(f) are not prohibited by this State; "(11) promote and maintain a sound, stable, and viable three-tier system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public; and "(12) ensure that statutes and regulations relating to alcoholic beverages exist to serve the interests of the State of South Carolina and its citizens rather than to serve or protect the interests of market participants by adopting protectionist measures with no demonstrable connection to the state's legitimate interests in regulating alcoholic beverages." "SECTION 11. A state agency with regulations specifying alcohol content percentages different from the percentages passed in this act must promulgate revised regulations to conform to the changes in this act. Until such time as the regulations are conformed, the percentages in the statutory provisions passed in this act supersede any differing percentages in the regulations." Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment rewrote this section. 2021 Act No. 60, SECTION 2, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-170 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 1 / Section 61-4-170
SECTION 61-4-170. Beverages resembling vegetable, fruit, or soft drinks.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for a person, with or without a beer or wine permit, to sell or to offer for sale a beverage generally used as and for a soft drink rather than as a medicine or for cooking purposes having an alcoholic content, when the beverage resembles in color and general appearances a vegetable drink, a fruit drink, or a soft drink. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. In addition, these beverages are contraband and must be seized by an authorized agent or inspector of the division, or by a peace officer, and disposed of in a manner provided for the disposition of unlawful alcoholic liquors.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4400 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4400
SECTION 61-6-4400. Stay of sale; appraisals.
Status: in_force

Upon service upon the sheriff of a proceeding under Section 61-6-4390, he must stay the sale, retain the chattel, and await the order of the court. The sheriff must have the chattel appraised as appraisals are provided for in attachment cases under Section 15-19-270, must transmit the appraisal to the court, and must keep a copy of the appraisal in his office.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4480 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4480
SECTION 61-6-4480. Sheriffs' reports of seized chattels.
Status: in_force

The sheriff of each county must, upon seizure of or delivery to him of a chattel seized under the provisions of this article, report the seizure of the chattel to the department setting forth in the report a description of the chattel, the name of the owner if known, the grounds upon which the chattel was seized, by whom the chattel was seized, and the appraised value of the chattel if an appraisal has been made. The sheriff must, after the chattel has been sold or disposed of in accordance with the provisions of this article, make a report to the department setting forth the amount of the sale, the purchaser, the disposition of the proceeds, or whatever disposition has been made of the chattel by the sheriff pursuant to an order of the court. The department must establish a system for the filing and recording of these reports.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-2310 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 61-6-2310
SECTION 61-6-2310. Qualified facilities; hospitality cabinets; notification of approval.
Status: in_force

After approval by ordinance by the governing body of the county or municipality in which a qualified facility licensed to sell alcoholic beverages on its premises is located, the qualified facility also may sell the beverages in sealed containers in individual portions to its qualified registered guests by means of a hospitality cabinet located in the rooms of these guests, if the conditions of this chapter are met. Within ten days of approval by the governing body, qualified facilities within its jurisdiction and the South Carolina Department of Revenue must be notified of the approval.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1650 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 61-6-1650
SECTION 61-6-1650. Samples of wine in excess of sixteen and one-half percent alcohol, cordials, or distilled spirits.
Status: reserved

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a producer or wholesaler may furnish or give a sample of wine in excess of sixteen and one-half percent alcohol, cordial, or distilled spirit to a retailer who has not purchased the brand from a producer or wholesaler in the past three hundred sixty-five days. For each retail establishment, a producer or wholesaler may not give more than three liters of any brand of wine in excess of sixteen and one-half percent alcohol, cordial, or distilled spirit annually. If a particular product is not available in a size within the quantity limitations of this section, a producer or wholesaler may furnish to a retailer the next larger size. Samples of each bottle or other container must be clearly marked "Sample—Not for resale". Nothing in this section allows for any sample to be sold or provided to any employees under the age of twenty-one or to a retailer's customers. The producer or wholesaler shall remove all bottles at the conclusion of the sampling. For purposes of this section, the term "brand" is defined as provided under 27 C.F.R. Section 6.11. Editor's Note 2021 Act No. 60, SECTIONS 1 and 11, provide as follows: "SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds and declares that: "(A) The State has a substantial interest in regulating alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol; the activities of manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers; and the influences that affect the consumption levels of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by the people of the State. "(B) The State has a substantial interest in exercising its police power to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the State by regulating the business of manufacturing, distributing, and retail sales of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol in the manner and to the extent allowed by law to promote and preserve public health and safety through legitimate, nonprotectionist measures, which include regulating and controlling alcoholic beverage transactions in this State and the means and manner in which licensed micro-distilleries and alcoholic liquor manufacturers may sell alcoholic beverages to the state's qualifying consumers. "(C) Selling alcoholic liquors from manufacturers outside the State directly to residents of this State poses a serious threat to the state's efforts to prevent underage drinking, to state revenue collections, and to the public health and safety of the state's residents. "(D) By this act, the General Assembly intends to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of residents of this State with laws intended to strictly regulate alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol by preserving and promoting a robust, stable system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public that does not provide for economic protectionism. Excessive use of alcoholic liquors and other beverages containing alcohol has wide-ranging deleterious health effects, including death. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control, during the period from 2011 to 2015, an average of one thousand six hundred seventy-nine of this state's residents suffered alcohol attributed deaths due to excessive alcohol use and the rate of binge drinking in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. The General Assembly acknowledges that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this State had two hundred eighty-five alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2019, which accounted for twenty-eight percent of the total traffic fatalities in the State. Attributed deaths due to alcohol-impaired driving in this State is ranked among the highest in the nation. "(E) This act has been enacted pursuant to the authority granted to the State by the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the powers reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the inherent powers of the State under the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, and the statutes promulgated thereunder. It is the intent of the General Assembly that this act do all of the following: "(1) further regulate and control transactions in this State as to beverages containing alcohol under the control and supervision of the Department of Revenue; "(2) strictly regulate alcoholic beverage transactions by fostering moderation and responsibility in the use and consumption of beverages containing alcohol; "(3) promote and assure the public's interest in fair and efficient distribution and quality control of alcoholic beverages in this State; "(4) promote orderly marketing of alcoholic beverages; "(5) prevent unfair business practices, discrimination, and undue control of one segment of the alcoholic beverage industry by any other segment; "(6) foster vigorous and healthy competition in the alcoholic beverage industry and protect the interests of consumers against fraud and misleading practices in the sale of alcoholic beverages, and avoid problems associated with indiscriminate price cutting and excessive advertising of alcoholic beverages; "(7) provide for an orderly system of public revenues by facilitating the collection and accountability of this State and local excise taxes; "(8) facilitate the collection of state and local revenue; "(9) maintain trade stability and provide for the continuation of control and orderly processing by the State over the regulation of alcoholic beverage manufacturing locations and the process of selling alcoholic beverages to the state's consumers; "(10) ensure that the Department of Revenue and State Law Enforcement Division are able to monitor licensed operations through on-site inspections to confirm compliance with state law and that any alcoholic beverages shipped into, distributed, and sold throughout this State: "(a) have been registered for sale in this State with the Department of Revenue, as prescribed by law; "(b) are not subject to a government-mandated or supplier-initiated recall; "(c) are not counterfeit; "(d) are labeled in conformance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; "(e) can be inspected and tested by the Department of Revenue or the State Law Enforcement Division; and "(f) are not prohibited by this State; "(11) promote and maintain a sound, stable, and viable three-tier system of distribution of beverages containing alcohol to the public; and "(12) ensure that statutes and regulations relating to alcoholic beverages exist to serve the interests of the State of South Carolina and its citizens rather than to serve or protect the interests of market participants by adopting protectionist measures with no demonstrable connection to the state's legitimate interests in regulating alcoholic beverages." "SECTION 11. A state agency with regulations specifying alcohol content percentages different from the percentages passed in this act must promulgate revised regulations to conform to the changes in this act. Until such time as the regulations are conformed, the percentages in the statutory provisions passed in this act supersede any differing percentages in the regulations." Effect of Amendment 2021 Act No. 60, SECTION 7, in the first and second sentences, substituted "sixteen and one-half percent" for "sixteen percent".
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-50 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 61-6-50
SECTION 61-6-50. Wilful violation of rule or regulation.
Status: in_force

The wilful violation of any rule or regulation made under the provisions of the ABC Act constitutes a violation of the act. The determination of what action constitutes a wilful violation shall be made pursuant to the terms within the provisions of the ABC Act and no regulation shall be promulgated or enforced that exceeds the requirements of the ABC Act.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-620 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 5 / Section 61-4-620
SECTION 61-4-620. Permits for retail sale of beer and wine; Sunday sales permitted when establishment closes on Saturday for religious reasons.
Status: in_force

A person who sells beer and wine pursuant to a permit issued in accordance with Sections 61-4-500, 61-4-520, and 61-4-540 of the 1976 Code and who closes his business establishment or refrains from operating his business on Saturdays for religious reasons may be allowed, upon the filing of an affidavit of closing on Saturdays for religious reasons with and the payment of an additional fee of fifty dollars to the department, to open for business and sell beer and wine on Sundays, as specified in Sections 61-4-120, 61-4-130, and 61-4-140 in those counties which authorize Sunday beer sale permits. The opening of the business establishment or operation of business on Saturdays in contradiction of the affidavit is grounds for the revocation of the permit issued pursuant to this section and Sections 61-4-500, 61-4-520, and 61-4-540. The fifty-dollar additional fee must be used to pay the administrative and enforcement costs of this special permit.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1530 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-1530
SECTION 61-6-1530. Signs required to be posted.
Status: in_force

A retail dealer must have posted in his place of business signs with the following words printed thereon: (1) "The possession of beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors, by a person under twenty-one years of age is a criminal offense under the laws of this State, and it is also unlawful for a person to knowingly give false information concerning his age for the purpose of purchasing beer, wine, or liquor". The department must prescribe by regulation the size of the lettering and the location of the sign on the seller's premises. A retail seller of alcoholic liquors who fails to display this sign is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. A person found guilty of a violation of Section 61-4-70 and this subsection may not be sentenced under both Section 61-4-70 and this subsection for the same offense. (2) "A person may transport alcoholic liquors to and from a place where alcoholic liquors may be lawfully possessed or consumed; but if the cap or seal on the container has been opened or broken, it is unlawful to transport alcoholic liquors in a motor vehicle, except in the luggage compartment or cargo area". The size of the lettering and approved locations on the retail dealer's premises must be provided for by rules and regulations of the department. (3) "The purchase of alcoholic liquors from this location by or on behalf of another retail dealer is unlawful and will result in the suspension of the purchaser's retail dealer's license". The department must prescribe by regulation the size of the lettering and the location of the sign on the seller's premises. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 223, SECTION 4, added paragraph (3).
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-710 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-710
SECTION 61-6-710. Special food manufacturer's license.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a person who manufactures in this State food items such as sauces and marinades in which there is an alcoholic beverage ingredient and who does so under an agreement with the alcoholic beverage manufacturer must apply for a special food manufacturer's license from the department, in accordance with Section 61-2-100, to purchase the alcoholic beverage directly from the manufacturer in containers holding greater quantities of liquor than are sold to a retail consumer. The department must establish the form of the application for the special food manufacturer's license.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1636 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 61-6-1636
SECTION 61-6-1636. Purchasing and sale of alcoholic liquor by the drink.
Status: in_force

(A) A person licensed by this article for sale and use for on-premises consumption shall purchase alcoholic liquor for sale by the drink from a licensed retail dealer with a wholesaler's basic permit issued pursuant to the Federal Alcohol Administration Act or from a licensed wholesaler, as provided in subsection (C), in any size bottle, except 1.75 liter sized bottles. (B) A licensed retail dealer with a wholesaler's basic permit issued pursuant to the Federal Alcohol Administration Act may deliver, in sealed containers, alcoholic liquor in any size bottle, except 1.75 liter sized bottles, to a person licensed by this article to sell alcoholic liquors for on-premises consumption. (C)(1) For the purposes of this subsection, "new alcoholic liquor" means alcoholic liquor not previously sold in this State. (2) A licensed wholesaler may deliver new alcoholic liquor to a person licensed by this article to sell alcoholic liquors for on-premises consumption: (a) in sealed containers and in any sized bottle, except 1.75 liter sized bottles, and (b) only during the first one hundred eighty days from the date of the first bill of lading in this State for that new alcoholic liquor. (3) Within ten days of receipt of the first bill of lading, the licensed wholesaler must provide a copy of the bill of lading to the department in the manner prescribed by the department. Effect of Amendment 2018 Act No. 147, SECTION 4, in (A), substituted "or from a licensed wholesaler, as provided in subsection (C), in any size bottle, except 1.75 liter sized bottles" for "in any size bottle, except 1.75 liter size bottles"; in (B), substituted "1.75 liter sized bottles" for "1.75 liter size bottles"; and added (C), relating to new alcoholic liquor.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-2220 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 61-6-2220
SECTION 61-6-2220. Sales to intoxicated persons.
Status: in_force

Section effective January 1, 2026. See, also, section 61-6-2220 effective until January 1, 2026. A person or establishment licensed to sell alcoholic liquors or liquor by the drink pursuant to this article may not knowingly sell these beverages to persons in an intoxicated condition; these sales are considered violations of the provisions thereof and subject to the penalties contained herein. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 42, SECTION 11, provides as follows: "SECTION 11. This act takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to causes of action or claims arising or accruing after January 1, 2026, and applies to all policies issued after that date, other than Section 61-4-523 which takes effect upon approval by the Governor." Effect of Amendment 2025 Act No. 42, SECTION 2, inserted "knowingly" following "may not".Section effective until January 1, 2026. See, also, section 61-6-2220 effective January 1, 2026. A person or establishment licensed to sell alcoholic liquors or liquor by the drink pursuant to this article may not sell these beverages to persons in an intoxicated condition; these sales are considered violations of the provisions thereof and subject to the penalties contained herein.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-330 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 3 / Section 61-4-330
SECTION 61-4-330. Books and records audit.
Status: in_force

The department and the division have the right within statutory limitations to audit and examine the books and records, papers, and memoranda of a producer with respect to the administration and enforcement of laws administered by the department and the division.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-747 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 7 / Section 61-4-747
SECTION 61-4-747. Direct shipment to residents for personal consumption; licensing of out-of-state shippers; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a manufacturer of wine located within this State or outside this State that holds a wine producer and blenders basic permit issued in accordance with the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and obtains an out-of-state shipper's license, as provided in this section, may ship up to twenty-four bottles of wine each month directly to a resident of this State who is at least twenty-one years of age for such resident's personal use and not for resale. (B) Before sending a shipment to a resident of this State, an out-of-state shipper first shall: (1) file an application with the Department of Revenue; (2) pay a biennial license fee of four hundred dollars; (3) provide to the department a true copy of its current wine producer and blenders basic permit issued in accordance with the Federal Alcohol Administration Act; and (4) obtain from the department an out-of-state shipper's license. (C) Each out-of-state shipper licensee shall: (1) not ship more than twenty-four bottles of wine each month to a person; (2) ensure that all containers of wine shipped directly to a resident in this State are labeled conspicuously with the words "CONTAINS ALCOHOL: SIGNATURE OF PERSON AGE 21 OR OLDER REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY"; (3) report to the department annually, by August thirty-first of each year, the total amount of wine shipped into the State the preceding year; (4) annually, by January twentieth of each year, pay to the department all sales taxes and excise taxes due on sales to residents of this State in the preceding calendar year, the amount of the taxes to be calculated as if the sale were in this State at the location where delivery is made; (5) permit the department to perform an audit of the out-of-state shipper's records upon request; and (6) be deemed to have consented to the jurisdiction of the department or another state agency and the courts of this State concerning enforcement of this section and any related laws. (D) The out-of-state shipper on August thirty-first of each applicable year must renew its license with the department by paying a renewal fee of four hundred dollars and providing the department a true copy of its current alcoholic beverage license issued in another state. (E) The department may promulgate regulations to effectuate the purposes of this section. (F) The department shall enforce the requirements of this section by administrative proceedings to suspend or revoke an out-of-state shipper's license if the licensee fails to comply with the requirements of this section, and the department may accept payment of an offer in compromise instead of suspension. (G)(1) A shipment of wine from out-of-state direct to consumers in this State from persons who do not possess a current out-of-state shipper's license is prohibited. A person who knowingly makes, participates in, transports, imports, or receives such a shipment from out-of-state is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined one hundred dollars. A shipment of wine which violates any provision of this item is contraband. (2) Without limitation on any punishment or remedy, criminal or civil, a person who knowingly makes, participates in, transports, imports, or receives a shipment as provided in item (1) of this subsection from out-of-state commits an unfair trade practice.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-2810 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 7 / Section 61-6-2810
SECTION 61-6-2810. Exemption for South Carolina manufacturers.
Status: in_force

A South Carolina manufacturer licensed under the provisions of Article 3 of this chapter is exempt from the provisions of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-1940 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 19 / Section 61-4-1940
SECTION 61-4-1940. Removal or alteration of tag; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) A person may not purposefully remove, alter, obliterate, or allow to be removed, altered, or obliterated, a keg tag or other information recorded on the tag. (B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both. (C) The provisions of this section do not apply to any manufacturer, shipper, wholesaler, licensee, the Department of Revenue, or other appropriate law enforcement agency.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-500 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 5 / Section 61-4-500
SECTION 61-4-500. Applications.
Status: in_force

A person engaging in the business of selling beer, ale, porter, wine, or a beverage which has been declared to be nonalcoholic and nonintoxicating under Section 61-4-10 must apply to the department for a permit to sell these beverages. Each applicant must pay a filing fee of two hundred dollars which is not refundable. A retailer must pay to the department four hundred dollars biennially for a retail permit, and a wholesale dealer must pay to the department two thousand dollars biennially for a wholesale permit. A separate permit is required for each separate place of business. A person who initially applies for a permit after the first day of a permit period must pay permit fees in accordance with the schedule provided in Section 61-6-1810(C).
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-20 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 61-6-20
SECTION 61-6-20. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in the ABC Act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise: (1)(a) "Alcoholic liquors" or "alcoholic beverages" means any spirituous malt, vinous, fermented, brewed (whether lager or rice beer), or other liquors or a compound or mixture of them, including, but not limited to, a powdered or crystalline alcohol, by whatever name called or known, which contains alcohol and is used as a beverage for human consumption, but does not include: (i) wine when manufactured or made for home consumption and which is not sold by the maker of the wine or by another person; or (ii) a beverage declared by statute to be nonalcoholic or nonintoxicating. (b) "Alcoholic liquor by the drink" or "alcoholic beverage by the drink" means a drink poured from a container of alcoholic liquor, without regard to the size of the container for consumption on the premises of a business licensed pursuant to Article 5 of this chapter. (c) "Powdered or crystalline alcohol" means a powdered or crystalline product prepared or sold for either direct use or reconstitution for human consumption that contains any amount of alcohol when hydrolyzed. (2) "Bona fide engaged primarily and substantially in the preparation and serving of meals" means a business that provides facilities for seating not fewer than forty persons simultaneously at tables for the service of meals and that: (a) is equipped with a kitchen that is utilized for the cooking, preparation, and serving of meals upon customer request at normal meal times; (b) has readily available to its guests and patrons either menus with the listings of various meals offered for service or a listing of available meals and foods, posted in a conspicuous place readily discernible by the guest or patrons; and (c) prepares for service to customers, upon the demand of the customer, hot meals at least once each day the business establishment chooses to be open. (3) "Homeowners association chartered as a nonprofit by the Secretary of State" means an organization that has been recognized as a nonprofit by the Secretary of State, whose membership is limited to individuals who own property in the residential community, and whose affairs are governed by a board of directors elected by the membership. No member, officer, agent, or employee of the association may be paid a salary or other form of compensation from any of the profit of the sale of alcoholic beverages, except as may be voted on at a meeting of the governing body, nor shall the salaries or compensation be in excess of reasonable compensation for the services actually performed. Additionally, a "homeowners association chartered as a nonprofit by the Secretary of State" must abide by all alcoholic liquor regulations that apply to a nonprofit organization, as defined by Section 61-6-20(7), except that upon dissolution of the "homeowners association chartered as a nonprofit by the Secretary of State", the remaining assets, if any, may be distributed to its members. A "homeowners association chartered as a nonprofit by the Secretary of State" is eligible to be licensed under this chapter only at facilities located within the boundaries of the homeowners association. (4) "Manufacturer" means a person operating a plant or place of business in this State for distilling, rectifying, brewing, fermenting, blending, or bottling alcoholic liquors. (5) "Furnishing lodging" means those businesses which rent accommodations for lodging to the public on a regular basis consisting of not less than eighteen rooms. (6) "Minibottle" means a sealed container of fifty milliliters or less of alcoholic liquor. (7) "Nonprofit organization" means an organization not open to the general public, but with a limited membership and established for social, benevolent, patriotic, recreational, or fraternal purposes. (8) "Producer", as used in the ABC Act, means a manufacturer, distiller, rectifier, blender, or bottler of alcoholic liquors and includes an importer of alcoholic liquors engaged in importing alcoholic liquors into the United States. (9) "Producer representative" means a person who is a citizen of this State, who maintains his principal place of abode in this State, and who is registered with the department pursuant to Article 7 of this chapter as the South Carolina representative of a registered producer. (10) "Registered producer" means a producer who is registered with the department pursuant to Article 7 of this chapter. (11) "Retail dealer" means a holder of a license issued under the provisions of Article 3 of this chapter, other than a manufacturer or wholesaler. (12) "Wholesaler" means a person who purchases, acquires, or imports from outside this State or who purchases or acquires from a manufacturer in the State alcoholic liquors for resale. Effect of Amendment The first 2008 amendment, in item (2), in the introductory sentence substituted "business that provides" for "business which has been issued a Grade A retail establishment food permit prior to issuance of a license under Article 5 of this chapter, and in addition provides", "fewer" for "less" and added subitems (a) to (c). The second 2008 amendment made identical changes. The 2011 amendment inserted subsection (3); and redesignated former subsections (3) to (11) as subsections (4) to (12). The 2013 amendment substituted "eighteen" for "twenty" in paragraph (5). 2015 Act No. 73, SECTION 1, in (1)(a), inserted ", including, but not limited to, a powdered or crystalline alcohol,", inserted a comma following "or known", and inserted "for human consumption"; and added (1)(c).
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4000 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4000
SECTION 61-6-4000. Relationship with other laws.
Status: in_force

This article, except Section 61-6-4720, is complementary to and not in conflict with the laws providing for the lawful sale of beer, wines, and other vinous, fermented, or malt liquors.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-270 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 1 / Section 61-4-270
SECTION 61-4-270. Revocation of permits.
Status: in_force

In addition to the penalties provided in this chapter, the department may revoke the permit of a person failing to comply with any requirements hereof.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4040 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4040
SECTION 61-6-4040. Rendering aid in unlawful transportation.
Status: in_force

A person who acts as an advance or rear guard or pilot to a person engaged in the transportation of alcoholic liquors in violation of any law of this State is guilty of the offense of knowingly transporting alcoholic liquors for unlawful purposes and, upon conviction, must be punished for this misdemeanor as follows: (a) for a first offense, by a fine of not less than six hundred dollars or imprisonment for six months; (b) for a second offense, by a fine of one thousand five hundred dollars or imprisonment for one year; and (c) for a third or subsequent offense, by a fine of three thousand dollars or imprisonment for two years. The buggy, wagon, automobile, aircraft, railroad car, bicycle, motorcycle, or other vehicle or boat, launch, or other vessel used by the person in rendering the aid may be confiscated in the same method and manner as provided by this article for the confiscation of a vehicle actually used in the carrying of these alcoholic liquors.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-3-110 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 3 / Section 61-3-110
SECTION 61-3-110. Alcohol server training required; certificates.
Status: in_force

Section effective January 1, 2026. (A) An alcohol server or manager must complete alcohol server training and obtain an alcohol server certificate pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. If an alcohol server or manager does not have a current alcohol server certificate at the time of employment in that capacity, then the licensee or permittee must provide alcohol server training within thirty calendar days of employment. An alcohol server shall not be mentally or physically impaired or intoxicated by alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances while serving alcohol on behalf of the licensee. (B) A permittee or licensee shall maintain at all times on its permitted or licensed premises physical or electronic copies of the alcohol server certificates for its managers and alcohol servers for the duration of employment. Copies of the alcohol server certificate must be made available, upon request, to the department, the division, or the agents and employees of each. For the purposes of enforcement of the provisions of this chapter: (1) a permittee or licensee must also make available to the department or the division, when requested, the date a manager or alcohol server began employment in the capacity; and (2) a permittee or licensee shall be excused for the failure to produce the alcohol server certificate if that failure is due to a provider's failure to report the successful completion of training and testing or the department's failure to issue a certificate to an applicant who has met the requirements of Section 61-3-130. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 42, SECTION 11, provides as follows: "SECTION 11. This act takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to causes of action or claims arising or accruing after January 1, 2026, and applies to all policies issued after that date, other than Section 61-4-523 which takes effect upon approval by the Governor."
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-550 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 5 / Section 61-4-550
SECTION 61-4-550. Special permits for use at fairs and special functions.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may issue permits running for a period not exceeding fifteen days for a fee of ten dollars per day. These special permits may be issued only for locations at fairs and special functions. (B) The department shall require the applicant to obtain a criminal records check conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division within ninety days prior to an application. The department shall deny the application if the criminal records check is not submitted with the application and filing fee or if it was obtained more than ninety days before. (C) The department shall require the applicant to complete the law enforcement notification provision contained in an application form and submit it with the application. The law enforcement notification provision shall be prepared by the department for inclusion in the application and, at a minimum, must contain sufficient information to inform the department that either the chief of police, if the event is located within the city limits, or the county sheriff has been notified of the temporary permit application and given an opportunity to object. (D) The department may issue up to twenty-five temporary permits to sell beer and wine on one application for special functions in a twelve-month period to the same applicant, if that applicant is also applying for up to twenty-five temporary licenses to sell alcoholic liquors by the drink, pursuant to Section 61-6-2000(D). This does not prohibit the applicant from applying for additional special permits within the same twelve-month period. (E) Beginning January 1, 2021, at least twenty-four hours before the fair or special function, the applicant shall notify the State Law Enforcement Division and all local law enforcement that have jurisdiction over the fair or special function site that alcohol will be served at the site. Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment rewrote this section. The 2011 amendment rewrote the section. 2020 Act No. 167, SECTION 3, added (E).
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-10-250 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 10 / Article 3 / Section 61-10-250
SECTION 61-10-250. Storage in warehouses.
Status: in_force

A person who manufactures alcohol under the provisions of this article must, while the alcohol remains in this State, store and keep it in a general United States bonded warehouse or in another warehouse and file with the Secretary of State a declaration setting forth the exact location, description, and dimension of each warehouse used and to be used for this purpose. It is unlawful to store or keep alcohol manufactured under the provisions of this article in a place other than that described in the declaration.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4360 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4360
SECTION 61-6-4360. Notice of motor vehicle seizure.
Status: in_force

(A) If a chattel seized under this article is a vehicle registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, the sheriff must obtain from the Department of Motor Vehicles the name and address of the person in whose name the car is registered and must notify the person by registered mail of the seizure. If the chattel is a vehicle registered in another state, the sheriff must request from the Department of Motor Vehicles the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle and must notify the owner in like manner. (B) Immediately upon notification from the sheriff as required by subsection (A) or upon notice from the department that the name of the registered owner of the seized vehicle cannot be ascertained, the sheriff must give notice of the seizure made under this article by advertisement at least once a week for a period of three weeks in a paper of general circulation in the county. The advertisement must allege the seizure, describe the chattel, set forth in general terms the grounds of forfeiture of the seized property, and the date upon which the sale is to be made, which date must be not less than sixty days after seizure of the chattel.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-960 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 9 / Section 61-4-960
SECTION 61-4-960. Retailers of beer for off-premises consumption, beer tastings; penalties.
Status: repealed

(A) Notwithstanding another provision of law or regulation, the holder of a retail permit authorizing the sale of beer for off-premises consumption whose primary product is beer or wine may conduct, in accordance with department rulings or regulations, not more than twenty-four beer tastings at any one retail location in a calendar quarter, provided that: (1) at least ten days before the tasting, a notice detailing the specific date and hours of the tasting must be sent by first class mail or by electronic mail to the State Law Enforcement Division; (2) the tastings must be conducted by the retailer or an agent or independent contractor of the retailer and may not be conducted by a wholesaler or manufacturer or an employee, agent, or independent contractor of a wholesaler or manufacturer. Nothing in this subsection prohibits a manufacturer or employee, agent, or independent contractor of a manufacturer from attending a tasting to provide information and offer educational material on the products to be sampled. For purposes of this subsection, a wholesaler is not considered an employee, agent, or independent contractor of a manufacturer; (3) the products must be supplied by the retailer and may not be donated or otherwise supplied at no or reduced cost by the manufacturer or wholesaler; (4) a sample may not be offered from more than eight products at any one tasting; (5) no more than one container of each of the products to be sampled may be open at any time. Open containers must be visible at all times and must be removed at the conclusion of a tasting; (6) the tasting must be held in a designated tasting area of the retail store; (7) samples must be no more than two ounces for each product sampled as defined in Section 61-4-10(1); (8) samples must be no more than one ounce for each product sampled as defined in Section 61-4-10(2), provided that no more than two of the total eight samples may contain more than ten percent of alcohol by weight; (9) a person shall not be served more than one sample of each product; (10) a sample shall not be offered to, or allowed to be consumed by, an intoxicated person or a person under the age of twenty-one years. A person tasting a sample may not be allowed to loiter on the store premises; (11) a sampling may not be offered for more than four hours; and (12) a retailer, pursuant to this section, may not offer more than one sampling per day. (B) A person who violates the provisions of this section must be assessed a fine of one hundred dollars for each violation in addition to other applicable fines and penalties. The revenue from the one hundred dollar fine must be directed to the Department of Revenue for supplementing funds required for the department's activities concerning licensure and regulation of alcohol. Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment deleted former subsection (12), relating to Section 61-4-737, and redesignated former subsections (13) and (14) as (12) and (13). 2017 Act No. 62, SECTION 4.C, repealed (A)(13), which had prohibited a tasting from being held in conjunction with a tasting in a retail alcoholic liquor store that was adjacent to and licensed in the same name of the retail permit authorizing the sale of beer.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-100 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 1 / Section 61-4-100
SECTION 61-4-100. Criminal charges brought against both seller and purchaser.
Status: in_force

(A) If a person is charged with a violation of the unlawful sale of beer or wine to minors pursuant to Section 61-4-50, the minor also must be charged with a violation of the unlawful purchase or possession of beer or wine pursuant to Section 63-19-2440. In addition, if the minor violated false information as to age pursuant to Section 61-4-60 or if an adult violated the unlawful purchase of beer or wine for a person who cannot lawfully buy pursuant to Section 61-4-80, these persons also must be charged with their violations. (B) A person may not be charged with a violation of Section 61-4-50 if the provisions of subsection (A) are not met. (C) Nothing in this section requires that charges made pursuant to this section be prosecuted to conclusion; but rather this determination must be made in the manner provided by law. (D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (A) and (B), a person under the age of twenty-one may be recruited and authorized by a law enforcement agency to test an establishment's compliance with laws relating to the unlawful transfer or sale of beer or wine to a minor. The testing must be under the direct supervision of a law enforcement agency, and the agency must have the person's parental consent. If the requirements of this subsection are met, a person may be charged with a violation of Section 61-4-50 without the requirement that the minor also be charged.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1110 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-1110
SECTION 61-6-1110. Manufacturer's license; fee.
Status: in_force

The department may issue a manufacturer's license to a person to manufacture alcoholic liquors in the State subject to the requirements of this chapter and a payment of a biennial manufacturer license fee of fifty thousand dollars. This section is not applicable to a micro-distillery as defined and licensed pursuant to the provisions of this subarticle.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-175 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 2 / Section 61-2-175
SECTION 61-2-175. Foreign person or corporate entity shipping alcoholic beverages to resident not holding valid license; cease and desist order; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) Any person or corporate entity (including partnerships) located in another state or country who knowingly and intentionally ships, causes to be shipped, or accepts for shipment any beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors directly to any resident of this State who does not hold a valid producer's, manufacturer's, wholesaler's, or special food manufacturer's license or producer representative's certificate of registration issued by the State of South Carolina is in violation of this title. (B) Any person, corporation, or partnership found by the department to be in violation of subsection (A) of this section shall be issued a notice to cease and desist. Any person, corporation, or partnership who, after receiving a cease and desist order, is found by the department to be in violation of subsection (A) of this section for a second or subsequent occurrence within a two-year period of the first violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000. This subsection shall not apply to any person, corporation, or partnership who has registered brands for sale with the department pursuant to this title and who has current licenses and who has posted adequate surety bonds as required by this title; however, violations of subsection (A) constitute grounds for the department to take appropriate administrative action against the person, including suspension or cancellation of license and forfeiture of bonds.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-120 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-120
SECTION 61-6-120. Proximity to church, school, or playground; exception.
Status: in_force

(A) The department shall not grant or issue any license provided for in this article, Article 5, or Article 7 of this chapter, if the place of business is within three hundred feet of any church, school, or playground situated within a municipality or within five hundred feet of any church, school, or playground situated outside of a municipality. Such distance shall be computed by following the shortest route of ordinary pedestrian or vehicular travel along the public thoroughfare from the nearest point of the grounds in use as part of such church, school, or playground, which, as used herein, shall be defined as follows: (1) "church", an establishment, other than a private dwelling, where religious services are usually conducted; (2) "school", an establishment, other than a private dwelling, where the usual processes of education are usually conducted; and (3) "playground", a place, other than grounds at a private dwelling, which is provided by the public or members of a community for recreation. The above restrictions do not apply to the renewal of licenses and they do not apply to new applications for locations which are licensed at the time the new application is filed with the department. (B) An applicant for license renewal or for a new license at an existing location shall pay a five dollar certification fee to determine if the exemptions provided for in subsection (A) apply. (C)(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (A), the department may issue a license so long as any church, school, or playground located within the parameters affirmatively states that it does not object to the issuance of a license. This subsection only applies to a permit for on-premises consumption of alcoholic liquor. (2)(a) Any applicant seeking to utilize the provisions of this subsection must provide a statement declaring the church, playground, or school does not object to the issuance of the specific license sought, as follows: (i) if a church, from the decision-making body of the local church; (ii) if a playground, from the decision-making body of the owner of the playground; (iii) if a school, from the local school district board of trustees of the local public school, governing board of the charter school, or governing authority of the private school. (b) If more than one church, school, or playground is located within the parameters set forth in subsection (A), the applicant must provide the statement from all churches, schools, or playgrounds. (c) At the time of any renewal period for the specific license, a school, from the local school district board of trustees of the local public school, governing board of the charter school, or governing authority of the private school, may withdraw its statement declaring it does not object to the issuance of the specific license sought by notifying the department of its withdrawal. (3) The department may promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 253, SECTION 1, in subsection (A), inserted "Article 5," in the first sentence, and added subsection (C). 2018 Act No. 252, SECTION 1, in (A)(2), inserted a comma following "private dwelling". 2018 Act No. 252, SECTION 2, rewrote (C), providing that a license may be issued if the decision-making body of the church, school, or playground affirmatively states that it does not object to the issuance of a license and allowing the decision-making body of a school to withdraw its statement during the renewal period for the license.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1630 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 61-6-1630
SECTION 61-6-1630. License restriction; retail dealer; liquor by the drink licensee.
Status: in_force

A person licensed to sell alcoholic liquor by the drink for on-premises consumption must not be licensed as a retail dealer on the same premises.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-160 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 61-6-160
SECTION 61-6-160. Unincorporated towns and communities.
Status: in_force

The department may, in its discretion, after investigation by the division, license retail dealers in unincorporated towns and communities when it would be to the interest of the unincorporated town or community to have a licensed retail dealer therein. However, the department may not license a retail dealer in any locality unless the department determines that the locality is under proper police protection.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-147 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 2 / Section 61-2-147
SECTION 61-2-147. Charges pursuant to SECTIONSECTION 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945; verdict forms; joint and several liability.
Status: in_force

Section effective January 1, 2026. (A) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15-38-15, a tortfeasor charged under Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 shall appear on the jury verdict form upon motion of the defendant, provided such motion is made within one hundred eighty days of the commencement of the action or at a later time for good cause shown. The plaintiff may also add the tortfeasor charged under Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 as a party defendant with the amended pleading relating back to the commencement of the action. If a verdict is rendered against both a licensee and a defendant charged under Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, then the licensee is jointly and severally liable for fifty percent of the plaintiff's actual damages. (B) Notwithstanding the time requirement in subsection (A), a settling tortfeasor, whether or not a party, shall be added to the verdict form. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 42, SECTION 11, provides as follows: "SECTION 11. This act takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to causes of action or claims arising or accruing after January 1, 2026, and applies to all policies issued after that date, other than Section 61-4-523 which takes effect upon approval by the Governor."
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1800 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 61-6-1800
SECTION 61-6-1800. License required.
Status: in_force

No person, corporation, or organization for whose premises a license is required pursuant to subarticle 1 of this article may knowingly allow the possession or consumption of alcoholic liquors upon the premises unless a valid license issued pursuant to Section 61-6-1820 has been obtained and is properly displayed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-350 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 4 / Article 3 / Section 61-4-350
SECTION 61-4-350. Seizure and sale of contraband beer or wine.
Status: in_force

Beer or wine shipped or moved into this State in violation of this chapter is contraband and may be seized and sold as provided in Section 61-6-4310.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-4110 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 13 / Section 61-6-4110
SECTION 61-6-4110. Distilling or manufacturing; violations.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for a person to knowingly permit or allow another person to have or possess or locate on his premises an apparatus for the distilling or manufacture of alcoholic liquors in violation of the laws of this State. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows: (a) for a first offense, by a fine of not less than six hundred dollars or imprisonment for six months; (b) for a second offense, by a fine of one thousand five hundred dollars or imprisonment for one year; and (c) for a third or subsequent offense, by a fine of three thousand dollars or imprisonment for two years.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-90 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 2 / Section 61-2-90
SECTION 61-2-90. Application for license or permit.
Status: in_force

A person desiring a license or permit under this title must file with the department an application in writing on forms provided by the department containing a statement under oath setting forth: (1) the name, address, date of birth, race, and nationality of the person applying for the license or permit; (2) the exact location where the business is proposed to be operated; (3) a description of the type of business to be operated; (4) whether the applicant or an owner of the business has been involved in the sale of alcoholic liquors, beer, or wine in this or another state and whether he has had a license or permit suspended or revoked; (5) whether the applicant has been a legal resident of this State for at least thirty days before the date of application, and has maintained his principal place of abode in the State for at least thirty days before the date of application; (6) other information required by the department to determine if the application meets all statutory requirements for the license or permit and to determine the true owners of the business seeking the license or permit.
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-2920 — SC Code / Title 61 / Chapter 6 / Article 7 / Section 61-6-2920
SECTION 61-6-2920. Invoices covering shipments out of State or to wholesaler.
Status: in_force

Before shipment to a wholesaler in this State or to any point outside the State, the producer representative must mail to the department a correct and complete copy of the invoice covering the shipment, listing the name and address of the consignee and, in detail, the items in the shipment by quantity, type, brand, size, and price. On all shipments to a point outside this State, the producer representative must at the time of shipment mail to the department a copy of the bill of lading.