Guideline for retail sales of alcoholic beverages
The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) has compiled the main provisions concerning the retail sale of alcoholic beverages and their interpretation policy into a guideline for retail sales of alcoholic beverages. You will find the guideline at the end of this page.
A holder of an alcohol retail trade licence must comply with the Alcohol Act in their business. Staff involved in the sales operations must also be familiar with the regulations on the sale of alcoholic beverages. The guideline for retail sales of alcoholic beverages offers a comprehensive overview of the legislation concerning the retail sale of alcohol and interpretations of the authorities. In addition to the Regional State Administrative Agencies, the guideline is intended for companies and employees in the industry.
The purpose of the guideline is to guide the Regional State Administrative Agencies in the application of the Alcohol Act, as well as to promote the achievement of the general objectives of the Alcohol Act and the reduction of alcohol-related harm.
What does the retail sale guideline include?
The guideline for retail sales of alcoholic beverages is divided into the following parts:
- Retail sales of alcoholic beverages
- Marketing of alcoholic beverages in retail sales
- Supervision and sanctions
- Applying for a retail trade licence
It is important that the staff at a retail premises pays particular attention to Chapters 1–3. Chapter 4 is meant for applicants and retail trade licence holders.
Frequently asked questions about the retail sale
The retail sale of alcoholic beverages refers to the selling of alcoholic beverages to customers in such a way that the customers take the beverages with them and consume them away from the seller’s premises, i.e. not under the supervision of the seller.
The Regional State Administrative Agencies grant retail trade licences for the sales of beverages with a maximum alcohol content of 5.5%. The place of sale can be either a grocery store, a mobile shop (car or boat), licensed premises or a store in connection with a place of manufacture. The Regional State Administrative Agencies may also grant a retail trade licence for selling farm wines (up to 13%) or craft beers (up to 12%) in connection with production premises. If beverages containing at most 2.8% of alcohol are sold at a point of sale, a retail trade licence is not required. According to the main rule of the Alcohol Act, Alko has the exclusive right to sell alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 5.5% to retail customers in Finland.
Retail sale premises are only allowed to sell alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 2.8% between 9 am and 9 pm. A retailer may also choose to have a shorter sales period. Customers do not have the right to demand that alcoholic beverages are sold contrary to the practices defined by the place of sale.
If the store is still open after 9 pm, the possibility to buy alcoholic beverages can be prevented from 9 pm onwards. The sale of alcoholic beverages must be refused if it cannot be established with certainty that the customer took possession of the alcoholic beverages before 9 pm. Any alcoholic beverages that the customer took into their possession before 9 pm can be paid at the checkout after 9 pm.