Allowing Alcohol Sales via Smart Order Method... Sales Possible from the 3rd of Next Month

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] From now on, 'Smart Order' style liquor telecommunication sales will be permitted. Smart Order is a sales method where customers order and pay for products via mobile devices and pick them up directly at the store.

On the 9th, the National Tax Service (NTS) announced that, following various recommendations to reconsider liquor sales regulations due to changes in purchasing methods in goods and services sectors driven by IT technology advancements, it has decided to allow this method.

An NTS official explained, "We have continuously communicated with related government departments and the liquor industry to gather diverse opinions," adding, "Based on the resolution of the Active Administration Support Committee on the 4th, we decided to permit liquor sales using Smart Order."

With the allowance of liquor telecommunication sales via Smart Order, liquor retailers such as restaurants and convenience stores will be able to sell liquor to consumers using mobile phone apps starting from the 3rd of next month.

However, this is premised on consumers visiting the store to pick up their orders, and delivery sales of liquor remain strictly prohibited as before.

From the perspective of liquor retailers, the business environment is expected to improve through increased store management efficiency and expanded liquor product offerings. Consumers are also anticipated to benefit from reduced waiting and ordering times, minimized in-store stay, expanded liquor choices, and price reductions, according to the NTS.

An NTS official stated, "We will continue to rationally and proactively improve liquor-related regulations to meet taxpayers' expectations without compromising social values such as public health and youth protection."

Meanwhile, the NTS is supporting the prevention of COVID-19 spread by facilitating the supply of ethanol, a raw material for hand sanitizers, through proactive interpretation of supply procedures and methods in response to the surge in demand for hand sanitizers caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).