| The Challenge | What the Evidence Shows | What Needs to Change | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Liquor Sales | Alcohol can be purchased and delivered with limited oversight. | Online sales create new risks around age verification and enforcement. | Introduce national registration, stronger age checks and regulated delivery systems. |
Why this matters
Alcohol can now be ordered online and delivered directly to homes. While e-commerce offers convenience, it also creates new regulatory challenges around age verification, delivery practices and enforcement.
Without appropriate safeguards, online sales can increase access to alcohol for children and undermine existing public health protections.
Key Takeaways
📦 Online alcohol sales are growing rapidly
🆔 Age verification remains a major concern
🚚 Delivery systems create enforcement challenges
🌐 Current legislation was not designed for digital retail environments
What the Brief Examines
The brief reviews South Africa’s current legal framework, analyses legal disputes involving online alcohol sales and proposes a comprehensive regulatory framework for e-commerce liquor trading.
Policy Recommendations
National registration of online liquor retailers
Stronger age verification systems
Regulation of delivery hours
Sobriety and age checks at delivery
Restrictions on online marketing
