The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce is applauding the Province for moving forward with two practical changes to BC’s liquor rules that will provide more flexibility for hospitality businesses, liquor retailers, and BC producers.

The two changes -- to allow licensee-to-licensee sales as well as direct delivery of ready-to-drink products --  reflect recommendations the Langley Chamber has advocated for through our broader policy work to modernize BC’s liquor industry.

Our policy work has been endorsed by Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade from across the province through the BC Chamber of Commerce policy process, demonstrating strong business community support for a more flexible, responsive, and competitive liquor system.

We thank the Province for listening to the business community and taking action to break down inefficient barriers that have limited flexibility for hospitality operators and local producers.

For restaurants, pubs, bars, private liquor retailers, and BC manufacturers, liquor policy directly affects product availability, customer experience, supply chain efficiency, local production, tourism, and the ability of businesses to respond to demand. These changes are a positive step in the right direction.

Licensee-to-Licensee Sales
The Province has launched a three-year trial allowing eligible hospitality licensees, including restaurants, bars, and pubs, to purchase liquor directly from private liquor retailers in addition to the usual BC Liquor Stores/BC Liquor Distribution system.

This gives hospitality businesses more flexibility when they need to restock quickly or source specialty products. For example, if a restaurant or pub runs out of a
product during a busy evening, major event, or high-demand period, it can now purchase from a nearby licensed liquor retailer rather than losing sales or disappointing customers.

The trial runs from May 29, 2026, to June 1, 2029. No application is required, and the change automatically applies to eligible licence classes. During the trial, there are no annual limits on sales or purchases between eligible licence classes, and those transactions will not count toward licence renewal fees.

Rules remain in place. Liquor cannot be sold below the wholesale price established by the Liquor Distribution Branch, and both the seller and purchaser must keep proper transaction records. Purchases must also be made directly by the licensee or their employee, not through a third-party delivery service.

This is a common-sense change that recognizes the operating realities of hospitality businesses, especially as BC welcomes major events such as the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

More Direct Delivery Options for BC Producers
The Province has also expanded the products that eligible BC liquor manufacturers can deliver directly to wholesale customers.

Direct delivery was already permitted for wine, craft spirits, cider, and beer. The new rules expand that flexibility to packaged refreshment beverages, including products such as coolers and hard seltzers.

This change will help strengthen BC’s liquor manufacturing sector, improve supply chain efficiency, and better align BC’s system with other jurisdictions. It gives eligible BC manufacturers more flexibility in how they get products to wholesale customers, while maintaining existing pricing structures, markups, and commissions.

Import refreshment beverages, wine, and spirits will continue to be distributed through the Liquor Distribution Branch. BC manufacturers may also choose to continue distributing packaged refreshment beverages through the LDB where applicable.

Practical Steps Forward
Together, these changes represent the kind of targeted regulatory modernization businesses need.

The Langley Chamber thanks the Province for acting on these issues and moving forward with reforms supported by the Chamber network.

Modernizing BC’s liquor system is about more than convenience. It is about supporting hospitality businesses, strengthening local producers, improving customer service, and ensuring BC’s regulatory environment keeps pace with the needs of a modern economy.