Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bonds

Businesses involved in the manufacture, distribution, importation, or sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in Florida must comply with strict regulatory licensing and tax payment requirements. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco requires certain license applicants and active license holders to obtain a Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bond as a condition of operating legally within the state.

This comprehensive compliance guide explains who must obtain the bond, statutory requirements, bond amounts, underwriting guidelines, and how businesses can quickly secure the bond through A1SuretyBonds.com.

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What Is the Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bond

The Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bond is a license compliance bond required by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The bond guarantees that alcohol and tobacco businesses properly report and pay state excise taxes and comply with Florida beverage and tobacco statutes.

The bond is a legally binding three-party agreement that includes:

  • Principal: The licensed alcohol or tobacco business required to obtain the bond

  • Obligee: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco

  • Surety: The surety company issuing the bond and guaranteeing compliance

This bond ensures that businesses properly report and pay alcohol and tobacco excise taxes owed to the State of Florida. If a licensed business fails to remit taxes, violates licensing laws, or fails to meet statutory compliance obligations, the state may file a claim against the bond to recover unpaid tax revenue and regulatory penalties.

Who Needs the Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bond

Alcohol manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, and certain licensed vendors in Florida must obtain the Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bond if they are responsible for collecting or remitting alcohol or tobacco excise taxes. License classifications that typically require the bond include:

Alcohol Industry License Holders

  • Manufacturers, distillers, rectifiers, or blenders of distilled spirits

  • Brewers or manufacturers of malt beverages

  • Wine manufacturers

  • Alcohol importers and exporters

  • Alcohol distributors and wholesalers

  • Vendors authorized to sell alcoholic beverages

  • Commercial bottle clubs

  • Wine and spirits brokers or sales agents

  • Bonded alcohol warehouses

Tobacco Industry License Holders

  • Cigarette manufacturers, importers, and exporters

  • Cigarette distributing agents

  • Cigarette stamping distributors

  • Tobacco products distributors

  • Wholesale tobacco dealers

  • Manufacturers or fabricators of tobacco products operating within Florida

Businesses applying for licensure or maintaining active licensing privileges must confirm their bonding requirement with the DBPR as part of the licensing approval process.

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Why This Bond Is Required

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are heavily regulated industries that generate substantial tax revenue for the State of Florida. The Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bond protects the state by ensuring businesses fulfill their financial and regulatory obligations.

The bond serves several regulatory purposes, including:

  • Guaranteeing payment of alcohol and tobacco excise taxes

  • Protecting state tax revenue from loss due to non-compliance

  • Ensuring license holders operate in accordance with state statutes

  • Providing financial recourse if businesses fail to meet licensing requirements

This bonding requirement allows Florida regulators to grant certain license privileges, including deferred tax payment authority, while minimizing financial risk to the state.

Statutory and Regulatory Authority

The Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bond is authorized under several chapters of Florida statutory law governing beverage and tobacco regulation, including:

These statutes grant the DBPR authority to require license applicants to obtain surety bonds based on tax liability exposure, licensing classification, and compliance risk factors.

Businesses can review regulatory licensing requirements directly through the Florida DBPR Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and the Florida Legislature statutory database.

Bond Amount Requirements and their average annual costs.

Florida bond amounts vary based on license type, product category, and estimated monthly tax liability. The DBPR determines bond requirements based on operational risk exposure and statutory guidelines.

Alcohol License Bond Requirements 

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License TypeRequired Bond AmountBase premium for approved accounts
Brewer$20,000$240 per year
Beer and/or Wine Distributor (JDBW)$25,000$300 per year
Liquor, Beer, and Wine Distributor (KLD)$100,000$685 - $1000 per year
Alcohol ManufacturerBased on monthly tax liabilityBased on monthly tax liability
Bonded WarehouseBased on monthly tax liabilityBased on monthly tax liability

Tobacco License Bond Requirements 

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License TypeRequired Bond AmountBase premium for approved accounts
Cigarette Tax Paid Distributor$2,000$100 per year
Cigarette Stamping Distributor – CashMinimum $2,000 based on liabilityMinimum $100 per year
Cigarette Stamping Distributor – Charge110% of monthly tax liability, minimum $2,000110% of monthly tax liability, minimum $100 per year
Cigarette Distributing Agent$10,000$120 per year
Cigarette ExporterMinimum $2,000 based on liabilityMinimum $100 per year
Tobacco Products DistributorMinimum $1,000 based on liabilityMinimum $100 per year

Instant Approval Availability

Through A1SuretyBonds.com:

  • Bonds up to $25,000 are typically instantly approved

  • Bonds above $25,000 require additional underwriting review

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Factors Affecting Bond Cost

Surety companies evaluate several underwriting factors including:

  • Personal and business credit history

  • Financial stability and liquidity

  • Industry experience

  • Licensing history and compliance record

  • Operational scale and tax exposure

Typical Premium Ranges

Most applicants pay between:

  • 1% to 5% of the total bond amount annually

Premiums may vary depending on underwriting risk and bond size.

Underwriting and Approval Process

Instant Approval Bonds (Up to $25,000)

Applicants requesting bonds within this range typically qualify for streamlined approval that may include:

  • Short online application

  • No additional documentation

  • No credit review for bonds $25,000 and under

  • Same-day bond issuance and express shipping available

Full Underwriting Bonds (Over $25,000)

Higher bond amounts require additional underwriting review, which may include:

  • Soft credit review on bonds in excess of $25,000

  • Signed indemnity agreement.

How to Secure the Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bond

Obtaining the bond through A1SuretyBonds.com is designed to align with Florida DBPR compliance requirements while minimizing licensing delays.

Step 1 – Complete the Online Application

Provide business licensing information and ownership details.

Step 2 – Underwriting Review

Applications are evaluated based on required bond amount, regulatory bond requirements and risk assessment.

Step 3 – Receive Approval and Premium Quote

Qualified applicants receive bond pricing and approval terms, typically the same day!

Step 4 – Bond Issuance

Upon payment, the bond is issued and sent to the applicant for them to sign and turn into the Florida DBPR.

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Consequences of Operating Without the Bond

Failure to obtain or maintain the required Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bond may result in serious regulatory penalties, including:

  • License denial or suspension

  • License revocation

  • Civil fines and penalties

  • Immediate tax collection enforcement

  • Legal enforcement actions by Florida regulators

  • Business closure or operational restrictions

Maintaining an active bond is required throughout the license term to remain compliant with Florida law.

Geographic Applicability

The Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bond applies to both:

In-State Businesses

Companies physically operating within Florida that manufacture, distribute, or sell regulated alcohol or tobacco products.

Out-of-State Businesses

Companies located outside Florida that import, distribute, or sell taxable alcohol or tobacco products into Florida while holding Florida licensing or tax reporting responsibilities.

Ongoing Compliance Responsibilities

Businesses maintaining this bond must:

  • Timely report alcohol and tobacco sales

  • Pay excise taxes when due

  • Maintain active licensing with DBPR

  • Cooperate with regulatory audits

  • Follow all applicable beverage and tobacco statutes

If a claim is paid by the surety, the bonded business is legally responsible for reimbursing the surety company.


Secure Your Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Tax Surety Bond

Businesses seeking Florida alcohol or tobacco licensing must maintain full regulatory compliance, including obtaining the required surety bond. A1SuretyBonds.com specializes in license and tax surety bonds and provides fast approval and compliance-focused underwriting.

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