FedEx has informed Wine Institute that, effective Sept. 15, 2015, FedEx Ground and FedEx Express will once again transport legal alcohol beverage shipments into, out of and within the state of North Dakota. • Per FedEx policy, all alcohol beverage shipments may only be tendered by licensed entities that have executed a FedEx Alcohol Shipping […]
Proposed Regulations Offer Guidance on IL Shipping Charges, May Help Resolve False Claims Act Legal Cases
SAN FRANCISCO — The Illinois Department of Revenue (DOR) has just issued proposed regulations to clarify its position on the issue of charging sales taxes on shipping charges on direct-to-consumer wine shipments into that state. Wine Institute and several member wineries recently filed a lawsuit to fight the spate of false claims act lawsuits targeting […]
New Online Label Registration Available in Louisiana
The Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) last week announced the procedures for registering labels under its new online system. (ATC is now responsible for all label registrations for member wineries—which no longer need to register labels with the Department of Health.) Louisiana is utilizing the Product Registration Online (PRO) system already in use in […]
Wine Institute and Member Wineries File Suit to Stop Illinois False Claims Act Lawsuits
SAN FRANCISCO — Wine Institute, and three of our member wineries (Chimney Rock Winery, the Miner Family Winery, and Staglin Family Vineyard), have filed suit in Illinois to fight the spate of “Illinois False Claims Act” (IFCA) lawsuits that have been filed against wineries selling directly to consumers in that state. Brought by a private […]
Legislative Update in Alabama & Louisiana
The Alabama legislature has now adjourned. Wine Institute successfully opposed efforts by wholesalers to pass monopoly protection (franchise) laws in both Tuscaloosa and Lee Counties. Also, bills that would have imposed local sales taxes on sales of wine and spirits in Talladega and Shelby Counties were defeated. Local option laws in Alabama are traditionally hard […]
New Label Approval Process and Direct Shipping Requirements in Louisiana
On July 1, 2015 Governor Bobby Jindal signed legislation (H 331) into law moving the alcohol beverage label approval process from the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals (DHH) to the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC). He also signed S 235, which establishes new requirements for licensed direct shippers and common carriers. H […]
IN DTC Application Form Available
The updated Direct Wine Seller’s Permit Application for Indiana is now available on the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) website. To qualify for a Direct Wine Seller permit the applicant must not have distributed wine through a wine wholesaler in IN within the 120 days preceding their initial application or the applicant must be […]
Iowa Transitions from Monthly to Semiannual DTC Reporting Schedule
Legislation HB 638 transitioning Iowa from a monthly reporting state to a semiannual reporting state became effective on July 1, 2015. The semiannual reporting periods are based on the calendar year. Direct-to-consumer licensees are required to pay the amount of excise tax due and make a report of total gallons of wine sold and shipped […]
New Jersey Introduces Online Licensing System
On June 4, the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control launched their new electronic licensing system, POSSE ABC. The POSSE system manages all types of licenses and permits, including those governing the manufacturing activities of Wine Institute members, namely wholesaler, solicitor, marketing agent and out-of-state winery licenses and permits. All current licensees will be […]
Streamlined DTC Reporting Schedules Coming in Iowa and Maryland
Legislation that will reduce the number of reports and tax filings for DTC shippers has been signed by the Governors of Iowa and Maryland. On July 1, 2015, Iowa will transition from a monthly reporting state to a semi-annual reporting state. In the future, wine DTC licensees in Iowa will be required to make their […]
