Towns in Connecticut and New Hampshire have approved alcohol sales, increasing consumer access to direct wine shipments. Last fall voters in Bridgewater, the last dry town in Connecticut, repealed the ban on alcohol sales that had been in effect since the 1930’s. With the alcohol ban no longer an issue, licensed direct shippers can ship […]
Indiana Improves Direct-to-Consumer Law
On May 4, Governor Mike Pence signed legislation (SB 113) into law removing several impediments to direct wine shipping to Indiana consumers, including the existing requirement that all consumers must have made a one-time face-to-face visit to the winery prior to placing any subsequent orders. Instead, licensed direct shippers are allowed to use standard age […]
Wyoming and Arkansas Amend Direct-to-Consumer Laws
The Governor of Wyoming signed H47 into law on Feb. 25, 2015, doubling the amount of wine a licensed direct shipper can ship to any one address during a 12-month period from 18 liters (2 cases) to 36 liters (4 cases). The bill becomes effective on July 1, 2015. Prior to sending any direct shipment […]
South Dakota Governor Signs Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Bill into Law
Today, Governor Dennis Daugaard signed direct-to-consumer wine shipping legislation (HB 1001) into law making South Dakota the 43rd state (as well as the District of Columbia) to allow wineries to ship directly to consumers, which was previously prohibited by law. The legislation establishes a wine direct shipper license to be issued by South Dakota’s Department […]
Massachusetts Updates DTC Application
The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) has updated the Application For A Direct Wine Shipper License. Changes to the application consist of updates to Sections 1 (Applicant Information) and Section 7 (Existing Interests in Other Licenses), and the removal of Section 9 (Previously Held Interests in Other Licenses). Wineries that have not yet applied […]
New Tax Information for Illinois DTC Shippers
In the wake of recent litigation in Illinois accusing wineries of failing to pay the sales tax on shipping charges for wine being shipped directly to consumers in the state, we have updated the tax information on our website with the following information: The taxability of shipping charges in Illinois is not clear. However, there […]
FedEx to Begin Direct-to-Consumer Shipping to Massachusetts on Feb. 1, 2015
FedEx has informed Wine Institute that, effective Feb. 1, 2015, FedEx Express and FedEx Ground will open the state of Massachusetts for legal shipments of alcoholic beverages. •FedEx Ground and FedEx Express will both transport legal alcoholic beverage shipments into, out of and within the state of Massachusetts starting Feb. 1, 2015. •Please note, unauthorized […]
New MA Direct Shipping Application Available
The new Direct Wine Shipper License application and Direct Wine Shipper License Advisory for Massachusetts are now available on Wine Institute’s website: http://wineinstitute.shipcompliant.com/Home.aspx?SaleTypeID=1 (click on MA on map) and the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) website: http://www.mass.gov/abcc/. The new permit law replaces the existing unworkable direct shipping law in its entirety. Under the new […]
2015 Alcohol License Renewal
The Georgia Department of Revenue recently announced that existing licensees can now renew their alcohol license for 2015 via their Georgia Tax Center (GTC) account. Renewals must be completed online using the GTC before the end of the calendar year. Wineries renewing a Manufacturer of Wine, Farm Winery or Broker license are required to submit […]
New Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Requirements in Maine
Wineries licensed to ship to Maine consumers now have fewer reports to file each year. Maine recently amended its direct-to-consumer law to require that direct shippers file excise tax returns and shipment reports once a year. Unlike the quarterly reporting periods which were based on the calendar year, the annual reporting period corresponds to the […]
