Governor Parkinson of Kansas signed SB 452 into law, changing the license term for a Special Order Shipping license from one year to two years. The legislation became effective on July 1, 2010. The fee for a new special order shipping license was adjusted to $150 to reflect the new two year license term. Current […]
Direct Shipping to Massachusetts Consumers
On 1/14/10 the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled in favor the plaintiff in the Massachusetts FWC v. Jenkins litigation. The ruling affirmed the lower court’s order that struck down the capacity caps and wholesaler exclusions which are included in the Massachusetts direct-to-consumer shipping statute and prevented over half of the wineries in […]
New Hampshire Improves Direct Shipping Law
Governor John Lynch signed HB 1352, An Act relative to direct shippers (Chapter 300) on July 13, 2010. The changes become effective on January 1, 2011. The new law: • Improves the quality of monthly reporting by requiring that only direct shipper licensees who ship wine or liquor in a given month file a report. […]
Hawaii Amends Due Date for Gallonage Tax
Effective July 1, 2010, the filing and payment due date for the Hawaii Gallonage Tax will change from the last day of the month to the 20th day of the month. Wineries shipping to consumers in Hawaii are required to file a “Combined Monthly Return of Liquor Tax and Report of Wine Gallons and Dollar […]
Iowa Direct Shipping Applications Available
On July 1, 2010 Iowa will officially transition from a reciprocal direct-to-consumer state to a permit state. The new permit law requires wineries to obtain an Iowa Wine Direct Shipper’s License and pay the annual $25 license fee before shipping to consumers in Iowa. There are no volume limits under the permit law; a significant […]
Do Not Ship Zip Codes in Tennessee
The Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission has made it easier for Direct Shippers to determine if a consumer lives in a wet or dry area of TN by listing the zip codes for dry areas. Tennessee law only allows wineries with an approved direct shipper’s license to ship wine to consumers in municipalities that allow off-premise […]
New Jersey’s New Tasting Law Effective May 1, 2010
New Jersey’s new law to permit tastings of beer and spirits in retail premises takes effect on May 1, 2010. It also makes changes to the existing law that allows for wine tastings. The legislation limits the size and amounts of samples within a 24 hour period; defines tasting event, sampling and sample; sets out […]
Massachusetts Direct Shipping Update
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley will not appeal a January Federal Appeals Court decision upholding an earlier District Court decision which overturned the 2005 direct shipping law. In January, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the 2008 district court ruling that found that the state law governing direct-to-consumer shipments by wineries was unconstitutional. […]
Virginia Passes Fix-It Bill for Third Party Shippers
Wine Institute Eastern Counsel Terri Beirne has been working since July 2009 with the Virginia ABC Board, and representatives of Wine America and the Virginia wineries to resolve problems created by VA ABC Circular Letter 09-05. That Circular prohibited Virginia direct wine shippers from using any third-party service providers, namely fulfillment or pick and pack […]
Florida Introduces Online System for Brand Registrations
It was announced by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Charlie Liem that beginning April 17th*, a new online instant processing system for brand registrations will be available on the Florida Alcohol Beverage & Tobacco (AB&T) website shortening wait times from 80 days to 2 minutes. The new software will pull federal […]
