The application form for a Louisiana Direct Wine Shipper permit and instructions for how to apply for a direct wine shipper permit are now available on the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) and Wine Institute websites. Pursuant to Act 637 (effective July 1, 2016) of the 2016 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, La R.S. 26:359 was amended to require that prior to making direct wine shipments to consumers in Louisiana, a winery obtain an annual permit from ATC.
The new legislation also clarifies that only brand labels that have been properly registered with ATC may be shipped to consumers and that a winery that has a contract to sell to a LA wholesaler is permitted to make on-site and off-site direct sales of any labels not sold through a wholesaler to Louisiana consumers.
The new permit replaces the ATC direct shipper registration process. Wineries have until July 31, 2016 to submit the new permit application and pay the $250 fee to ATC. However, this deadline is extended until August 31, 2016 for wineries that registered with ATC as direct wine shippers under the old law.
Note that the reporting and payment periods for sales and excise taxes for direct wine shippers are changed from quarterly to monthly effective July 1, 2016. Any activity occurring the month of July 2016 must be reported by August 20, 2016.
More information about the licensure and reporting requirements are available on the Louisiana page of the Wine Institute website.
