Shipping alcohol can get you in some serious trouble according to some state laws. In fact, it can even result in a felony conviction in the states with some of the harshest alcohol shipping laws. Other state laws are not quite as strict, but they still prohibit the shipment of alcohol without a proper license.
Is it legal to ship alcohol?
However, the rules for shipping alcohol are strict and the alcohol shipping laws by state vary significantly. Is it legal to ship alcohol? It is technically legal to ship alcohol in the United States. However, that does not mean that it is easy.
Will USPS Deny my shipment for alcohol?
Heads up: USPS will deny your shipment if your package has any labeling or branding that shows it MIGHT carry alcohol! If you’re asking yourself why this matters, keep in mind that lots of people like to reuse old packaging for new shipments.
What are the laws for shipping alcohol in Delaware?
Delaware requires that shipments must be delivered to a wholesaler, then delivered to consumer by a retail license. Mississippi provides that a consumer may purchase at winery and have the shipment sent to in-state package retailer. Rhode Island requires that the consumer must be present at purchase to ship the alcohol to the consumer.
Which states do not allow shipping of alcohol?
How to ship alcoholic beverages?
What is wine shipping?
Which states have strict shipping laws?
Can you ship alcohol to a friend?
Can you ship whiskey?
Can you ship alcohol in glass bottles?
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What happens if you get caught shipping alcohol?
That being said, it is important to know that there are consequences if you are caught and that shipping alcohol is at your own risk. Typically, you'll get a written warning on an initial violation. Subsequent violations could lead to fines and or, gulp, jail time, so be mindful and be smart.
Can you get in trouble for shipping alcohol USPS?
The United States Postal Service (USPS) prohibits sending alcoholic beverages through the mail, but you can ship alcohol via couriers, such as FedEx or UPS if you're a licensed alcohol shipper.
Is shipping beer a crime?
It is illegal to ship any alcohol through the US Postal service, period. FedEx and UPS require you to posses licenses to direct ship alcohol, and sign a contract. Individuals are not permitted to ship alcohol through FedEx and UPS. It is not illegal to ship alcohol through FedEx and UPS, just against their policy.
What happens if you ship alcohol via USPS?
USPS prohibits all shipments of beer, spirits, and wine both domestically and internationally. USPS also has strict laws on the packaging for shipments that previously carried alcohol. If a package has any labels or branding of an alcohol company, USPS will not process the shipment and reject it.
Will USPS know if I ship alcohol?
Will Usps Know If I Ship Alcohol? The US Postal Service judges packages by their labels USPS will deny your shipment if you include any label or branding that indicates alcohol could be in the package.
Does USPS have xray packages?
Is Mail X-Rayed? Some of the mail that is sent through the United States Postal Service will pass through an X-Ray machine. There are no specific guidelines as to what may or may not be x-rayed, though mail sent to or through larger cities is likely to pass through an X-Ray machine.
Can I send alcohol in the mail?
Alcohol can be shipped as land freight. However, depending on the destination, it may be possible to ship alcohol as air freight. Please note that if the alcohol is not professionally packed or packed using our packing materials, we are not able to ship your parcel.
How can I ship liquor as a gift?
To safely ship alcoholic beverages, you should use strong cardboard boxes that have trays inside of them that provide sections for each bottle. This will keep the bottles separate and prevent them from smashing into one another. You can also wrap the bottles in bubble wrap for additional safety.
Can I ship alcohol FedEx?
As an individual, you may not ship alcohol, including wine, beer, liquor, or champagne, through the FedEx network. If you'd like to send alcohol as a gift to a friend or family member, you'll need to have it shipped from the licensed retailer or winery you purchased it from.
Can I mail someone a bottle of whiskey?
While the United States Postal Service (USPS) prohibits the mailing of alcoholic beverages, you can ship alcohol using courier services, such as FedEx or UPS, if you have a license to ship alcoholic beverages.
Will UPS deliver alcohol without a signature?
All wine shipments must be made using the UPS Delivery Confirmation Adult Signature Required service, requiring the signature of an adult 21 years of age or older upon delivery.
Does the USPS scan packages?
The Postal Service's goal is to scan all barcoded mailpieces (flats, letters, and packages) that enter the mailstream and track those items with additional scans up to the point of delivery. Scanning accuracy is critically important to the success of real-time visibility.
Which states do not allow shipping of alcohol?
If you have been wondering which states you can ship alcohol to here is a list of states that do not allow alcohol shipping to residents. Massachusetts. Pennsylvania. Texas. Utah.
How to ship alcoholic beverages?
To safely ship alcoholic beverages, you should use strong cardboard boxes that have trays inside of them that provide sections for each bottle. This will keep the bottles separate and prevent them from smashing into one another. You can also wrap the bottles in bubble wrap for additional safety.
What is wine shipping?
Wine shipping is something that many companies desperately want to do. This is especially true for wineries and vineyards who produce large quantities of wine. If you have been trying to figure out how to ship a bottle of wine, or a large quantity of it, then the very first thing that you need to do is to obtain a license to ship it.
Which states have strict shipping laws?
Some states have extremely strict alcohol shipping laws. The three most strict are Utah, Mississippi, and Kentucky. In Utah, for example, it is a felony to ship alcohol directly to consumers. Alaska, Florida, and Minnesota are three of the least strict states in terms of alcohol shipping laws.
Can you ship alcohol to a friend?
How to Ship Alcohol to a Friend. Alcoholic beverages are beloved by people all across America. However, despite alcohol’s impressive popularity, it can be a challenge to ship. This is because there are several shipping and delivery laws which dictate how alcohol can be moved across the country.
Can you ship whiskey?
Shipping whiskey is no different than shipping wine or liquor. You will need a license, a special contract with UPS or FedEx, and you will only be able to ship it to people in states where it is legal to ship it to. If you are shipping to a retailer, you may be required to pay some taxes or duties on it as well.
Can you ship alcohol in glass bottles?
For this reason, you need to be especially careful when you are shipping glass wine bottles, beer bottles, or liquor bottles, or shipping liquids in other delicate containers.
How many states allow liquor to be shipped?
While 44 states do allow alcohol producers to ship direct to consumers, most of these laws are written to address out-of-state wineries and craft brewers. When shipping liquor, many producers are still sticking with a “don’t ask, don’t tell approach,” which is, for the most part, successful in the liquor industry.
What happens if you don't take into account the laws in all the states you ship to and from?
If you don’t take into account laws in ALL the states you ship to and from, you can easily run into fines, have your freights impounded, or even face felony charges. That’s why it’s important to choose a freight company you can trust to help you navigate shipping alcohol across state lines.
How to ship wine?
Additional considerations when shipping wine include: 1 Temperature: Wine should be shipped at temperatures between 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent corks from drying out, which can lead to accelerated oxidation. 2 Humidity: Similarly, corks are best when kept in an environment with 70% humidity. If the air in your freight truck is too dry, the corks can dry out. 3 Light: Wine bottles should be kept away from light, which can accelerate oxidation of the vintage. 4 Vibrations: You can’t eliminate all vibrations while trucking wine across state lines, but your shipping partner should try to minimize vibrations, which can damage fragile wine bottles and disturb the sediment in wine. Pallets and crates carrying wine should contain cushioning to help absorb vibrations, and should be placed near the center of the freight to minimize disturbances.
What temperature should wine be shipped at?
Temperature: Wine should be shipped at temperatures between 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent corks from drying out, which can lead to accelerated oxidation. Humidity: Similarly, corks are best when kept in an environment with 70% humidity. If the air in your freight truck is too dry, the corks can dry out.
Can you ship beer in a can?
Whether you’re shipping craft beer, wine, liquor or alcoholic beverages like hard lemonade, hard cider, or margaritas in a can, alcohol shipping is a highly regulated procedure that you need to be careful with.
Can you ship beer out of state?
Because breweries exist in all 50 states, beer shipping laws by state are more varied than the rules surrounding wine. While some states do allow shipments from out-of-state, others only allow intrastate shipping from brewe ries within state borders.
Can you ship alcohol outside of state borders?
Some states don’t allow any direct to consumer alcohol shipping. Others won’t allow shipments outside state borders. And even if you do have permission to send alcohol to a state, there are regulations on how it can be transported, where it can be driven and even who can drive it.
What happens if a direct shipper is found guilty of violating the alcoholic liquor control act?
If a direct shipper is found guilty of violating this act or a rule promulgated by the commission, the commission shall notify both the alcoholic liquor control agency in the direct shipper's state of domicile and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the U.S. Department of Treasury of the violation.
Which states do not allow direct shipments of alcohol?
Out of the 54 states, territories and commonwealths, Alabama specifically prohibits the direct shipment of alcoholic beverages to consumers. Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not have statutes that specify that direct shipments are allowed.
How much is the penalty for a first offense of subsection 1 or 2?
For a first violation of subsection 1 or 2, the tax commissioner shall notify, by certified mail, the person and order that person to cease and desist any shipment of alcoholic beverages in violation of subsection 1 or 2 and shall assess a civil penalty of $100 for each illegal shipment.
How many states allow direct shipment of beer?
Six states—Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Rhode Island—and the District of Columbia authorize the direct shipment of all spirits as specified. Eight states allow the direct shipment of beer and wine as specified: Delaware, Massachusetts, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Virginia.
Can a direct shipment license be refused?
The director may refuse to issue a direct shipment license for good cause . The director may not issue a direct shipment license to any person who: 1. Has had a direct shipment license or any other license to deal in spirituous liquor revoked in this state or any other state within one year preceding the application. 2.
Can you ship wine out of state?
The majority of states have statutory provisions that allow for out-of-state manufacturers to ship alcoholic beverages directly to consumers. The majority of states restrict the direct shipments to wine. Out of the 54 states, territories and commonwealths, Alabama specifically prohibits the direct shipment of alcoholic beverages to consumers.
Can you ship alcohol directly to consumers?
Direct Shipment of Alcohol State Statutes. The majority of states have statutory provisions that allow for out-of-state manufacturers to ship alcoholic beverages directly to consumers. The majority of states restrict the direct shipments to wine.
What is nonmailable liquor?
18 U.S.C. § 1716#N#Injurious articles as nonmailable#N#....#N#(f) All spirituous, vinous, malted, fermented, or other intoxicating liquors of any kind are nonmailable and shall not be deposited in or carried through the mails.#N#....#N#(j) (1) Whoever knowingly deposits for mailing or delivery, or knowingly causes to be delivered by mail, according to the direction thereon, or at any place at which it is directed to be delivered by the person to whom it is addressed, anything declared nonmailable by this section, unless in accordance with the rules and regulations authorized to be prescribed by the Postal Service, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.#N#....
Why won't common carriers ship?
Even among licensed shippers, there's places the common carriers won't ship because they're liability is huge due to the intricacies of the laws involved, if technically not illegal. Laws like "you have to verify the ID of the recipient". In numerous places, its a felony.
Do you need an alcohol license to ship to a residential address?
If you read the fine print, they will ship straight to your residential address, no alcohol license required; however, there does have to be an adult (21+) to sign for it with proof of age. Not sure what delivery service they use though.
Can you ship alcohol in the 21st amendment?
Due to the pesky 21st amendment, states can actually regulate interstate commerce when it comes to alcohol. So most states have some prohibition against shipping unless you're licensed (i.e. so they can get their tax cut). There may be some combinations where its allowed. Also, the rules are typically different for wine vs spirits vs beer.
Is a license required for homebrew in Maryland?
And for homebrew Maryland law repeats the words "home consumption" IE: Maryland statute Article 2B, §1 provides that a license or permit is not required for the manufacture of family beer exclusively for home consumption, competition, or use in a licensed national family wine exhibition and not for sale ..
Does FedEx ship beer?
Licensee to Licensee. FedEx will accept alcohol shipments (beer, wine and spirits) when both the shipper and recipient are either licensed wholesalers, licensed dealers, licensed distributors, licensed manufacturers or licensed importers, subject to additional requirements and all applicable laws and regulations.
What shipping companies accept alcohol?
There are four major shipping companies that are most commonly used by sellers shipping alcohol: UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL. All carriers that accept alcohol shipments will have a few things in common. First and foremost, you must indicate that the shipment contains alcohol, as a surcharge will be added to the delivery.
How old do you have to be to ship spirits?
All shipments must meet UPS packaging requirements for spirits. Must provide the signature of an adult 21 years of age or older upon delivery for confirmation. All packages must contain a special alcoholic beverages shipping label for domestic shipments.
What is DHL shipping?
DHL is a shipping service that specializes in international shipments. The requirements for shipping alcohol through DHL will include: Must sign DHL’s Agreement to Transport Alcoholic Beverages. Shipment must adhere to all FDA and TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) guidelines and regulations.
How to protect wine bottles?
Make sure to protect bottles with padding and void-filling materials such as bubble wrap and cardboard dividers. Know the Product: Take note of how specific wines need to be stored, as some bottles need to be stored standing up while other blends may need to be placed on their side.
Can beer be shipped in glass bottles?
Bottles: Choosing to ship beer in glass bottles is a risky shipment decision that could lead to product leaking away throughout transit. This is the least preferable suggestion for shipping, especially long distance, but can be done with enough caution.
Does UPS ship alcohol?
UPS. While UPS still doesn’t offer direct delivery to consumers, they are able to ship alcohol among sellers fairly simply with the proper permits. UPS’ alcohol shipping requirements entail that the seller: Must enter the UPS Approved Spirit Shippers Agreement.
Can you ship alcohol out of state?
However, many states don’t allow out-of-state retail sales of alcohol at all , and some have restrictions on direct-to-consumer sales.
Why won't the USPS ship alcohol?
Why USPS Won’t Allow You to Ship Alcohol. Believe it or not, USPS doesn’t allow for the shipment of alcohol because of laws enacted by Prohibition back in the 1920’s! Seriously. However, that’s not to say USPS will always prohibit the shipment of alcohol going forward.
Do you need a shipping label for UPS?
You can grab these directly from UPS, and your account executive will be able to provide you with one. You’ll need to your shipping label with a UPS Compatible Shipping Solution like WorldShip.
Can you ship beer and wine with USPS?
That means pretty much every alcoholic beverage out there, including shipping beer and wine, is a no-go with USPS.
Does UPS ship beer?
UPS accepts shipments of beer or alcohol only among and between selected states. The ability to ship wine depends upon the nature of the shipper’s license to sell wine, and the laws of the destination states. UPS has specific packing requirements for shipping alcohol.
Which states do not allow shipping of alcohol?
If you have been wondering which states you can ship alcohol to here is a list of states that do not allow alcohol shipping to residents. Massachusetts. Pennsylvania. Texas. Utah.
How to ship alcoholic beverages?
To safely ship alcoholic beverages, you should use strong cardboard boxes that have trays inside of them that provide sections for each bottle. This will keep the bottles separate and prevent them from smashing into one another. You can also wrap the bottles in bubble wrap for additional safety.
What is wine shipping?
Wine shipping is something that many companies desperately want to do. This is especially true for wineries and vineyards who produce large quantities of wine. If you have been trying to figure out how to ship a bottle of wine, or a large quantity of it, then the very first thing that you need to do is to obtain a license to ship it.
Which states have strict shipping laws?
Some states have extremely strict alcohol shipping laws. The three most strict are Utah, Mississippi, and Kentucky. In Utah, for example, it is a felony to ship alcohol directly to consumers. Alaska, Florida, and Minnesota are three of the least strict states in terms of alcohol shipping laws.
Can you ship alcohol to a friend?
How to Ship Alcohol to a Friend. Alcoholic beverages are beloved by people all across America. However, despite alcohol’s impressive popularity, it can be a challenge to ship. This is because there are several shipping and delivery laws which dictate how alcohol can be moved across the country.
Can you ship whiskey?
Shipping whiskey is no different than shipping wine or liquor. You will need a license, a special contract with UPS or FedEx, and you will only be able to ship it to people in states where it is legal to ship it to. If you are shipping to a retailer, you may be required to pay some taxes or duties on it as well.
Can you ship alcohol in glass bottles?
For this reason, you need to be especially careful when you are shipping glass wine bottles, beer bottles, or liquor bottles, or shipping liquids in other delicate containers.