Blog

What Could Fuel the Drive for Expanded DtC Beer Shipping?

For craft beer lovers, expanded direct-to-consumer (DtC) beer shipping is at the top of their wish list, according to the third annual Direct to Consumer Beer Shipping Report. Released last month by Sovos ShipCompliant in partnership with the Brewers Association, the data showed that 88% of regular craft beer drinkers believe there should be greater […]

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Compliance Concerns for Non-Alcoholic Beer

It’s no secret that non-alcoholic beer is having a moment, and the segment is pointing to continued growth. First Key reports that dollar sales of non-alcohol (NA) beer, wine and spirits brands doubled between 2020 and 2022, with non-alcoholic beer accounting for over 80% of the market share of the category. What was once a […]

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Unique Tax Considerations for DtC Wine Shippers

Taxes are one of the primary compliance concerns for direct-to-consumer (DtC) shippers of wine, and one of the more complex ones. The 47 states, plus D.C., that permit DtC shipping of alcohol want to ensure there is parity between alcohol sold in-state and any coming from out-of-state sources. So, if a bottle of wine is […]

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Working Toward a Larger Kentucky DtC Spirits Channel – And Beyond

Kentucky just entered its third year of DtC alcohol shipping, opening doors for wineries, breweries and distilleries to expand their product reach. The change was especially welcomed by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA), which helped craft and guide the landmark DtC bill in 2020 that established these permissions. Founded in 1880, the KDA is the […]

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A Continued ‘Normalization’ in DtC Wine Shipping – What Does it Mean?

Sovos ShipCompliant’s recent 2023 Direct-to-Consumer (DtC) Wine Shipping Report, released with our partner Wines Vines Analytics, showed the first-ever decline in both value (-1.6%) and volume (-10.3%) of shipments. While these numbers are concerning, it’s important to look at the industry in its entirety and keep in mind the overall context of pandemic responses from […]

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How and Where Can I Legally Ship Spirits DtC?

While the first annual Direct-to-Consumer (DtC) Spirits Shipping Report, presented by Sovos ShipCompliant and the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), found that 80% of regular craft spirits drinkers would purchase spirits for DtC shipping monthly if permitted in their state, it’s not necessarily as apparent to producers how they can legally ship spirits DtC. We’ve […]

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Is Expanded DtC Beer, Wine & Spirits Shipping on the Way?

Craft beer drinkers want expanded direct-to-consumer (DtC) beer shipping options, and if recent pieces of legislation are any indication, they may soon start to get that wish. Currently, several states have introduced bills that could expand the DtC alcohol shipping landscape for breweries and wineries alike. Expanded DtC beer, wine & spirits shipping – by […]

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Key Findings from the 2023 Direct-to-Consumer Beer Shipping Report

Craft beer drinkers want their beer shipped DtC—legally—and they are willing to pay for it. Those are among the conclusions of the third annual Direct-to-Consumer (DtC) Beer Shipping Report, released this March by Sovos ShipCompliant in partnership with the Brewers Association. The report includes a regulatory review of the DtC beer shipping channel, the latest […]

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The Next Era of DtC Wine Shipping Starts Now

By Andrew Adams, Editor, Wine Analytics Report The winery market has entered the next era of DtC wine shipping, where we saw total shipments for the past year declined 1.6% by value and 10.3% by volume. While the declines are unprecedented in the more than 12 years Wines Vines Analytics and Sovos ShipCompliant have tracked […]

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Industry Reflections on the 2023 Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report

In the month following the release of the 2023 Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report, several other data snapshots of the wine industry were also published. In response to the various reports, there has been a swell of commentary on what each one signals for the health of and outlook for the U.S. wine industry. It can […]

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DtC Spirits Shipping Continues to be Beverage Alcohol Industry Priority

Sovos ShipCompliant attended the recent American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) Convention. Celebrating its 10th year, ACSA once again brought together “distillers and suppliers to harness the energy of the industry.” Direct-to-consumer (DtC) alcohol shipping was a recurring theme at the convention, with multiple panels discussing what changes must take place to increase DtC spirits shipping […]

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How to Manage Alcohol Market Innovation and Avoid Sales to Minors

If you ask a beverage alcohol regulator what their biggest concern is, nine times out of ten, you’ll hear about efforts to prevent sales to minors. The health risks associated with alcohol, particularly for developing brains, validate those concerns, but there is something of a reflexive response around underage consumption—a response grounded more in fear […]

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Recent Illinois, Texas Bills Would Extend DtC Shipping Permissions

A recently introduced Texas senate bill (TX SB752) would extend direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping permissions in the Lone Star state for both spirits and beer. These permissions would work largely in the same manner as DtC wine shipping in the state. Specifically, TX SB752 would enable licensed Texas-based producers of beer and spirits to conduct in-state […]

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Spirits New Product Registrations End Q4 Strong with 9.8% Growth

Across all categories, the number of 2022 registrations showed a 2.3% increase compared to 2021  Winter brings cooler temperatures across the U.S., but beverage alcohol new product registrations are hardly cooling off. Spirits new product registrations led the way (+9.8%), followed by wine (+0.5). The beer/malt category for Product Registration Online (PRO) new product registrations* […]

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Is Direct-to-Consumer Spirits and Cider Shipping on the Horizon for New York?

Updated February 3, 2023 There’s a chance New York may soon allow direct-to-consumer spirits and cider shipping. Last Wednesday, New York Senators James Skoufis (D- 42nd District) and Rachel May (D-48th District) introduced Bill 2852, an act to “amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to authorizing the direct intrastate and interstate shipment of […]

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Trade Practice Reform and the TTB

Just about a year ago, the Treasury Department published a report on competition in the beverage alcohol industry, which posited several ways to reform federal and state regulations to help create a more even playing field for smaller producers. Among the many ideas proffered, changing how the Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) approaches and policies […]

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Top Takeaways: 2023 Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report

Sovos ShipCompliant recently released the 2023 Direct-to-Consumer (DtC) Wine Shipping Report with our partner, Wines Vines Analytics. This look-back at 2022 is the most comprehensive, complete and exclusive collection of data and insights on the state of the channel. While 2022 saw the first-ever decline in either—let alone both—value and volume of shipments, the DtC […]

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Supreme Court Denies Cert on Retailer DtC Shipping – What Does That Mean?

On Monday, January 9, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a petition to hear an appeal of B-21 v. Bauer, a case revolving around the issue of interstate direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping by alcohol retailers. B-21 stemmed from a challenge to a North Carolina law that allows in-state retailers to ship wine through third-party carriers to North […]

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