Direct-to-consumer (DtC) alcohol shipping laws vary from state to state, and that fact holds true for importers looking to enter the DtC business. While importers can be treated similarly to other members of the “supplier” tier (e.g., wineries, breweries), they are often treated differently in federal and state regulations. Because of how DtC shipping laws […]
By Tom Wark, Executive Director, National Association of Wine Retailers The effort to open more states for interstate wine retailer-to-consumer shipments is multi-pronged. One prong—perhaps the most important—is the effort to overturn discriminatory state laws by using the federal courts to challenge state laws that violate the U.S. Constitution’s dormant commerce clause as well as the […]
Earlier this year, SB 307 was enacted in Nevada, effectively eliminating the right for Nevada residents to receive direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipments of beer and spirits from producers, or any alcoholic beverage from out-of-state retailers. Previously, Nevada DtC alcohol shipping permissions were among the most open, with the state allowing breweries, distilleries and retailers to sell […]
Direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping of alcohol requires producers, shippers and retailers to stay compliant with numerous rules and regulations. Tax determination and reporting is one of those key areas, and also presents a unique challenge to shippers. Regulations on DtC shipping require shippers to recognize and manage a tax burden that is much broader than if […]
As states have adopted new economic nexus laws over the last several years, vastly expanding whom states can make responsible for sales taxes obligations, direct-to-consumer (DtC) shippers of alcohol have had to adjust, though not as much as most remote sellers. Generally, DtC alcohol shippers are required to collect and remit sales taxes in the […]
DtC cider shipping can be complicated in that whether a state permits it often depends on how a state defines “cider.” Ciders are a general category of beverage alcohol products, made from fermented apples or pears, with a low to moderate alcohol content and often sold as an alternative to malt beverages. In terms of […]
A recent review by the state of Idaho Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) division’s legal team has conclusively determined that out-of-state retailers have no permission to ship any beverage alcohol products direct-to-consumer (DtC) in the state. This determination reverses previous interpretations of Idaho’s laws, which had been understood to permit such shipments As the DtC wine […]
Summer is winding down and the wine landscape continues to fluctuate in response to the pandemic. Staying mindful of marketplace data will ensure the industry can properly adjust to any ebbs and flows, helping wine producers, retailers and consumers alike. Nielsen is collaborating with Wines Vines Analytics and Sovos ShipCompliant to provide a much more […]
Understanding brand ownership and self-production requirements We’ve previously discussed how direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping of alcohol has numerous requirements and regulations for producers and retailers. Everything from getting licensed to brand label registration details to age verification protocols must be considered. But what happens when an alcohol producer (e.g., a winery, brewery, distillery or cidery) wants […]
A review of the passage of House Bill 1545, also known as the 2019 TABC Sunset Bill, has compelled the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to majorly revamp their alcohol license process and fees. The following changes are set to be effective September 1, 2021. What changes are occurring? Texas is moving from 75 to […]
Direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping continues to grow in popularity, something that has not gone unnoticed by retailers. While alcohol producers enjoy broad access to the DtC shipping market, there are nuanced alcohol retailer DtC shipping laws and regulatory rules for compliance. A key consideration for retailers looking to ship alcohol DtC is recognizing the states that […]
Brand label registration is an essential part of the process of selling alcohol. And while many suppliers are aware of these requirements for three-tier distribution, they can often overlook them when it comes to direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping. Alcohol labels, whether on a bottle, can or keg, have lots of information that is highly regulated, both […]
Wine and beer new product registrations also see positive growth in Q2 2021 The beverage alcohol industry continues to fluctuate as it accounts for varying consumer buying patterns, due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic. The second quarter of 2021 saw positive growth in new product registrations, with the spirit category leading the way. […]
Following the January release of our annual Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report in partnership with Wines Vines Analytics, consumers continue to make changes in how they get their wine. With the economy still working to rebound in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ecommerce sales have remained important. On-premise locations, including bars, restaurants and tasting rooms, […]
Most states have direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping laws, but you must follow the rules of the destination state when doing it. States can have varying requirements and limitations when it comes to licensing, product restrictions, dry communities or even volume limits for how much a given customer can receive. For example, Massachusetts restricts licensees from […]
Direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping has numerous rules and regulations that shippers must adhere to in order to stay compliant. Customer aggregate volume limits (CAVL) discern how much of a certain type of alcohol a single licensee can ship in a given period of time to select individuals within a state. CAVL can seem like a fairly […]
As we enter into the summer months, wine direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipments are still shifting in response to a tumultuous year. While the industry has largely righted itself, it remains essential to pay attention to marketplace data to keep pulse on that continued change. Nielsen is collaborating with Wines Vines Analytics and Sovos ShipCompliant to provide […]
By Milton Cornwell, COO, Copper Peak Logistics — a ShipCompliant Platinum Certified Partner Why should it matter if your direct-to-consumer (DtC) fulfillment partner has multiple shipping facilities? We at Copper Peak have found that the question of multiple shipping facilities is a very misunderstood concept in the wine fulfillment business, especially when it’s called many […]