What Are the DtC Liquor Shipping Laws by State?

Lizzy Connolly
July 14, 2021

This blog was last updated on November 19, 2024

Last updated: November 19, 2024

When it comes to direct-to-consumer (DtC) liquor shipping laws by state, distilleries and other spirits producers must adhere to shipping laws of the destination state. It is also important to remember that just because a state allows DtC beer shipping or DtC wine shipping, it does not necessarily mean that it allows DtC liquor shipping.

For example, Ohio allows DtC beer shipping but DtC liquor shipping is currently illegal. A distillery might see that DtC beer or DtC wine shipping is allowed into a particular state, but that is not a guarantee that the same state will allow for DtC-shipped liquor.

Distilleries and spirit producers must also stay current on all federal and state laws, as they can change over time. In April 2020, Kentucky passed a statute enabling the DtC shipping of spirits. Then in 2021, Kentucky passed a bill removing a previous provision prohibiting DtC alcohol shippers from using third-party fulfillment houses to help with their shipping logistics needs.

We have outlined the basics of DtC liquor shipping and key rules that shippers must adhere to in order to stay compliant.

Where can spirit producers ship?

As of November 2024, nine states and the District of Columbia allow DtC liquor shipping.

  • Alaska
  • Arizona (only distilleries producing less than 20,000 gallons per year)
  • District of Columbia
  • Kentucky
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New York
  • North Dakota
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont (RTD cocktails only)

It’s also universally required that any packages being shipped have a label clearly identifying that the box contains alcohol and that the signature of a person aged 21 years or older is required for delivery.

How does DtC liquor shipping work?

Similar to DtC beer shipping and DtC wine shipping, distilleries and spirit producers must adhere to the state-specific requirements when it comes to shipping DtC. Some of these requirements might vary from state-to-state, but shippers should ensure that they are aware of the following rules:

  • Be licensed by the destination state
  • Use approved carriers who will check IDs and collect signatures
  • Verify age of purchaser and recipient
  • Label boxes with notice of alcohol contents
  • Abide by per person volume limits
  • Agree to remit all applicable sales and excise taxes to the destination state
  • File regular reports detailing all their shipments
  • Only ship brand/labels that are produced or owned by the shipper

Remember that while these rules and regulations are commonly applied, they are not always in effect in every state that permits DtC shipping of spirits. They can also be applied with varying levels of strictness. When you are looking to ship in a new state, consult with experts who can properly interpret how the rules apply to your individual circumstances. Specifically, your compliance team, legal counsel or another distillery could help you determine your next steps in DtC spirits shipping.

Take Action

Download our eBook, DtC Alcohol Shipping Essentials: Getting Started & Staying Compliant, for a comprehensive guide to understanding and navigating liquor shipping laws.

Sign up for Email Updates

Stay up to date with the latest tax and compliance updates that may impact your business.

Author

Lizzy Connolly

Share this post

dtc spirits new york
North America ShipCompliant
February 14, 2025
A New Era for DtC Spirits Shipping: How New York’s Market is Taking Shape

This blog was last updated on February 14, 2025 In the fall of 2024, New York became the latest state to open its doors to direct-to-consumer (DtC) spirits shipping, marking a significant milestone for the industry. As one of the most populous states with a thriving market for craft and high-end spirits, the shift was […]

North America Unclaimed Property
February 10, 2025
Delaware Announces 2025 VDA Invitation Dates

This blog was last updated on February 14, 2025 Mark your calendars – April 11, 2025 and August 15, 2025 are this year’s anticipated release dates for the Delaware’s Secretary of State (SOS) VDA program invitations. In the event that an organization receives an invitation to participate in the Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (VDA) program  , […]