dtc-wine-report-2025

2025 Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Report

The spirits industry continues to face a pivotal moment. With only nine states and D.C. permitting interstate direct-to-consumer (DtC) spirits shipping (compared to 48 states and D.C. for wine) the gap between consumer expectations and legal access remains stark. The 2025 Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Report, produced in partnership with the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), explores this divide and the growing opportunity to modernize outdated laws.

What’s Inside?

This year’s report, based on a nationwide survey of 2,004 U.S. adults (including 752 regular craft spirits drinkers), reveals:

  • The Regulatory Landscape: A state-by-state breakdown of current DtC spirits shipping laws and limitations.
  • Roadblocks to Growth: How production caps, reciprocity rules and in-state-only permissions are stalling progress.
  • Legislative Developments: Updates on 2025 bills introduced in California, Iowa, Maine, Illinois, Hawaii and South Dakota.
  • Consumer Intent & Spend: 84% of regular craft spirits drinkers want DtC access. Those likely to purchase would spend $124/month, or $1,484 annually.
  • Retail Synergy: 92% of DtC buyers say they’d seek out brands in retail stores after discovering them via DtC.
  • ACSA’s Perspective: Why fair, inclusive DtC laws are essential for small distilleries and the broader spirits ecosystem.

Get the report now

Unmet Demand = Untapped Revenue for Distilleries

2025 Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Report - What is inside

Consumers are ready to get their favorite craft spirits delivered to their home, but current shipping laws

  • 77% of regular craft spirits drinkers have discovered a spirit while traveling that they wish they could buy at home. Unfortunately, many can’t replace their souvenirs, such as Kentucky bourbon or pre-mixed Sazeracs from New Orleans, due to restrictive shipping laws.
  • 74% say they would join a if DtC shipping were available, meaning distilleries are losing out on consistent revenue.
  • 85% would recommend a distillery offering DtC shipping to friends and family.

The message is clear: modernizing DtC laws isn’t just good policy—it’s good business.

“Expanding access represents a win for distillers, a win for consumers and a win for local economies. Now is the time for policymakers to modernize the distilled spirits marketplace and help craft distillers.”

The craft spirits industry can’t afford to leave money on the table.

Learn how DtC shipping could open new avenues for customer engagement and consistent revenue.

Download the report now

Consumer Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Sovos ShipCompliant from August 7-11, 2025 among 2,004 U.S. adults ages 21 and older, among whom 752 drink craft spirits/liquor at least once per month. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.6 percentage points using a 95% confidence level for adults ages 21+, and within +/- 4.3 percentage points using a 95% confidence level for those who drink craft spirits/liquor at least once per month. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact helloship@sovos.com.

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