This week, South Dakota became the 43rd state to allow direct-to-consumer wine shipment to consumers. The legislation, HB 1001, was signed by the Governor Daugaard on February 19 and establishes a wine direct shipper license through the South Dakota Department of Revenue.

The bill would allow for any winery that holds a federal basic permit to obtain a direct shipper license. There is an annual fee of $100. The winery holding the license may ship up to 12 cases of wine produced under their permit to an adult consumer in South Dakota during a calendar year. Age verification is required. Shippers must pay sales and excise taxes and file quarterly shipment reports. Additionally, labels that are not already and registered and consigned to a wholesaler must be registered with the Department of Revenue prior to any shipment.

The legislation goes into effect on January 1, 2016. WineAmerica will provide additionally information as it becomes available.

Questions? Contact Michael Kaiser at mkaiser@nullwineamerica.org or 202-223-5172.

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The TTB does not mandate the use of GMOs on alcoholic beverages. There is no federal GMO labeling requirement currently. Until such time, disclosure is voluntary. The TTB is currently doing an internal review on the existing standards for disclosing any GMOs used in the winemaking process. As of now, with the lack of a federal labeling requirement, it remains to be seen what TTB will do, if anything.

How do I know what is required to ship wine into a particular state?

Currently, 43 states allow some form of direct shipment to varying degrees. Each state has a different requirement. It is easy to become confused by all of the different laws and regulations in each state, but virtually all states that allow shipping have a permitting requirement. No shipping should be down without the proper permitting. Visit ShipCompliant’s state-by-state listing here for a better understanding of what is required.

Are you a WineAmerica member? Email us your questions! mkaiser@nullwineamerica.org

Join Today!

WineAmerica membership offers you direct access to policy makers here in Washington D.C. and a shared grassroots platform with wine industry peers across the country. No matter how many acres of grapes you grow or cases of wine you make, all American wineries share common concerns. As the only national grassroots voice in Washington, D.C. WineAmerica is constantly working to protect and promote the prosperity of America’s diverse wine industry.

The specifics of the bill are as follows:

• Only bonded wineries may apply for a direct shipping permit

• $300 initial direct shipping license fee,  and each subsidiary of the winery must have a separate license

• $150 annual renewal fee

• Shipping is limited to 12 standard cases per year per purchaser

• Annual reports are required

• Excise taxes remitted on each sale

• Adult signature required

The Massachusetts Alcohol Beverage Control Commission has until January 1, 2015 to draft the licenses required for individual wineries.

There is one remaining obstacle for wine shipments into Massachusetts.  Common carriers, such as Fed Ex and UPS, are required to register each vehicle used for delivery in the state.  The registration is for a wine delivery permit and is $200 per vehicle.  It remains to be seen if the Massachusetts legislature will remedy this before it the new shipping bill goes into effect.

WineAmerica will provide its members with the necessary information as it becomes available.

Are you a WineAmerica member? Email us your questions! mkaiser@nullwineamerica.org

Join Today!

WineAmerica membership offers you direct access to policy makers here in Washington D.C. and a shared grassroots platform with wine industry peers across the country. No matter how many acres of grapes you grow or cases of wine you make, all American wineries share common concerns. As the only national grassroots voice in Washington, D.C. WineAmerica is constantly working to protect and promote the prosperity of America’s diverse wine industry.