US direct shipping rules

I short, yes, but . . .

Not all states will "allow" it therefore shippers such as FEDEX and UPS or DHL will not handle the shipment. Assuming this is an occassional or once only thing, you may send me some glassware to 225 . . .

Filippo,

from all what I have heard (and read), it's absolutely impossible to ship directly to consumers just about in *any* of the 50 US states. Wine distribution is strict state law, so there is no uniform and single answer. Please, community, correct me if I'm wrong.

Just about the only possible way seems to to contact wine geek importers and kindly ask them for a favor. This might work. Apart from this group, you might also post on Mark Squires's Wine Bulletin Board at eRobert.Parker.com.

M.

Unfortunately, the answer is "it depends." Not any help, but that is the best that we, in the US, can offer. Each state has its own set of laws and rules, mostly revolving around state taxes, and lobbiests for distributors.

Recently, a good friend (about 20 cases of his wine are in my cellar, while he builds his own) traveled to Italy and had about six cases of wine, not readily available in the state of Arizona (very restrictive in many wine-related areas) for his personal consumption. All six cases made it through customs without a glitch. I do not know all of the particulars, but do not believe that many are imported into, and distributed, in Arizona. I know that this antecdotal bit doesn't answer your question, but does point out that it can be done - in some places.

Also, please note that the state laws, governing the sale of wine in the US, are changing. Some rather quickly, though some too slowly to do (some of us) much good.

Joe "Bepe" Rosenburg should be a good resource in this group, as he is/was in the wine import/distribution business, and has played the games, that many states require. Others may be able to be of specific help, as well.

Actually, it has probably been easier to form the EU, than to get any good info on selling a bottle of wine in many of the state in the US.

Good luck, Hunt - in Arizona

This is the best resource I have found referencing direct shipment in the US

See also chianti thread.

I know I've done this before but as a former broker, I worked at all levels.

To import a wine into the US at a minimum you need an importer and approval of your label & warning label by the US government--most times the importer submits the label for you after indicating what exactly is needed and in what font & type size. The importer multiplies the FOB or excellar price & shipping & US Customers cost by a factor of at least 1.2. In rare cases like Washington DC-enotecas (stores) have import licenses but they then multiply costs by 1.5 because their prices still would be less the other States.

A few States allow an importer to be a wholesaler/distributor if that's the case the importer raises his prices higher as long as his/her wines are equal to what the market is charging.

In the rest of the States the importer finds a wholesaler who must register the wine with the State which may involve submitting another label & comparing it to the one the US Government approved. The wholesaler charges their cost including shipping from an importer a nark up of at least 1.3 but more common 1.4.

The retailers than charge about 1.4 to 1.5 depending on the mark ups of other stores that's 140-150% rounded up to x.49 0r x.99 cents. Restaurants charge at least 200% percent of their cost more often 300% of what a retailer would charge.

The winery is expected to supply 5% in samples and credit a seller for "returns".

US Customs can inspect any shipment and only items listed on an invoice or manifest and conform to Government approved labels are allowed in--the container is held until the matters resolved--generally a custom broker is involved at the importers choice as is shippers and whether or not the containers are refrigerated ("reefers" add $4-8 to shipping costs travel from the East Coast to West another $6

Where Pennsylvania is concerned, there is no direct shipping (except by in-state wineries). In limited circumstances, you can get imported wine shipped to the state-owned store of your choice, but you still have to go get it. Their rationale is that this keeps minors from buying wine on the web.

Dan-O

in article snipped-for-privacy@bt.com, filippo at snipped-for-privacy@btinternet.com wrote on 1/15/07 10:41 AM:

As has been said here, alcoholic beverages are one of the most tightly controlled consumer products in the US. I'm assuming, from your question, that this is a commercial venture, not an individual to an individual. My somewhat educated answer is that you would have to ship your wine to a properly licensed importer within the US, who would then be able to ship it to properly licensed retailers. From what I know, the importer cannot ship directly to consumers unless his/her business is separately licensed to do so, but I know of several who apparently do it, so it is no doubt legal.

Filippo,

I tried to email you, but bounced. Could you drop me a mail at the address in the sig below?

Thanks,

-E

There are wine clubs that ship direct to homes. I have a friend who gets 3 bottles a month from the Italian Wine Club. They offer three price points, I think. Ah, yes:

Silver Membership: Receive 3 bottles each month of great Italian wines such as Chianti, Barbera, Dolcetto & other new style blends.

3 bottles: $49.95 + s/h per shipment

Gold Membership: Receive 3 bottles each month of distinguished Italian wines such as Chianti Classico and Riserva, Single Vineyard Crus, and premium varietal blends.

3 bottles: $79.95 + s/h per shipment

Platinum Membership: Receive 3 bottles each month of superlative Italian wines such as Brunello, Barolo, Amarone and famous Super Tuscans. (only Reds available)

3 bottles: $199.95 + s/h per shipment

The wines come packed in a large crate, well-protected.

The wines are superb, from what I have heard. Many are not widely available at stores.

Ok, I follow up to myself to thank all the people who gave an answer to my question. Guys, you have been incredibly supportive, I appreciate this very much. Thanks to Joseph Coulter, Michael Pronay, Hunt, ferment, Joe "Beppe" Rosenberg, Dan the Man, Midlife, Emery Davis (Emery, I tried and send you an email to the address you said, but that bounced back to me too..). I will try and digest this information. I will definitely let the ng know of any progress I would make on this point. Thank you also to those who showed appreciation for my little contribution so far to this ng, both in this thread and in the Chianti one as well. It is particularly encouraging that such issues as the Chianti identity, although maybe very specific in character, can still be of some general interest even to a faraway public (and who knows? maybe not despite but rather thanks to being so faraway..)

There's more, but I'll try again.

-E

Emery, thanks for your interest. If using the address I am presently using, then please transform snipped-for-privacy@tsoh.do.ma.in => snipped-for-privacy@host.do.ma.in (i.e. also the first bit after the at sign)

If using the other one (iselotnic.oppilif etc..) then please transform emanrus.eman@ => name.surname@ (i.e. just the part before the at sign)

I'm with you Barb. No way Uncle Eddie is going to let a bottle hit your door without siphoning off a few ounces to lubricate the patronage machine. Besides, he's got his new PLCB CEO's salary to consider.

Jon

Everything I've read about PA wine shipping rules and the ABC there would certainly negate what little desire I would have to live there. I know people who drive 6 hours or more to get good wine in PA.

Lucky for me I live within a half hour of both Delaware and New Jersey. :-)

To be fair, things have gotten a lot better in the PLCB in the last few years. The recently departed chairman, Jonathan Newman, had made great progress modernizing the system (within the limits of his powers). Many 'State Stores' are now open Sundays, and many have a specialty shop within the store that carry's a nicer line of wines. There are even a few supermarkets with wine and spirit stores attached. In the 5 county Philly are there are usually at least one educated employee at each State Store who knows wine and knows their stock. I've been blessed to live near a store where most of the employees are pretty savvy.

It will be interesting to see if things go downhill again now that Newman was forced out.

Jon

Yes, Newman's departure could be a big step backward, now that Ed "Big Machine" Rendell's buddy is in charge. We were finally coming out of the 18th century under Newman's stewardship. For now, I go to a Specialty store in Wyomissing, west of Reading, or I patronize one of the local producers.

Dan-O

I went to a summer camp in Wyomissing on the banks of the Schuykill back in the early '60s. Beautiful area.

I frequent the Conshohocken store on Ridge Pike as its near my home. I also shop at the Bryn Mawr store near work if I run errands at lunch. That has proven to be frustrating when the manager is not there as no one else knows where anything is.

Jon