Shipping wine into the United States is legal, but there are a few things to consider. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulates alcoholic imports into the country, and each state has their own rules and regulations that must be followed.
Requirements
You do not need a permit or license to import wine, provided you do not intend to resale or redistribute. If that is the case, you must have an importer's basic permit and apply for a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA).
State Rules
States control the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages across their borders. Often these regulations are more stringent than federal guidelines. You can find a list of these rules at the TTB website (see Resources).
Taxes
All imports are subject to duties governed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This is in addition to any related federal excise tax.
Quantity
If the amount of wine you send is sizeable and/or repetitive, the CBP may delay approval at the port of entry.
Tips
Contacting the port of entry through which your wine is being shipped can expedite the approval process. Also, check for any additional regulations your particular carrier might have.
Tags: port entry
