Alabama | Direct shipping by common carrier, such as UPS or Federal Express, is banned. But consumers can get written permission to have a specific alcoholic beverage shipped to an Alcoholic Beverage Control store, where it can be picked up. |
Alaska | Localities can decide whether to allow direct shipping. As of April, 77 communities had banned shipments of alcohol to and from their residents. |
Arizona* | A state resident who visits an out-of-state winery and buys wine there may have it sent home; annual limit is two cases per person. The shipping boxes must be marked for a delivery requiring an adult signature. Direct shipping is allowed within the state. A lawsuit filed by Institute for Justice is challenging the out-of-state limits; the suit is on hold pending the outcome of New York and Michigan cases now before the U.S. Supreme Court. |
Arkansas | Unlicensed people are barred from bringing in or receiving wine or brandy from out of state. |
California | A resident may bring in or receive by direct shipment up to two cases of wine per month from wineries in states that give California wineries the same privileges. Wineries from states without such "reciprocal" policies may ship small quantities into California if they get a license. |
Colorado | A resident may bring in or receive by direct shipment up to two cases of wine per month from "reciprocal" states that give Colorado wineries the same privileges. Wineries must have a state-issued shipping permit. |
Connecticut | Mail-order sales and deliveries are illegal. A resident may bring in four gallons of alcoholic beverages from out of state at any one time, but not more than six gallons in a 60-day period. Residents must have a personal importation license. A Connecticut resident who visits a winery may have wine shipped home. |
Delaware | Direct shipments to consumers are prohibited. A Delaware resident who visits a winery may have wine shipped home. |
D.C. | Direct shipments of up to one quart a month are allowed. |
Florida* | Direct shipments of gifts purchased outside the USA or personally purchased by the consumer are permitted if the consumer pays excise taxes and obtains a permit. Otherwise, direct shipments are banned. The state's law is being challenged in court. |
Georgia | Wine sellers that do not have a distributor in Georgia may ship up to 50 cases into the state with a state-issued shipping license. A resident may not receive more than five cases from any one winery. Regardless of distribution status, an out-of-state winery may ship up to five cases to a resident who ordered the wine at the winery. |
Hawaii | Out-of-state wineries may ship up to three cases of a year to a Hawaii resident, but the wineries must register and submit an invoice with the local island liquor commission. |
Idaho | Residents can receive up to two cases of wine a month from other "reciprocal" states that allow shipments from Idaho sellers without payment of state tax. |
Illinois | Residents can receive up to two cases of wine a year from "reciprocal" states. The packages must be labeled for adults only. |
Indiana* | Direct shipping of alcohol is banned; a federal appeals court upheld the ban and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in 2001. |
Iowa | A winery licensed in a state that allows direct shipping of alcohol may ship up to 18 liters per month to Iowa residents who are at least 21. |
Kansas | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. |
Kentucky | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. Violators are warned on the first offense and are subject to felony charges on a second offense. However, a Kentucky resident who visits an out-of-state winery may have wine shipped back to his Kentucky residence for personal consumption. |
Louisiana | Residents may receive wine from an out-of-state winery that does not have a wholesaler in Louisiana. Visitors to an out-of-state winery may have the wine shipped home. Beer and spirits are excluded from the shipping program. |
Maine | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. |
Maryland | Out-of-state wineries can purchase a permit to ship wines that are not available through an alcohol distributor in Maryland. The wine must be shipped to a licensed Maryland retailer. |
Massachusetts | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. |
Michigan* | The state's ban on direct shipments of alcohol was struck down last August by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider an appeal from the state. Wine can be carried in from another state but can't be shipped. |
Minnesota | Wineries in states that allow shipments of Minnesota wines may ship up to two cases of wine a year to Minnesota residents who are at least 21. Internet orders and advertising are prohibited. |
Mississippi | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. |
Missouri | Wineries from "reciprocal" states that allow shipments of wine from Missouri sellers may ship up to two cases of wine per year to Missouri residents who are at least 21. |
Montana | Resident who are at least 21 and who buy a "connoisseur's permit" may receive up to 12 cases a year from out-of-state wineries. The resident must pay Montana taxes on the shipments. The out-of-state seller must be registered with the state. |
Nebraska | Residents may receive up to one case a month from out of state. The winery or liquor store that ships from another state must hold a $500 Nebraska shipping license and pay state taxes. The license holder may represent more than one manufacturer. |
Nevada | Residents who are at least 21 may receive up to 12 cases of wine a year from out-of-state sellers. The sellers must have a state permit and pay taxes on the sales. |
New Hampshire | A resident may receive up to 60 containers of up to one liter in one year from out of state. Direct shippers must register with New Hampshire. |
New Jersey | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. |
New Mexico | Residents may receive up to two cases of wine a month from sellers in states that allow similar shipments from New Mexico. |
New York* | In-state wineries may ship or deliver directly to consumers. In February, a federal appeals court upheld the state's ban on direct shipping from out of state. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider an appeal. |
North Carolina | The state's ban on direct shipping of alcohol has been struck down by a federal appeals court. Wineries who obtain a shipping permit now may ship up to two cases of wine per month to a North Carolina resident. |
North Dakota | Out-of-state sellers who obtain a North Dakota shipping permit and pay taxes shipments may send up to 9 liters of wine or spirits, or 288 ounces of beer, to a North Dakota resident for personal use. |
Ohio | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. |
Oklahoma | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. |
Oregon | Residents who are at least 21 may receive up to two cases of wine per month without having to pay state taxes if the wine is shipped from a state that allows similar shipments from Oregon sellers. Out-of-state sellers must have an Oregon shipping license and may accept written or telephone orders. The delivery person must verify the age of the recipient. |
Pennsylvania | Residents may receive special orders of wines that are not available in the state. The wine must be shipped to a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board store. Consumers must pay state taxes and a handling fee. |
Rhode Island | Residents who visit an out-of-state winery may have wine shipped to their homes in Rhode Island. |
South Carolina | Out-of-state wineries with a South Carolina wine shipper's license may ship up to 24 bottles a month to South Carolina residents who are at least 21. The shipping container must be labeled and must require an adult signature for delivery. |
South Dakota | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. |
Tennessee | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. |
Texas* | The state's ban on direct shipments of alcohol was struck down by a federal appeals court in 2003. Residents — except those in "dry" communities that ban or significantly restrict alcohol sales — now may order alcohol directly. |
Utah | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. |
Vermont | Direct shipping of alcohol is prohibited. |
Virginia | After a court struck down Virginia's ban on direct shipping, the state legislature rewrote the law. Out-of-state sellers with a wine shipper's license now may ship up to two cases to a Virginia resident per month. Sellers must pay excise taxes. |
Washington
| Residents may receive up to two cases of wine a year from wineries in "reciprocal" states that allow similar shipments from Washington sellers. Out-of-state sellers must have a private wine shipper's license. |
West Virginia | Residents may receive up to two cases of wine a month from an out-of-state winery or retailer in "reciprocal" states that allow similar shipments from West Virginia sellers. Shipping containers must be marked for delivery to an adult. |
Wisconsin | Residents may receive up to 9 liters of wine each year from wineries in "reciprocal" states that allow similar shipments from Wisconsin sellers. Out-of-state sellers must be registered in Wisconsin and release annual sales reports. |
Wyoming | Residents may receive up to two cases a year from licensed out-of-state shippers. The shippers must pay a 12% tax and file monthly shipping report. |