User:FW Kirwin-Hall/Importing Alcoholic Beverages

To import alcoholic beverages into the United States the general rule is that one must possess both the appropriate State and Federal beverage alcohol licenses. (Unless the distinction is important, the works "permit" and "license" will be used interchangably)

For licensing, labeling and tax purposes, alcoholic beverages are catagorized as wine, malt beverage (ie: beer, ale) or distilled spirits.

Federal law requires that one obtain a "basic permit" to import the appropriate type of alcohol for commercial purposes.

Federal law and regulations also require each container of beverage alcohol be labeled with a standard health warning statement in any case where the alcohol may be sold or "distributed". The term "distributed" is interpreted broadly and is not restricted to sales or commercial transactions. (27 CFR Part 16.) Note that the law and regulations provide for a civil penalty of $11,000 per violation.

To import alcoholic beverages without a permit, the importer must qualify for an exception to the general rule. Only the Federal law is consistent throughout the United States. Each State has its own beverage alcohol law and there are great differences from State to State. Three persons from three different States attempting to import identical types and quantities of alcohol can easily

Connecticut

Massachusetts

New Jersey

New York

Pennsylvania