Buying Beer By Mail: Is It Possible?

Whether you can buy beer through the mail depends on where you live. In the US, the 21st Amendment returned power to each state to regulate the use of alcohol within its borders, resulting in a confusing patchwork of state specifications for how alcohol is regulated. While some states have made it easier to ship alcohol directly to consumers, some states still prohibit it. Only two states have blanket bans on mailing alcohol directly to consumers: Mississippi and Utah. In the remaining states, it's legal but with varying levels of regulatory complexity.

The United States Postal Service does not allow the shipment of intoxicating liquors above 0.5% alcohol under almost any circumstance. However, FedEx and UPS will ship alcohol, provided you have a valid shipping license and follow their guidelines.

Shipping beer through the mail is illegal in some US states

Only two states have blanket bans on mailing alcohol directly to consumers: Mississippi and Utah. However, regulations in the remaining 48 states vary from relatively relaxed to very restrictive. For example, some states may prohibit the shipment of more than one bottle of alcohol at a time or impose limits on how many bottles can be shipped to a person each year.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) will not ship alcohol under any circumstances, and you cannot even use a box with alcohol-related branding to ship other goods. However, UPS and FedEx will ship alcohol, provided certain conditions are met. For example, UPS requires a specialized carriage contract for shipping wine, beer, and spirits, and you must hold the appropriate government licenses for the specific type of alcohol and the states you are shipping to and from. FedEx only accepts shipments from licensed alcohol shippers who have been approved by them.

In short, while it is illegal to ship beer through the mail in some US states, the specific regulations vary from state to state, and it is possible to ship alcohol through certain carriers if you follow their guidelines.

It's also illegal to use a box with alcohol branding

The United States Postal Service (USPS) will not ship alcohol under any circumstances. This means that even if you're sending a non-alcoholic item, you cannot use a box with alcohol branding. If there's any alcohol-related branding visible on the box, the USPS won't accept the shipment, regardless of its contents.

This restriction dates back to the Prohibition era in the US, when alcohol was banned under the 18th Amendment. Although the 21st Amendment undid the ban, it gave states the power to enact their own laws regarding the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol, resulting in a patchwork of regulations that persist to this day.

While USPS won't ship alcohol, private couriers like FedEx and UPS will, provided certain conditions are met. However, these companies also have their own rules about packaging. For example, UPS requires that alcohol be packaged in "plain boxes with no branding or labelling that would identify the contents as alcohol." Thus, it's important to check the specific guidelines of your chosen carrier before attempting to ship alcohol or alcohol-branded packages.

You must be 21 to order beer online

The legal drinking age in the United States is 21 years old, and this age restriction applies to online orders of beer, wine, and spirits. While the specific laws and regulations vary across states, you must be at least 21 years old to order beer online.

Some states have more relaxed laws regarding the online sale and shipment of alcohol. For example, in California, there are more relaxed shipping laws, and online beer stores based in this state can ship to many states across the country. However, it's important to note that these stores cannot ship to all 50 states and are limited to around 36 states.

To order beer online, you must provide a valid ID proving that you are 21 or older. Additionally, you may need to pay additional taxes, shipping fees, and service charges. It's crucial to familiarize yourself with the specific laws and regulations of your state before attempting to purchase alcohol online.

It's worth noting that non-alcoholic beer (NA beer) falls into a grey area when it comes to age restrictions. NA beer typically contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), which is lower than most fruit juices. However, due to a legal anomaly, any malt beverage, regardless of its ABV, is regulated by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA). As a result, the laws regarding the purchase of NA beer by minors vary from state to state.

You need a liquor license to ship beer

Shipping beer and other alcoholic beverages is a complex process due to the varying laws and regulations that exist in different states and municipalities. To ship beer, you will generally need a liquor license, and the specific type of license will depend on your business type and activities.

Firstly, it is important to distinguish between shipping alcohol in-state and out-of-state. Shipping alcohol within your state is simpler as you only need to comply with the regulations of your state and local government entities. However, shipping alcohol across state lines requires knowledge of the regulations in both the shipping state and the destination state.

When it comes to obtaining a liquor license for shipping beer, the requirements can vary by state. Some states may have separate licenses for beer manufacturers, wine growers, brandy manufacturers, and distilled spirits manufacturers. For example, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) charges an application fee and a license fee for different types of licenses, with the cost depending on factors such as production volume and shipping type.

In addition to a state license, you may also need a federal license from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The TTB offers an online tutorial to help businesses determine the permits they need and facilitates the application process. Obtaining a federal license is typically a prerequisite for applying for a state license.

It is worth noting that not all shipping carriers will deliver alcohol, even in states where it is legal. UPS and FedEx will ship alcohol, but only from licensed alcohol shippers who have entered into specialized carriage contracts. These contracts outline the unique licensing and shipping requirements for each type of alcohol, such as beer, wine, or spirits. Additionally, a surcharge will be applied to alcohol shipments, and an adult signature is required upon delivery.

Before shipping any alcoholic beverages, it is crucial to understand the regulations in both the shipping and receiving states, as well as any applicable municipal or county laws. While some states may allow direct-to-consumer shipments, others may prohibit them. It is the shipper's responsibility to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations to avoid penalties and ensure smooth delivery.

FedEx and UPS have different rules for shipping alcohol

UPS will ship alcohol, but only if the shipper has an account with them and has signed a specialised carriage contract. UPS requires that an individual carrier agreement be in place for beer, wine, and spirits, as each type of alcohol comes with its own unique set of licensing and shipping requirements. UPS allows direct-to-consumer shipments, as well as other shipping arrangements, including shipments from one alcohol license to another, intra and interstate retailer, and brewery shipments, when permitted by law.

FedEx, on the other hand, only accepts alcohol shipments from licensed alcohol shippers who have been approved by the company and have entered into a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement. Consumers are prohibited from shipping alcohol of any type via FedEx services. FedEx requires a special label signifying that the package contains alcohol, and these labels can be obtained from the company. Additionally, FedEx requires documented shipment, which means that shippers must create their shipping labels using a FedEx Ship Manager electronic shipping solution or a third-party system approved by the company.

Both companies have strict regulations regarding the packaging of alcohol. UPS requires inner packaging made of moulded Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam, folded corrugated tray, or moulded fibre tray, with each packaging component securing the bottles away from the sidewalls of the shipping container. Sturdy outer corrugated containers are also mandatory. FedEx, meanwhile, requires packaging that ensures the alcoholic shipment is secure and completely covered in something soft to prevent glass breakage. Absorbent material must also be included in case of breakage.

Another difference between the two companies is their policies regarding the recipient of the alcohol shipment. UPS requires that an adult signs for the delivery of the package. It cannot be dropped off at an address unless someone over 21, with proper identification, signs for it. FedEx has a similar policy, requiring an adult signature for final delivery and prohibiting packages from being dropped off unless an adult with proper identification is present to sign.

In summary, while both FedEx and UPS ship alcohol, they have distinct requirements and processes that must be followed. It is important to carefully review and comply with the specific guidelines of each company to ensure smooth and legal alcohol shipping.

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