Maine - US Wine Shipping Laws

In a country that produces Napa Valley Chardonnays, Washington Rieslings, Long Island Cabernets and great wines from almost every other state, it can be a felony to ship one of these wines between two states. The laws are different for every single state. What are the Maine laws?

NOTE: Effective September 15, 1997, the Maine reciprocity provisions set forth here that was passed in 1993 will no longer be effective. A new section, 2077-B, provides that a person may not sell, furnish, deliver or purchase liquor from an out-of-state company by mail order. Here are the details of 2077, which deals with importing wine.

Original Section 2077
No person other than a wholesale licensee, small brewery licensee or farm winery licensee may transport or cause to be transported malt liquor or wine into the State in a quantity greater than 3 gallons for malt liquor and 4 quarts for wine, unless it was legally purchased in the State.

2077-A was repealed

2077-B. Interstate shipping of liquor prohibited
1. Prohibition. A person may not sell, furnish, deliver or purchase liquor from an out-of-state company by mail order.

[1997, c. 501, §6 (new).]
2. Penalty. A person who violates this section is subject to penalties listed in section 2075, subsection 4. Approved June 12, 1997.

Pending bills in Maine:

LD2200:
This would repeal B, and add a section which has:

No more than 2.4 gallons of malt liquor and 2.4 gallons of wine may be shipped per month to a household in this State.
Unfortunately, the last note on this bill reads: "Last House Action: 2/29/00 Majority Ought Not to Pass Report Accepted. In concurrence Ordered sent forthwith"

Failed Bills:

LD1211: Reciprocality
This bill amends the prohibition on the interstate shipping of liquor to allow the interstate shipping of wine.
The majority report 'ought not to pass' was accepted on 5/13/99 - the bill is dead.

LD973:
This bill would increase the limits:

An individual may transport into the State and may transport from place to place within the State spirits for the individual's personal use in a quantity not greater than 12 quarts.
LD 973 was vetoed by the Governor on 6/18/99

Shipping Company Status:

UPS refuses to ship wine within, to, or from Maine.

Update
In June 2009, Governor Baldacci signed a law which as of Sept 2009 allows direct shipping for people in Maine!

This page is no longer being updated. For news about Maine, visit the new Maine Wine Shipping Laws Page!

United States Wine Shipping Status