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2077-A was repealed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.

United States Wine Shipping Status