Rhode Island - 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 Rhode Island laws?

Rhode Island currently allows limited shipment of wine to individuals for personal use:

Title 3, Section 1 of the Statutes

7) "Import" means at one time or in one transaction to take or cause to be taken into this state from outside the state any malt beverage in excess of eight (8) gallons or any vinous beverage or any beverage consisting in whole or in part of alcohol produced by distillation in excess of three (3) gallons.

This means an individual importing under 3 gallons is exempt from the normal licensing statues:

Title 3

For more information on what Title 3 is, take a look at Title 3, Sec 4 of the Statutes

§ 3-4-1 Importation orders.
Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to import beverages into this state. A person desiring to import beverages into this state may place with the division of taxation an order directed to a dealer for the beverage he or she desires to import and shall satisfy the division of taxation of his or her intention to pay for the merchandise. The division of taxation shall execute these orders unless doing so would involve some illegal act or the doing of an act which would be cause for the forfeiture of any license issued under this title.

In June 2000 Rep. John Barr II spported Rhode Island House Bill 7987. This would have allowed residents to order up to 18 bottles a month from out-of-state shippers, an improvement over existing conditions. Unfortunately, the bill was never passed.

In July 2001 the law was changed so that people ordering wine had to be physically AT the winery when they placed the order. This makes it exceedingly challenging for ordering wine from out of state!

The overseer of this area is the Dept. of Business Regulation, Office of Liquor Enforcement / Compliance

Shipping Status:

UPS does accept shipments of wine within the state of Rhode Island.

UPDATE

This page is no longer being updated - the content can now be found at Rhode Island Shipping Laws

United States Wine Shipping Status