Vermont - 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 Vermont laws?

Title 7, Chapter 3
"a person may import or transport not more than six gallons of malt and/or vinous beverages into this state in his or her own private vehicle or in his or her actual possession at the time of such importation without permit providing it is not for resale."

That is only for personal carrying, though. If you want to ship wines in, you need to first get a permit from: Vermont Department of Liquor Control, Green Mountain Drive, Montpelier 05602. You must pay them the taxes due before you can receive the wine. In Vermont, the only way to buy alcohol is through an official outlet of the Dept of Liquor Control.

I contacted enforcement@dlc.state.vt.us for more information on the permit. Here is their response:

Title 7, V.S.a. sub.sect.63 requires that a permit be obtained from the Department of Liquor control in order to import/transport alcohol beverages into or through the State of Vermont.

When requested, an application is faxed/mailed to an applicant with the following information requested: Applicant's name, address; quantity and brands; total U.S. gallonage; destination of shipment; date of transportation; name and address of person or company transporting the beverages; origination of the shipment and if the applicant is having the alcohol imported for personal consumption.

Once the application is signed and dated and returned to this office, it is then either approved/disapproved. If approved it is signed by authorized by agent and returned to the application so that the permit can accompany the shipment into the state. Once received we request the permit be endorsed by consignee upon delivery of the merchandise and returned to the office for cancellation.

Proposed Lesislation:

House 572: This bill proposes to permit Vermont wineries to receive orders from and to ship the wine orders directly to Vermont residents, provided the wine is intended for personal use and not for resale.

Senate 299: This bill proposes to permit Vermont wineries to ship directly to customers.

Shipping Status

UPS does NOT accept shipments of wine within the state of Vermont.

United States Wine Shipping Status