Archive for September, 2008
Two Upcoming Virtual Seminars; One for Wineries, One for Retailers
September 30th, 2008
ShipCompliant continues its series of ‘Virtual’ Seminars on Shipping Compliance, this year with two separate offerings for wineries and retailers. Click the links below for more information and to register.
The winery focused seminar presented along with Wine Institute, FedEx and Wine Business Monthly, will feature Steve Gross, Director of State Relations at Wine Institute, with a state-by-state legislative update. Special guest Tom Ourada, Tax Revenue Specialist with Wisconsin DOR, will provide insight on Wisconsin’s new direct shipping legislation. These informative presentations will be complemented by shipping compliance tools and workflows from ShipCompliant and FedEx.
The retailer focused seminar presented along with Specialty Wine Retailers Association (SWRA) and Wine Business Monthly, will feature Tom Wark, Executive Director of SWRA, with a state-by-state update from the retailer perspective along with best practices and a product demo from ShipCompliant.
Both events are run in a ‘virtual’ online format where you hear the speakers by calling into a conference phone line and see their presentations by logging into a coordinating web conference.
Don’t miss this opportunity to get time-critical updates without the cost of attending an event in person.
District of Columbia Increases Volume Limits
September 29th, 2008
Washington, D.C. recently made an adjustment to its direct-to-consumer wine shipping law that benefits the industry and consumers. The volume limit has increased from 1 quart to 1 case per person per winery per month. Washington, D.C. consumers are now allowed to order up to 1 case of wine per month from any number of wineries. There continues to be no permit, reporting or tax requirements for direct shippers. However, wineries must comply with their common carrier’s wine shipping policy.
Annie Bones, State Relations - Wine Institute
Indiana Still Standing on Their Face
September 19th, 2008
On September 11th, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeal said that they will not rehear an appeal concerning the original opinion of the Court in Indiana. The denial to rehear the case confirms that currently it is legally within the power of the State of Indiana to require wineries to ship wine to Indiana consumers only if an initial face-to-face transaction occurs. According to the Family Winemakers of California, this was “due to the fact that there was an insufficient evidentiary record to demonstrate that such a provision discriminated against interstate commerce”. Since a rehearing was denied, the only step remaining for Baude v. Heath would be an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Louisiana Shipping Rules
September 18th, 2008
In response to questions about shipping wine to Louisiana, I thought a short summary of direct-to-consumer wine shipping rules was in order. Louisiana regulations do not prohibit wineries with a relationship with a licensed wholesaler in Louisiana from making off-site direct-to-consumer shipments. The Alcohol and Tobacco Control Office allows a winery to direct ship any label that is not consigned by contract to a licensed wholesaler in the quantity stated in the law. This is allowed even if the winery has other labels consigned to the wholesaler. Wineries may ship up to 4 cases per household per year and are required to obtain a direct shipper’s permit before shipping to Louisiana consumers. In addition, wineries must pay taxes and file reports. Should you have any questions please contact Wine Institute’s State Relations Department at 415-356-7530.
Annie Bones, State Relations - Wine Institute
Wisconsin Permit Applications Available
September 11th, 2008
The Wine Direct Shipper permit application is now up on Wisconsin’s website. Wisconsin approved licensed direct shipping legislation back in March, which will allow wineries in every state to ship limited amounts of wine to Wisconsin residents, beginning October 1, 2008. Here’s some basic information on how to apply for the direct wine shipping permit:
Form BT-138, “Alcohol Beverages Tax Bond” (the bond amount should be equal to two times the estimated monthly tax due; minimum of $1000) and Form AB-123, “Distilled Spirits/Wine Permit Application” should be mailed to the WI DOR along with payment. Prospective direct wine shippers also must register to pay sales tax. The wine shipping permit application will not be processed until an Application for Business Tax Registration (aka “Seller’s Permit”) is completed. The fee for business tax registration is $20. If filing online (recommended - the application is processed much faster if done online), mail in the business tax registration fee with your $200 wine shipper permit fee and wine shipper permit application.
