Are coupons and manufacturer rebates allowed on alcoholic beverages in Connecticut?

Rebates may only come from a manufacturer and not a wholesaler or a retailer.   They are limited to off-premises sales only. 

Rebates must only be for cash and cannot be “in-kind.”  In other words, a manufacturer cannot give merchandise or other items as a rebate fulfillment. 

Example: “Buy a bottle of rose and receive a pink hat by mail” is not allowed. 

 A rebate can never be for more than the price paid by the customer.  

Example: If a rebate offers $10 off a bottle of wine but a customer only paid $9, the rebate would be limited to $9.

Rebates are allowed to be processed electronically.  

Retailers may advertise the existence of a rebate and the net price of an alcoholic product provided the advertisement lists the regular sales price, the amount and expiration date of the rebate, and the net price of the product. 

If a rebate requires the purchase of an additional item in the form of a cross-rebate, the manufacturer must be sure all retailers have the opportunity to participate. 

Example: A tequila company is offering a $5 mail in rebate if their tequila and a popular salsa are both purchased.  In Connecticut, a package store cannot sell salsa and a grocery store cannot sell tequila.  The rules for the rebate must allow the items to be submitted on separate receipts.  

Example: A major beer manufacturer is offering a $10 rebate on a case of beer when purchased with a frozen pizza.  In Connecticut, a package store cannot sell pizza, but a grocery store can sell both the pizza and the beer.  The rules for the rebate must allow the items to be submitted on separate receipts so that package stores can participate in the rebate. 

All rebates must be submitted to Liquor Control and approved. Please submit at www.elicense.ct.gov

On-premises locations, like restaurants, may offer coupons that include discounts on alcoholic beverages, however the coupon cannot be a game, encourage overconsumption, or require the purchase of additional beverages.    

Off-premises locations may also offer coupons, but are strongly discouraged from doing so because of minimum bottle pricing.  If a coupon drops a price below minimum bottle, it would be a violation of pricing laws.  A rebate is the only way a consumer can end up with a net payment less than minimum bottle.