Out-of-State Shipper and Retailer Permits

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This page is devoted to permits for businesses wishing to ship alcohol into Connecticut.  The premises may be in Connecticut or in another state.   

Below is a description of the permits.  (Connecticut wholesalers looking for information about shipper permits to import should visit the wholesaler permit webpage.) 

 

Permit

Type of Alcohol

Annual Fee

Special Allowances

Out-of-State Shipper for Alcoholic Liquor

All

$1250

  • Allows the shipment of beer, wine, cider, and spirits to wholesalers and manufacturers for sale in Connecticut.

  • If a “farm winery” holds permit, also allows shipment to wine retailers if winery produces not more than 100,000 gallons/year. (Farm winery is a manufacturer located on a farm where wine is sold and not less than 25% of fruit used in manufacturing is grown on the farm or land owned by backer.)

  • If a winery holds permit, also allows direct shipment of wine it manufactures to a Connecticut consumer

Out-of-State Shipper for Beer

Beer

$1250

  • Allows the shipment of beer to wholesalers and manufacturers for sale in Connecticut.

Out-of-State Winery Shipper

Wine; cider not exceeding 6% abv

$315

  • Allows the shipment of wine to wholesalers and manufacturers for sale in Connecticut.

  • Allows shipment to wine retailers if winery produces not more than 100,000 gallons/year

  • Allows direct shipment of wine it manufactures to a Connecticut consumer

Out-of- State Retailer

Wine

$600

  • Allows direct shipment of wine to Connecticut consumers

  • Must hold a retail permit in home state; a manufacturing or wholesaling permit with incidental retail allowances is not sufficient

  • Cannot sell below minimum bottle price if product is price posted in Connecticut

 

What other licensing and compliance requirements do shippers have? 

All shipper permittees (except the out-of-state retailer) must: (1) register their brands, and (2) post their price at least once a year by January 6th.  More information about brand registration and price posting can be found on our brand registration page.  

Additionally, there are tax shipping reports required by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.  Shippers must pay all sales taxes and alcoholic beverage taxes required.  Please refer to the DRS website for more information.  

If shipping alcohol directly to a consumer, the shipping label must conspicuously state “CONTAINS ALCOHOL – SIGNATURE OF A PERSON AGE 21 OR OLDER REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY” and ship utilizing their own employees or a licensed transporter.   

Out-of-state retailers must honor existing minimum bottle posted price of any product currently sold by a Connecticut wholesaler.  Out-of-state retailers do not need to separately brand register or price post products not already sold in Connecticut.  

Are there rules about appointing a wholesaler?   

A manufacturer or out-of-state shipper permit must appoint a wholesaler to distribute their products to retailers in Connecticut. This creates a distributorship. After six months, the distributorship with the wholesaler you have appointed becomes permanent. Put another way, all product appointments are “for life.”  You may appoint your wholesaler on your brand registration application or you may email a pdf of a letter stating your intention to appoint a particular wholesaler and the date the appointment begins to DCP.LiquorControl@ct.gov and copy the appointed wholesaler.  

Your appointment should specify the products appointed (e.g., whole product lines or individual flavors) and the area of appointment (e.g., statewide or specific counties).  

There are limited ways to alter a distributorship:  

  1. Appoint a dual wholesaler, effective six months after notice of the dual is given to current wholesaler(s);  

  2. Execute a written stipulation with the wholesaler to diminish or terminate the appointment; or  

  3. Request a hearing before the Liquor Control Commission to terminate or change the appointment.   

Please visit Changing your Distributorship With a Wholesaler for more information on all these options.  

What do I need to apply? 

You must have copies of your federal basic permit from TTB, a copy of your Connecticut Department of Revenue sales tax permit and alcohol distributor permit, and your registration with Connecticut Secretary of State. Out-of-state retailers also need their home state retailer permit.  

How do I apply? 

You may apply online at www.elicense.ct.gov. Create an eLicense account and follow the instructions to apply.  Select the proper liquor permit from the drop down in Step 12.  

 

 

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