Direct-Shipping Bill Passes Connecticut Legislature
Cyril Penn - June 20, 2005
Legislation allowing direct-to-consumer shipments from out-of-state wineries passed the Connecticut Legislature last week, and Governor, Jodi Rell is expected to sign the legislation, which was supported by Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection.
Out-of-state wineries previously were barred from shipping directly to consumers in Connecticut. Under the bill out-of-state wineries holding the appropriate buyer's license will be able to now direct ship up to five cases per winery, per person, every 60 days. Existing permits will allow out-of- state wineries already selling through the three-tier system in Connecticut to direct ship there.
Wineries not yet doing business in Connecticut can apply for a permit based on the size of their production for either $250 or $1,000. The bill requires all shippers, both in- and out-of-state, to pay any taxes due from the sales to the Department of Revenue Services and prohibits shipping into "dry" towns. The bill includes record-keeping and advertising requirements.
One provision of the bill may be something of a wrinkle, and it was inserted at the behest of the Department of Consumer Protection. The bill includes language allowing any "farm" winery in or out of state making less than 100,000 gallons per year to sell and ship up to 15 gallons in "original sealed containers" (bottles) directly to a Connecticut retailer. Connecticut already allows in-state "farm" wineries to sell up to 15 gallons directly to retailers.
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