Direct Wine Shipper’s Permit Application
Section 4 - Direct Wine Shipper Permit - Requirements
1. The holder of a direct wine shipper's permit may only
sell wine to a personal consumer who is at least 21
years of age, is a resident of Maryland, and who
purchases wine for personal consumption only and not
for resale or other commercial purposes.
2.
A direct wine shipper's permit entitles the holder to
sell ONLY its own manufactured wine identified in
the included list through the holder of a common
carrier permit to a Maryland consumer by receiving
and filling orders that the consumer transmits by
electronic or other means.
3. The term of a direct wine shipper's permit is one year
and begins on July 1st. The permit must be renewed
annually.
4. A direct wine shipper shall:
a. Ensure that all containers of wine shipped directly
to a consumer in the State are conspicuously
labeled with:
(i) The name of the direct wine shipper;
(ii) The name and address of the consumer who
is the intended recipient; and
(iii) The words "Contains Alcohol: Signature of
Person at Least 21 Years of Age Required for
Delivery".
b. File a quarterly alcoholic beverage tax return
and a quarterly sales and use tax return with the
Comptroller of Maryland, and collect and remit
sales tax and pay alcoholic beverage tax due on
sales to consumers in Maryland. The alcoholic
beverage tax return must state the total amount
of wine, by type, shipped into the State, the price
charged, and the name and address of each
purchaser.
c. Post security for the alcoholic beverage tax in the
amount of at least $1,000 if the applicant is an out-
of-state manufacturer of wine. Existing bonds for
Maryland wine manufacturers may be adjusted
based on tax returns led.
d. Maintain for a period of 3 years complete and
accurate records of all information needed to verify
compliance with the requirements of the Direct
Wine Shipper's Permit.
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e. Allow the Comptroller of Maryland to perform
an audit of the direct wine shipper's records on
request.
f. Consent to the jurisdiction of the Comptroller
of Maryland or other State unit and the State
courts concerning enforcement of the Direct Wine
Shipper's Permit and any related law.
5. A direct wine shipper may not:
a. Ship more than 18 9-liter cases of wine annually to
a single delivery address.
b. Cause wine to be delivered on Sunday to an
address in the State.
6. “Wine” means any fermented beverage, including light
wines, and wines the alcohol content of which has
been fortied by the addition of alcohol, spirits, or other
ingredients.
7. See Administrative Release No. AB-42 for additional
information.
Section 5 - Application Instructions
1. Submit the $200.00 annual permit fee with the
application. Permit fees are not pro-rated.
2. Incomplete applications will be rejected and returned.
3. Make checks payable to “Comptroller of Maryland.”
4. Sign, date and mail your application to:
Comptroller of Maryland
Field Enforcement Division
Regulatory and Licensing Section
P.O. Box 2999
Annapolis, MD 21404-2999
For more information:
Telephone: 410-260-7314,1-888-784-0145
Fax: 410-974-3201
www.marylandtaxes.com
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