Alaska’s Final DTC Rules Effective Aug. 23

The long-awaited final rules governing direct-to-consumer wine (DTC) shipments to Alaska will become effective Aug. 23, 2024. The new rules replace the interim rules that wineries were unable to comply with and now mirror the SB 9 statutory requirements that were the culmination of more than a decade’s worth of work by Wine Institute. Here are the two steps to apply for Alaska’s Manufacturer Direct Shipping License (MDSL) and links to all of the necessary information:

Step 1: Apply to Alaska’s Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) for MDSL license.

• MDSL Application Instructions
• $200 – Biennial MDSL License Fee, $500 – New application fee

Step 2: Apply to Alaska’s Dept. of Revenue (DOR) for an Alcoholic Beverage License for tax registration.

• There is no fee for issuance or renewal of the tax license.
• Apply online using Tax Division Revenue Online
• DOR – Alcoholic Beverage Tax FAQ

Compliance and Reporting

• AMCO Approved Common Carrier List  – MDSLs must use an approved common carrier to ship to consumers in Alaska.
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) Links – MDSLs must provide written or electronic information to the person submitting the order on fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects resulting from a woman’s consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.
• DTC shipments are subject to the state excise tax. Monthly reports and payments must be submitted to the DOR using the Revenue Online.
• Note that Alaska does not have a state sales tax.
• Limits per winery
  • Transaction: 18L/purchaser
  • Calendar Year: 108L/purchaser
• Records must be retained for at least two years.
• Age verification required.
• Prohibits shipments to an address with a zip code in a dry local option area.

For additional information, view Wine Institute’s Alaska DTC web page and the PDF of the new rules, effective Aug. 23.