Indiana

Effective July 1, 2015, legislation (SB 113) removes several impediments to direct wine shipping to Indiana consumers, including the requirement that all consumers must have made a one-time face-to-face visit to the winery prior to placing any subsequent orders. Instead, licensed direct shippers are allowed to use standard age verification procedures to ship off-site sales to Indiana consumers. The new law also removes the surety bond requirement and increases the total amount of wine a direct shipper may sell into the state from 3,000 to 5,000 cases per permit year. SB 113 also changes permit fee to a tiered structure based on the amount of wine sold to consumers during the previous calendar year– all wineries shipping 1,000 cases or less into the state pay a $100 fee. Those shipping more than 1000 cases will face a tiered structure that tops out at $500 for those shipping up to 5,000 cases in the permit year.

• A winery that is licensed as a Primary Source in Indiana may not also hold a Direct Wine Seller permit or a Farm Winery Permit.
• Direct Wine Seller applicants must register with the IN Secretary of State and name a “Registered Agent” in the State of Indiana.
• Licensees must verify the age of the purchaser by using an Online Age Verification Service or obtaining a copy of the purchaser’s government issued photo ID.
• Stamp, print, or label on the outside of the shipping container the following: “CONTAINS WINE. SIGNATURE OF PERSON AGE 21 OR OLDER REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY.”.

Wineries wishing to both sell to an Indiana wholesaler and ship direct to Indiana consumers can apply for a Farm Winery permit and a Direct Wine Seller permit. Out-of-state wineries applying for both a Farm Winery permit and a Direct Wine Seller’s permit can apply for both permits simultaneously, but applicants must complete a separate New or Transfer Permit form for the Farm Winery permit.