Connecticut

The Department of Consumer Protection regulates all persons and firms involved in distributing, selling, and dispensing alcoholic liquor in order to prevent sales to minors and intoxicated persons, maintain product integrity, and ensure that licensed premises are safe and sanitary. Through the Liquor Control Division, the Department enforces the Connecticut Liquor Control Act and its corresponding regulations.

Laws & Rules:

• Liquor Statutes (Title 30)
• Connecticut Regulations, Title 30 – Intoxicating Liquors
• Connecticut Regulations, §§ 12-449-1 to 12-449-17 – Alcoholic Beverages Taxes

Required: Yes

Name: Out-of-State Shipper

Fee: $315, plus $100 one-time fee for initial license

Expiration: 1 year from issue date

Only one license is required for both wholesale and direct-to-consumer. The annual fee for an Out-of-State Shipper Permit to ship wine only is $315. The annual fee to ship wine, spirits and/or beer is $1,250.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, all applications for new permits MUST be submitted online; no paper applications for new permits will be accepted.

Resources:

• Application for Out-of-State Shipper’s Permit (Online)
• Application for Out-of-State Shipper’s Permit (Paper- Reference only)

Required: Yes

Fee: $200

Approval: 1-2 days

Expiration: 3 years from date of approval

Revision Required: Design, Verbiage, Proof, COLA change

Price Posting: Yes

No holder of any manufacturer, wholesaler or out-of-state shipper’s permit shall ship, transport or deliver within the state, or sell or offer for sale, any alcoholic liquors unless the name of the brand, trade name or other distinctive characteristic by which such alcoholic liquors are bought and sold, the name and address of the manufacturer thereof and the name and address of each wholesaler permittee who is authorized by the manufacturer or his authorized representative to sell such alcoholic liquors are registered and approved with the Department of Consumer Protection.

The following information must be submitted with the Brand Label Registration Application: a color copy of each label, federal label approval, independent laboratory analysis or notarized statement detailing the alcohol type and proof for each wine product and wholesaler appointment letter with geographic territory. Brand Label Registrations can also be completed online at  https://www.elicense.ct.gov/.  As of Feb. 17, 2016, a UNIMERC Number is no longer required.

A Label Registration Amendment Form must be filed for change of design and verbiage or change of proof. ( An amendment form is not required for color, shading, or label format or for a change in vintage.) Attach one old and one new set of labels to the form.

In order for a label to be considered a private label, the registrant must furnish the department with the name and address of the retailer who will sell such brand. Any labels submitted for registration without such accompanying information shall be considered to be for general distribution.

Resources:

• DCP Announces Online Application for Registering New Liquor Brands (11-2-2018)
• Brand Registration Requirements
• Liquor Brand Label Application (online)
• Liquor Brand Label Registration Application & Instructions (paper)
• Liquor Brand Label Registration Amendment
• Liquor Price Posting

Franchise Law: Yes

Territorial Provisions: Yes

Please review the law in its entirety and consult legal counsel prior to taking any action.

A supplier must appoint wholesaler(s) with geographical territories of distribution. Territorial designations are not specifically required but, once made to suppliers, actions are regulated. A supplier may only appoint another distributor in a territory after giving six months’ prior notice to the Commission and the existing distributor.

Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, a wholesaler is permitted to sell to any retail licensee outside its designated territory under the following conditions:

1. The retail permittee is willing to accept delivery at such wholesaler permittee’s place of distribution
2. The retail permittee meets any reasonable conditions imposed upon other retail permittees located within such wholesaler permittee’s geographic territory
3. The wine product sought by such retail permittee is not available from any wholesaler permittee serving a geographic territory in which such retail permittee’s place of business is located or is only available from a wholesaler permittee at a higher price.

Resources:

• CT Gen Stat § 30-17 and § 30-17a
• Regulations, Part II, Subpart A, Sec. 30-6-B16. Contracts; agreements; franchises
• Regulations, Part II, Subpart A, 30-6-B7. Consignments; return of goods; authorized distributors
• Termination or Diminishment of Distributorship Rights Advisory

Required: Yes

Name: Alcoholic Beverages Shipped Into Connecticut

Due Date: Monthly, by the 10th

A report of Alcoholic Beverages Shipped into Connecticut must be filed with the Department of Revenue by the 10th of the month. A copy of the report must also be sent to the Department of Consumer Protection.

Resources:

• Alcoholic Beverages Shipped into Connecticut (Form AU-933)

Available: No

A salesperson’s license is not required.

Allowed: Yes

License: Required

License Fee: $315, plus $100 one-time filing fee

License Expiration: 1 yr from issue date

Label Registration: Required

Excise Tax: Required

Reporting: Required

A winery holding an Out-of-State Winery Shipper’s Permit for Wine whose annual production does not exceed 100,000 gallons annually may sell directly to licensed retailers in Connecticut. Out-of-State winery applicants must submit an affidavit affirming they did not produce more than 100,000 gallons of wine during the most recent calendar year with their Out-of-State Shipper Permit application, in order to sell directly to retailers.

This permit requires a $500 bond, monthly reporting and excise tax payments.

An Out-of-State Winery Shipper’s Permit also allows the permittee to make direct-to-consumer shipments into Connecticut.

Resources:

• Out-of-State Winery Shipper’s Permit Application (under Forms)

• DRS SN 2019(3) 2019 Legislative Changes Affecting the Alcoholic Beverages Tax
• Liquor Control Division News & Policy Updates
• Retailer Purchase of Marketing Merchandise Guidance Statement
• Consumer Samplings Policy Update
• Statement on MIRs
• Quick Reference Guides