District of Columbia

Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), formerly ABRA, issues and renews licenses that enable qualified businesses to sell and serve alcoholic beverages. It consists of four divisions: Licensing Division, Enforcement Division, Adjudication Division and Administrative Services. ABCA operates under the authority of a Alcoholic Beverage Control Board that sets policy parameters for ABCA.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (Board) is an independent body that meets once each week to adjudicate, administer and enforce alcoholic beverage laws. Board members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the DC Council for a four-year term. There may be as many as 7 Board members, with three members constituting a quorum.

Laws & Rules:

• DC Official Code Title 25. Alcoholic Beverages
• District Of Columbia Municipal Regulations Title 23; Alcoholic Beverages
• § 25–901. Taxes to be levied, collected, and paid on alcoholic beverages except beer.
• ABC Board Rulemakings

Required: No

The alcohol laws of the District of Columbia do not require out-of-state suppliers to register or obtain any other license or permit issued by ABRA. Under the District law, the wholesaler or manufacturer is responsible for ensuring alcoholic beverages in their possession are distributed legally.

Resources: 

•  ABC Quick Guide – Out-of-State Suppliers, Manufacturers, Importers

Required: No

Label registration and/or approval for wine products is not required.

Franchise Law: No

Exclusive Territories: Not Required

No statutory or regulatory provisions noted.

Required: No

Suppliers are not required to report sales or shipments of wine to wholesalers.

Available: Yes

Fee:

• $325 for a one-year license,
• $650 for a two-year license, or
• $975 for a three-year license.

Expiration: June 30th of each year

A solicitor license allows a representative of a wholesaler or manufacturer to transport samples of alcoholic beverages to ABC-licensed establishments on behalf of a vendor and to take orders on behalf of the vendor that the solicitor represents.  Licenses are issued on a three-year cycle. When initially receiving the license, the licensee has the option to pay for only the first year, and/or to prepay for year(s) two and/or three.

Effective July 3, 2020, a la fee of $50 per day will be assessed for any payment that is late. Late fees may not exceed the cost of the license.

Renewal applications are no longer required to be submitted in person.

Resources:

• Information for Solicitor’s License
• Solicitor’s License Application & Instructions

License: Not Available to Suppliers

A supplier outside the District may ship wine directly to a licensed retailer in the District so long as the retailer obtains an Alcoholic Beverage Import-Transport Permit from ABRA before the shipment occurs.   The Import-Transport permit may only be provided for alcoholic beverages that cannot be obtained in sufficient quantity from any licensed manufacturer or wholesaler in the District of Columbia.

The retailer is required to pay the excise tax on wine shipped under the permit and  a copy of the permit must accompany the shipment of alcoholic beverages..

Resources:

• Import-Transport Permit for Retailers

• ABC Quick Guides
  • Quick Guide: Out-of-State Suppliers, Manufacturers, Importers
  • Quick Guide: Classifying Alcoholic Beverages
  • Quick Guide: Advertisements, Discounts, Gifts, and Other Promotions
  • Quick Guide: Growlers
• ABC Board Advisory Opinions
• Attorney General Opinions
• Newsletters & Updates
• Advisory Opinion Clarifying The Storage Requirement of D.C. Licensed Wholesalers (2019-074)
• Advisory Opinion on the Storage Requirements of D.C. Licensed Wholesalers (2019-012)