Wholesale Laws for Florida
Last Updated: July 3, 2024
Summary
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (AB&T) regulates the manufacturing, distribution, sale, and service of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in Florida, including: receipt and processing of license applications; collection and auditing of taxes, surcharges, and fees paid by licensees; and enforcement of the laws and regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. AB&T is a part of the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). The head of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is the Secretary, who is appointed by the Governor and is subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Governor.
Laws & Rules:
Supplier Licensing
Required: No
Note that licensure/registration as the primary American source of supply is required for selling and shipping any vinous products to a distributor or importer in the State of Florida. Licensure as the primary American source of supply is satisfied by completing the application for brand/label registration. The annual license fee for a primary American source of supply is $15 for each brand that requires a federal label approval.
Resources:
Product Registration
Required: Yes
Fee: $15
Approval: 3-4 days
Expiration: June 30th of each year
Revision Required: COLA change
Licensure as a primary American source of supply authorizes the shipment of vinous beverages manufactured within and without the state to licensed distributors, importers, manufacturers, bonded warehouses, and registered exporters within the state. The annual license fee for a primary American source of supply is $15 for each brand that requires a federal label approval and is scheduled for shipment to a licensed distributor or importer within this state for the purpose of being sold within the state.
Apply online through the DBPR website. The COLA Number and a copy of the label is required. You are authorized to ship your product when you have received an email confirmation of your submittal AND a separate confirmation of your payment. The annual license/renewal fee for a brand/label registration must be paid each year in order for a brand/label registration to remain in an active status. After that, the brands/labels will be set to a “null and void” status and you will have to reapply as though they were a new brand/label in order to ship them.
Resources:
Franchise "Monopoly Protection" Law
Franchise Law: No
Exclusive Territories: Not Required
Florida does not have a franchise law for wine.
Supplier Reporting Requirements
Required: Yes
Name: Wines Shipped To Florida
Due Date: Monthly, by the 10th
A report of wines shipped to Florida must be filed by the 10th of the month. The report may be mailed to the Division or submitted online.
Resources:
Sales Representative Licensing
Available: No
A salesperson’s license is not required.
Self-Distribution
License: Not Allowed
Interstate self-distribution is not permitted.
Trade Practice Advisories
Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1027
Phone: 850-487-1395
Fax: 850-922-5175
Recent Compliance Alerts