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Iowa

Wholesale Laws for Iowa

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Last Updated: June 15, 2024

Summary

Effective July 1, 2023, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) is a part of Iowa’s Department of Revenue. Prior to July 1, 2024, ABC was under the Department of Commerce. Iowa holds control of spirits at the wholesale level.

State law prohibits dry localities.

Definition: “Wine” means any beverage containing more than 6.25% alcohol by volume, but not more than 21.25% of alcohol by volume obtained by the fermentation of the natural sugar content of fruits or other agricultural products by excluding any product containing alcohol derived from malt or by the distillation process from grain cereal, molasses, or cactus.  (SF 618, effective July 1, 2019, amends Iowa Code §123.3 Definitions.)

Laws & Rules:

Supplier Licensing

Required: Yes

Name: Vintner’s Certificate of Compliance (CV) – Vintners, manufacturers, importers of wine

Fee: $200

Expiration: 1 year from issue date

A Vintner’s Certificate of Compliance (CV) allows a manufacturer, vintner, bottler, importer or vendor to ship wine into Iowa for resale by licensed wine wholesalers. Applicants must sign into the new in 2021 Electronic Licensing and Permitting System (eLAPS).

Legislation (SF 2324) enacted in 2022 increases the annual fee from $100 to $200. In addition, the new law simplifies the renewal process by allowing for automatic renewal of the license upon payment of the $200 fee.

Resources:

Product Registration

Required: Yes

Fee: No Fee

Approval: 7 days

Expiration: Does Not Expire

Revision Required: Tax Class

Price Posting: Yes

The Division requires that wine and beer labels of products sold in Iowa to be submitted to the Division. Download and complete the Label Approval Form, include a copy of the COLA. Submit all documentation to Licensing@IowaABD.com.

Resources:

Franchise "Monopoly Protection" Law

Franchise Law: No

Exclusive Territories: Not Required

Iowa does not have a franchise law for wine.

Supplier Reporting Requirements

Required: Yes

Name: Report Of Shipments Of Wine

Due Date: Monthly, by the 15th

Suppliers must file monthly shipment reports through the eLAPS portal on the ABD website. A report must be filed even if no shipments were made during the reporting period.

Resources:

Sales Representative Licensing

Available: No

The holder of a vintner’s certificate of compliance is not required to register or obtain permits for employees in Iowa.  Only Class “A” permit holders (wholesalers) are required to register sales representatives with the division.

Resources:

Self-Distribution

License: Not Allowed

Interstate self-distribution is not permitted.

Trade Practice Advisories

Alcohol & Tax Operations Division, Iowa Department of Revenue

1918 SE Hulsizer Road
Ankeny, IA 50021
Phone: 515-281-7400
Fax: 515-281-7385

 

Recent Compliance Alerts

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This information is intended for winegrower licensees only. All information above is provided as an informational aid and is not legal advice. Data may be out-of-date or incomplete. Please consult a lawyer before taking any action.