Minnesota

Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement (AGED), a Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety has regulatory authority for the issuance of alcohol licenses and permits.

Laws & Rules:

• Chapter 340A Liquor Laws
• Liquor Rules, Chapter 7515

Required: Yes

Name: Wine Importer’s License

Fee: $420

Expiration: 1 year from issue date

No person may import alcoholic beverages into Minnesota without obtaining an Importer’s license. A copy of the applicant’s TTB Basic Permit, and the $420 licensing fee must be submitted with the completed application.

Resources:

• Application for Wine and/or Distilled Spirits Importer’s License
• Importers FAQ
• Importers Application Process

Required: Yes

Fee:

• $40 initial label, $30 for subsequent renewals;
• $5 processing fee

Approval: 2-3 weeks

Expiration: 3 years from date of approval

Revision Required: Tax Class, COLA change

Complete “Brand Label Registration Application” and upload images of label and attach a copy of the TTB COLA. Brands can be registered by multiple importers, who hold and can provide authorization by the brand owner. Each appellation requires a brand registration, each year and size do not.

There is an additional $5 processing fee for each online application.

Price posting is only required for spirits.

Resources:

• Brand Label Registration Application
• Brand Label Renewals (online)
• Brand Registration FAQ
• Active Brand Lookup

Franchise Law: No

Exclusive Territories: Not Required

Minnesota does not have a franchise law for wine.

Required: Yes

Name: Distilled Spirits And Wine Shipped Into Minnesota

Due Date: Monthly, by the 10th

Any business that imports distilled spirits or wine into Minnesota must file a shipment report with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Importers must file a shipment report by the 10th of each month even if they have no activity to report. Reports may be filed on paper or electronically. There is a $25 fine for each month a report is not filed.

Resources:

• Alcohol Importer Report Overview
• Distilled Spirits and Wine Shipped into Minnesota (Form LB 37, paper)
• Distilled Spirits and Wine Shipped into Minnesota (Form LB 37, efile template)

Available: Yes

Fee: $20

Expiration: 1 year from issue date

A representatives’ Identification card is required for any person engaged in the purchase, sale or use of alcoholic beverages of more than 3.2% by weight on behalf of a licensed importer. There is a $20 annual fee for each representative identification card.

Resources:

• Application for Importer’s Representative’s Card

License: Not Allowed

No statutory or regulatory provisions allowing an out-of-state winery to self-distribute noted.

• Licensing FAQ
• Introduction to Liquor Laws: Manufacturing, Wholesale and Retail
• Alcoholic Beverage Tax Information