Oregon

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) is an independent state agency under the Governor. The Commission is the agency responsible for regulating the sale and service of alcoholic beverages and regulating the sale of recreational marijuana in Oregon.

Beer and wine are distributed through private wholesalers. Oregon has control of spirits at wholesale. Spirits are only sold in retail liquor locations operated and managed by state-appointed liquor agents who act as independent contractors.

Laws & Rules:

• ORS Chapter 471 – Alcoholic Liquors Generally
• ORS Chapter 473 – Wine, Cider and Malt Beverage Privilege Tax
• OLCC Administrative Rules – Chapter 845
• OLCC Laws and Rules page (Information on the rulemaking process and recent rule changes.)

Required:  Yes

Name:  Certificate of Approval

Fee:  $350

Expiration:  Dec. 31st (5 year permit)

A Certificate of Approval (CERA) is required for selling to a licensed wholesaler in the state and is approved for a five year period.

Resources:

• CERA Application & Agreement
• Certificate of Approval (CERA) Requirements

Required:  No

Oregon law does not require you to obtain prior OLCC approval, unless the label is a private label. Private labels contain an Oregon retailer’s trade name, trademark, or other words or symbols identifiable with a retailer.

Franchise Law:  No

Exclusive Territories:  Not Required

Oregon does not have a franchise law for wine.

Required:  Yes

Name:  Statement Of Wine Imported

Due Date:  Monthly, by the 20th

A Certificate of Approval holder must file a monthly statement listing wine imported to Oregon wholesalers with the Commission.

Resources:

•  Oregon Privilege Tax Online (OPTO)
• Training Materials & Resources 
• FAQs for Certificate of Approval (CERA) Licenses

Available:  Yes

Fee:  $23

Expiration:  5 years from issue date

Representatives who solicit wholesale orders for wine, cider or malt beverages in Oregon are NOT required to have a license, provided they do not conduct tasting or pour or serve alcoholic beverages on a licensed premises.

An Oregon Service Permit is required for employees or agents who conduct tasting or serve alcohol at any licensed premise in the state.

Beginning May 1, 2018, all service permit applications must be submitted through the Alcohol Service Portal on the OLCC website. Paper applications are no longer accepted. The total cost for submitting an Alcohol Service Permit Application is the standard fee of $23 plus a convenience fee of $5.65. The Alcohol Service Permit has a fee of $23 plus a $5.65 “portal provider fee” and is valid for 5 years.

Resources:

• Alcohol Service Permit Application (online)
• User Guide for Alcohol Service Portal 
• Alcohol Service Permit FAQ
• Alcohol Service Portal Announcement

Allowed:  Yes

License:  Required

License Fee:  $200

License Expiration:  Dec. 31st of each year

Label Registration:  Not Required

Excise Tax:  Required

Reporting:  Required

A Direct to Retailer Permit (Replaces Wine Self-Distribution Permit) may sell at wholesale and transport malt beverage, wine or cider that the permit holder produced, fermented, manufactured or blended directly to Oregon retailers when certain requirements are met.
There is no limit on the amount of wine that can be shipped to a retailer.

Applicants need to either obtain a minimum bond of $1000 or a bond waiver. Additionally, Oregon does not impose privilege (excise) tax on the first 40,000 gallons, or 151,000 liters, of wine sold annually in Oregon from a US manufacturer of wines producing less than 100,000 gallons, or 379,000 liters, annually. All records must be kept for at least two years.

Resources:

• Direct-to-Retailer Permit Application (replaced Wine Self-Distribution Permit)
• Direct-to-Retailer Overview
• Direct to Retail (DTR) /Wine Self Distributor(WSD) Reporting

• OLCC News Releases
• Publications: Fact Sheets and Guides for Licensees
• OLCC Guide to Supplier‐Retailer Relations
• Liquor Licensing FAQs
• Privilege Tax FAQs
• Recreational Marijuana FAQs