FedEx Begins Transport of Alcohol Beverages in North Dakota

FedEx has informed Wine Institute that, effective Sept. 15, 2015, FedEx Ground and FedEx Express will once again transport legal alcohol beverage shipments into, out of and within the state of North Dakota.

• • Per FedEx policy, all alcohol beverage shipments may only be tendered by licensed entities that have executed a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement. All alcoholic beverage shipments must comply with all FedEx policies and federal, state and local regulations. Wine is the only type of alcoholic beverage allowed to be shipped direct to consumers.
• • FedEx does not provide legal advice to third parties. Questions not related to FedEx policy should be directed to appropriate legal counsel and the North Dakota Office of the State Tax Commissioner, Alcohol Tax Section. https://www.nd.gov/tax/alcohol

Prior to shipping to North Dakota consumers, wineries must obtain a direct shipping license from the North Dakota State Tax Commissioner and pay an annual fee of $50. Direct Shippers must pay ND sales and excise taxes and file a “Direct Shippers Liquor Report” at the end of each calendar year. In addition, direct shipper licensees must use a licensed alcohol carrier and are responsible for ensuring that any fulfillment warehouse they use holds a logistics shippers permit, and are required to identify their alcohol carrier and logistics shipper on their annual report. Both FedEx Ground and FedEx Express have been licensed as alcohol carriers by the Tax Commissioner.