FedEx to Begin Direct-to-Consumer Shipping to Massachusetts on Feb. 1, 2015

FedEx has informed Wine Institute that, effective Feb. 1, 2015, FedEx Express and FedEx Ground will open the state of Massachusetts for legal shipments of alcoholic beverages.

•FedEx Ground and FedEx Express will both transport legal alcoholic beverage shipments into, out of and within the state of Massachusetts starting Feb. 1, 2015.

•Please note, unauthorized shipments of alcoholic beverages destined for MA prior to a Feb. 1, 2015 delivery date may not be accepted for delivery and/or returned to shipper.

•Per FedEx policy, all alcoholic 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 that is allowed to be shipped 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 Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

(The new direct-to-consumer statute goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2015. Under the new law a winery must hold a Direct Wine Shipper license that has been approved by the MA ABCC and be registered to pay excise tax in order to ship to MA consumers.)

Wine Institute members can save on FedEx shipping by enrolling in Wine Institute’s FedEx shipping discount program. For more information on this program, contact Kara Ruecker at kruecker@wineinstitute.org.