With the rise of mobile apps that allow consumers to order alcoholic beverages for home delivery, many wine, beer, and liquor stores are eager to get in on the action.In many states, home delivery of alcohol is not addressed by the law.Some states allow it if the seller already has a retail license to sell alcoholic beverages to consumers.You don't need a separate license to start a liquor delivery service, but a regular retail license is required.Home delivery of alcoholic beverages is regulated by the state licensing board.
Step 1: Call the state licensing board.
States that allow delivery of alcoholic beverages to private homes regulate delivery licenses through the same licensing board that regulates the sale of alcohol generally.You have to find out if the state licensing board allows home delivery.Some states have laws that allow it.Home delivery is allowed in some states.Licensing boards have different approaches when it comes to home delivery.Home delivery is allowed in many states.Customers have to pay for the alcohol on site and have it delivered later.
Step 2: You can choose a license type.
You need a retail license to sell alcoholic beverages in most states that deal with liquor delivery services.Before you can start a liquor delivery service, you have to get a retail license.Do you want to deliver spirits, beer, wine, or all of the above?Different types of alcoholic beverages need different retail licenses in some states.Many states have separate licenses for selling spirits.If you meet the basic license requirements, you can get a license to sell beer and wine, but there may be a lottery for a set number of licenses.If you have questions about which type of license you need, you can ask someone who works at the state licensing board, or review the information on the board's website.
Step 3: You must complete the application.
If you want to sell alcoholic beverages in your state, you have to fill out an application form.Information about yourself and any other business owners will be required.The application form requires you to provide information about yourself and other owners of the business.If you want to sell alcoholic beverages, you'll have to identify the location of your business and get certification that you don't violate any local laws.Many states require business owners to pass a criminal background check before they can get a license.A number of other documents are needed to get a new retail license to sell alcoholic beverages.The state licensing board has a list you can follow to make sure you get all the required documents.Copies of identification, fingerprints, and background check information are some of the documents you must submit.You should double-check your application before you submit it.Errors or missing information could cause your application to be rejected.
Step 4: Do you want to submit your application?
Some states may require you to sign your application in person.Make copies of your signed application and all other required documents before you submit them to your state licensing board.You have to pay a fee to apply for a retail license.Typically, this fee is at least $100.You can pay your licensing fees with a credit or debit card if you fill out and submit your applications online.If you have to submit a paper application, you can either take it to the local licensing office yourself or pay extra for a tracking option when you mail it.
Step 5: Your license will be given to you.
If you meet all the requirements of your state, you should receive your official license within a few weeks.If home delivery is allowed in your state, you can sell alcoholic beverages as well as deliver them.It will take several weeks, if not a couple of months, for your application to be processed once it is received by the licensing board.
Step 6: Make payment plans.
In many states that allow home delivery of alcoholic beverages, the customer must pay in full at your location in advance of delivery, rather than paying the delivery person when their order is delivered.In some states, the customer must come to the store in person and purchase the alcoholic beverages they want delivered in a face-to-face transaction.Some states allow customer orders to be made over the internet or by phone, as long as they are processed in-store.The customer cannot pay the delivery driver using any method of payment, because alcoholic beverages must be purchased in advance.Check with your state licensing board to make sure you have the appropriate methods of payment and identification in place.The rules for home delivery of alcoholic beverages differ from state to state.
Step 7: The delivery times are set.
Normally, you can deliver orders during the retail hours of your business.The days of the week and times you are allowed to deliver alcoholic beverages to customers may be restricted by your state's law.Some states don't allow the delivery of alcoholic beverages after dark, even if your store is open late.In states where customers are required to make their purchases in person for later delivery, you may be able to deliver on days when you can't open your store.Delivery times are a matter of personal preferences as well as state regulations.Set times that suit the needs of your business while also taking into account the safety of the employees who will be making the deliveries.
Step 8: Hire drivers that are suited for the job.
Most states require those who deliver alcoholic beverages to be over the age of 21.They may have to meet other state requirements.Delivery drivers must have driver's licenses that are in good standing.They may be required to have a driver's license from the state where your store is located instead of an out-of-state license.If someone is allowed to work in your store, they can also make deliveries.Retail employees of liquor stores are required to register or have a license in order to deliver alcoholic beverages.
Step 9: Stay within the state's amount limits.
Many states that allow home delivery of alcoholic beverages place restrictions on the size of individual orders or the percentage of business that is made up by your home-delivery service.Home delivery of alcoholic beverages is limited to personal consumption.Some states limit the amount that can be purchased at once by an individual consumer for that reason, and the law assumes that if someone is purchasing several cases of liquor, they intend to sell some of it.Depending on the type of establishment you have, the amount of alcoholic beverages you can deliver may be different.Bars in Arizona can deliver alcoholic beverages to private residences within the state, but they can't sell more than 30 percent of their total sales.Liquor stores don't have this restriction.
Step 10: The vehicle registration and insurance should be maintained.
Business vehicles that are used to deliver alcoholic beverages to customers' homes must follow state regulations.When your drivers deliver alcoholic beverages for you, you should make sure they have the appropriate licenses and insurance in their vehicles.Check with your state's licensing board about the ownership of vehicles used to deliver alcohol.Some states require drivers to use vehicles owned by the business.If your drivers are allowed to use their personal vehicles, make sure they know if there are additional insurance requirements for people using them for business purposes.Make sure your employees are listed on your insurance and keep the required registration and insurance documents inside the car for vehicles owned by your business.Your business records should include copies of vehicle registration and insurance documents.
Step 11: You can search for official forms.
In many states, the alcohol control board that regulates the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages provides forms that can be used to legally record delivery transactions.Even if the regulations allow you to record your sales in another way, it may be a good idea to use a form that is available for you.You can be certain that you have all the information if you use the official form.Since inspectors are familiar with the form, they can easily read your records.If you keep all of your records as electronic files on a computer, you may want to design a form that mimics the format on the state's form.
Step 12: You have to record every delivery transaction.
Even if a specific form is not required, most states require you to keep detailed records of every delivery transaction, including the name and address of the customer.If you keep records for home deliveries, there may be additional information you need to provide.You have to record the name and identification information for the customer, as well as the address to which the alcoholic beverages were delivered.You may need to include the date and time of delivery as well.Details of the specific transaction, including the number of bottles sold and the volume of those bottles, is necessary so state inspectors can ensure you're complying with state regulations that limit the quantity of alcoholic beverages sold or delivered to individual consumers.Records must be kept for at least two or three years from the transaction date in your state.State inspectors typically have the right to inspect your premises and records at any time.