shipping question

I had a brainstorm this evening. While looking at shipping policies at a California winery (Castle Vineyards) and verifying yet again that Oklahoma is on the can't-ship-to list, I noticed that my home State of Georgia does allow shipments from wineries (that one, at least). So, those of you with shipping law knowledge, what would be the potential problems in buying wine online, and having it shipped to my sister in Georgia, for her to bring to me next time she visits, or for me to pick up next time I'm back home? Is this workable?

I live in Maryland so I often have stuff sent to my brothers place of work in DC. This is the way I usually address this situation and I have never had a problem.

I have also had wine shipped to hotels in states where I am on travel and then bring it back from there without problem.

And I have used some of the California businesses that ship wine purchased in California back to your home. Not sure of exactly how that one works but the way I understand it, you are not making an interstate wine purchase but instead shipping your previously purchased wine back home. It made sense to me when I dropped off the 7 cases at the shipping office and they boxed and had them delivered to my home. It made less sense to me when I can call the winery make the purchase over the phone and have the company pick it up at the winery and ship it to my home. The DHL delivery driver who delivered my wine knew exactly what my packages were and insisted that I open every box and check every bottle for damage in case he needed to verify anything before he would leave.

Mr. Grand-
Your scenario should work just fine. Just keep in mind that most states have a limitation on the amount of wine/spirits that an individual can "import" across state lines...for example, in Indiana it is 1 gallon, or was the last time I checked. That said, the chances of being apprehended are miniscule and I would hope the Excise folks have better things to do.
Bill

Mr. Grand-
Your scenario should work just fine. Just keep in mind that most states have a limitation on the amount of wine/spirits that an individual can "import" across state lines...for example, in Indiana it is 1 gallon, or was the last time I checked. That said, the chances of being apprehended are miniscule and I would hope the Excise folks have better things to do.
Bill

The only time I am aware that laws like this are enforced is when one state actually stakes out a store just across the border and arrests those who cross to make large purchases out of state. Ohio has done this in its history. Then again Ohio is home of the state minimum pricing which is to ensure higher tax revenue so they are more motivated in enforcing the law. I am unaware of these types of laws being enforced in other states.

A couple of times I've had things shipped to others when someone said they didn't ship to NY. More frequently I've served as a receiver for someone from another state, or who lived out of country. No problems. I'd just be sure that your sister understands what is acceptable as far as storage temps. Obviously doesn't need a cellar, but you don't want her storing in a warm attic, or leaving in trunk driving from GA to OK on a July day.

The only time I am aware that laws like this are enforced is when one state actually stakes out a store just across the border and arrests those who cross to make large purchases out of state. Ohio has done this in its history. Then again Ohio is home of the state minimum pricing which is to ensure higher tax revenue so they are more motivated in enforcing the law. I am unaware of these types of laws being enforced in other states.

Connecticut tried this once, back in the 1970s. CT has (or had back then) "fair trade" laws that set (very high) minimum prices for booze. In contrast, in New Hampshire distilled spirits can only be bought at the State Liquor Stores, where they can be had for retail prices significantly lower than those of Massachusetts or Connecticut. NH gets away with this because the state pockets the entire wholesale margin. One of the largest of these State Liquor Stores is just outside Keene, NH, about a 2-hour drive from Hartford, the largest city in Connecticut. Large numbers of folks in the Hartford area drive to Keene regularly to stock up on liquor.

Connecticut got tired of this and sent CT state troopers to the Keene NH State Liquor Store parking lot. They took the license plate numbers of cars with CT plates parked in the parking lot and radioed those back to Connecticut. There they presented these to a judge as probable cause that the owner of the car was attempting to avoid paying state liquor tax. The judge duly issued search warrants. The state police had a blockade set up on I-91 south, just past the Massachusetts border, where they pulled over and searched all CT cars on the list. If you had liquor in your car and couldn't show evidence you had bought it in Connecticut, they prosecuted you for CT liquor law violations.

When word of this got back to New Hampshire, the NH governor sent New Hampshire state troopers to the Keene State Liquor Store parking lot, where they arrested the CT state troopers for loitering and subsequently for resisting arrest. They were arraigned and held in jail without bail, as the NH state prosecutor was easily able to show that they were a risk of fleeing the state before trial. Once the NH governor got word from the CT governor that they were dropping the crackdown program, the charges against the CT state cops were dropped and they were released.

-Paul W.