Craft Distiller Direct Shipper Permit

California law requires that, beginning January 1, 2026, a Type 94 Direct Shipper permit will be required for California craft distillers or qualifying out-of-state distillers to ship spirits they manufacture or produce directly to California consumers. A qualifying out-of-state distiller is a distiller licensed in another state that meets the conditions necessary to be considered a craft distiller under California law, including, but not limited to, that they manufacture or produce no more than 150,000 gallons of distilled spirits per fiscal year and that 65 percent of the total volume be manufactured by the licensee.

All spirits shipped under a Type 94 permit must comply with Business and Professions Code section 23504.5, including, but not limited to:

1. The amount shipped must not exceed the equivalent of 2.25 liters in any combination of prepackaged containers per day per consumer and shall be solely for the consumer’s personal use and not for resale.
2. The permit holder must maintain adequate records of the shipments and provide those records to the department upon request.
3. The permit holder must require the common carrier to obtain the signature of any individual 21 years of age or older before delivering any distilled spirits shipped to an individual in this state.
4. The containers in which the distilled spirits are shipped must be conspicuously labeled with the words: “Contains Alcohol: Signature of person age 21 years or older required for delivery.”
5. Shipments may not occur while the permit holder’s license is suspended.

By acquiring the permit, the permit holder located in another state agrees to report to ABC at the end of the calendar year the amount of spirits shipped into California, and in-state craft distillers remain subject to their annual reporting requirements under current law. Shipments occurring without a valid direct shipper permit issued by ABC is a misdemeanor and may subject a manufacturing license in California or another state to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, suspension or revocation.

Applicants should be aware that the direct shipper authorization is currently scheduled to repeal January 1, 2027, and any Type 94 permits issued by ABC will only be valid for calendar year 2026. The Legislature may extend or modify this law before it sunsets at the end of next year.

ABC plans to begin accepting applications for the permit on December 15, 2025. Those interested in acquiring the permit should apply through their local ABC district office or may print and fill out the required forms from the ABC website.

Frequently Asked Questions