So what are the distribution laws for mead? I know that selling without a wine license is a no no. But I have also heard that bartering and charging for shipping is also frowned upon. Thank you. 
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Mead distribution laws?
- Thread starter Andrew1212
- Start date
Helps to know where you're from . Being from the US, my perspective will reflective of those laws although most nations will likely have a similar statutes.
Shipping alcohol through the US Postal Service is illegal, IIRC. It is permissible for private carriers to ship, though.
Sale or barter of any alcoholic product without a license is illegal. Plain and simple. The distillation of alcohol without a license is also illegal, with the notable exception of New Zealand (lucky fellas!). It is permissible to gift alcohol, however.
From my own experience, several members of my family do not care to make beer or mead nor have the space, but appreciate that the cost of raw materials can be somewhat expensive. Said individuals will purchase the honey, malt, etc. and I do all the labor. Works out well for everyone.
Welcome to Got Mead!
. Being from the US, my perspective will reflective of those laws although most nations will likely have a similar statutes. Shipping alcohol through the US Postal Service is illegal, IIRC. It is permissible for private carriers to ship, though.
Sale or barter of any alcoholic product without a license is illegal. Plain and simple. The distillation of alcohol without a license is also illegal, with the notable exception of New Zealand (lucky fellas!). It is permissible to gift alcohol, however.
From my own experience, several members of my family do not care to make beer or mead nor have the space, but appreciate that the cost of raw materials can be somewhat expensive. Said individuals will purchase the honey, malt, etc. and I do all the labor. Works out well for everyone.
Welcome to Got Mead!
Isn't there also a cap on how much you can brew per year for ... ahem ... "personal" consumption?
It's 100 gallons per person or 200 gallons per household for 2 or more adults each calendar year.Isn't there also a cap on how much you can brew per year for ... ahem ... "personal" consumption?
That is a LOT of personal comsumption.
Helps to know where you're from
You also have to be careful of the state you live in as well as each state as their own rules. Texas, you cannot have something shipped into, unless they have a TABC license for distribution within the state. This includes private citizens shipping to other private citizens. Like your family sending you a bottle of something is not allowed, and most couriers will not allow it as they could also get into trouble for doing it.
Best thing you can do is check your local laws and regulations, most of which you can find online under their official government site.
Welcome to the fun! (=
Ha ha.......
A marvellous first post......
Most start with "what am I doing wrong" or "how do I......"
So the "I have this can of worms, how can I open it" type question is brilliant
Apart from that, don't know as our laws on shipping etc, while normally quite restrictive wouldn't apply on the western side of the pond.....though I did manage to send a friend in north eastern Oklahoma a half bottle of 180 proof absinthe via Royal Mail/USPS......
And of course, welcome to the forums Andrew1212.......
A marvellous first post......
Most start with "what am I doing wrong" or "how do I......"
So the "I have this can of worms, how can I open it" type question is brilliant
Apart from that, don't know as our laws on shipping etc, while normally quite restrictive wouldn't apply on the western side of the pond.....though I did manage to send a friend in north eastern Oklahoma a half bottle of 180 proof absinthe via Royal Mail/USPS......
And of course, welcome to the forums Andrew1212.......
Ha ha.......
A marvellous first post......
Most start with "what am I doing wrong" or "how do I......"
So the "I have this can of worms, how can I open it" type question is brilliant
Apart from that, don't know as our laws on shipping etc, while normally quite restrictive wouldn't apply on the western side of the pond.....though I did manage to send a friend in north eastern Oklahoma a half bottle of 180 proof absinthe via Royal Mail/USPS......
And of course, welcome to the forums Andrew1212.......
Well this is slightly off-topic but since we're talking about shipping laws, I learned that hong kong charges duties by weight of the item instead of its value. It was quite useful when I had to return a box of cigars via DHL. The vendor just told me to enter 2 lbs or something -- I could have added a 20kg lead weight in the box and let them pay through the nose... ;D
Private courier services (UPS/FedEx) will ship alcohol, but it is technically illegal for private citizens to send things. It's for that reason that most people, when declaring the contents of a package, opt for calling them "yeast samples". My personal favorite? "Lava lamps".
Private courier services (UPS/FedEx) will ship alcohol, but it is technically illegal for private citizens to send things. It's for that reason that most people, when declaring the contents of a package, opt for calling them "yeast samples". My personal favorite? "Lava lamps".
I wonder if when you say yeast samples they give you the ol' raised eyebrows; three pounds is a lot of yeast!
One thing that I learned this passed weekend, is that in some states it is illegal to move your home brews outside of your home (I can't recall which ones specifically at this time.) So, you may want to be careful there, just in cases.
-- Steve
-- Steve
