Shipper

Completing the application may take 15–30 minutes. Average ABC processing time is 60–90 days.

To begin, view the list of industry required documents (PDF) needed to complete the application.
To apply online, click here. To apply via paper application (PDF), click here. 

• Submit copy of charter status for a corporation or limited liability company.
• Submit copy of articles of incorporation or organization.
• Submit copies of federal/state licenses or permits that authorize the applicant to manufacture wine and/or beer (wineries, breweries or farm wineries).
• Submit copies of state licenses that authorize the sale of wine and/or beer at retail.
• Submit list of brands of wine/beer that applicant will ship.
• Any winery, farm winery or brewery must notify any wholesalers licensed in Virginia to distribute their brands that an application for a shipper's license has been filed. Send ABC a copy of the letter, or a letter stating you have no wholesalers in Virginia.
Have a Virginia state sales tax number. You may apply online at www.tax.virginia.gov.
• Submit copies of federal label approvals for any products to be shipped into Virginia that do not have Virginia label approvals.
• Applicants for shipper's license who do not own or have rights to control the distribution of the wine/beer identified in the application must provide written consent of the winery, farm winery or brewery whose brands will be shipped.

Conditions/Restrictions

All shipments shall be made only by common carriers approved by Virginia ABC. All wine/beer shipped into the Commonwealth shall be approved for sale in Virginia by Virginia ABC.

All shippers' licensees shall keep complete, accurate and separate records of wine and/or beer products sold and shipped to persons in the Commonwealth. Licensees shall remit on a monthly basis to Virginia ABC an accurate account stating whether any wine or beer products were shipped, and if so, the quantities and the price charged. Such report shall also include the name and addresses of the purchasers to whom wine and/or beer was shipped.

Shippers' licensees on a monthly basis shall, on forms prescribed by the Virginia ABC, report the quantities of wine and/or beer sold and shipped into or within the Commonwealth and remit the appropriate excise tax to the Virginia ABC. This report and remittance shall be required on alcoholic beverages in which the Virginia wine and beer excise taxes have not already been paid. (Virginia-licensed retailers are not required to submit excise taxes since those taxes are remitted by the wholesaler at the point of transfer to retail, but are still required to submit the reports).

Direct shipper's report—Out of State (Excel)

Direct shipper's report—In State (Excel)