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Virginia ABC > Products > Product FAQs > Pricing Information

Pricing Information

Virginia ABC is a leading revenue producer for the commonwealth and the source of future economic growth and innovation for the state. The profits that Virginia ABC contributes—collected from distilled spirits sales at ABC stores, and taxes collected on beer and wine sales—provide much-needed funding for use in a multitude of state programs, which benefit all Virginians. Since its establishment in 1934, Virginia ABC has contributed $12 billion to the commonwealth’s general fund supporting major education, health and transportation initiatives.

Virginia ABC’s product pricing is a process that starts with what we must pay suppliers for their products. With that as the baseline, Virginia ABC adds a per case handling fee, excise taxes and a retail markup amount that varies by product mostly based on alcoholic content. After these additions are made to the price, it is rounded up to the nearest $0.09.

Distilled spirits, Virginia wines and ready-to-drink cocktails all have varying markup amounts. 

Distilled spirits retail prices include 20% state tax. Wine retail prices include 4% state tax and $.40 per liter wine tax. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Wine and Distilled Spirits Sales Tax Rate Location
7% sales tax James City County, Williamsburg, York County
6.3% sales tax Charlotte County, Danville, Gloucester County, Halifax County, Henry County, Northampton County, Patrick County
6% sales tax

Central Virginia: Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan, and Richmond City

Hampton Roads: Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Isle of Wight, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Southampton, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach

Northern Virginia: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Prince William

5.3% sales tax All other regions
Non-Food/Beverage Sales Tax Rate Location
6% sales tax Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Sales Tax Rate Location
2.5% sales tax Statewide

Product Pricing FAQs

How often does Virginia ABC change the markup for products?

The pricing markup process rarely changes, in fact there have been no updates made since 2015.

How is ABC able to periodically sell products at a discount?

Suppliers can offer discounts on products Virginia ABC sells. They cover most of the reduced price.

How does inflation affect product pricing?

Just as with anything else you buy like bread, milk or gas, inflation rates may affect our supplier pricing causing their bottles of spirits or wine to cost more. However, inflation does not impact Virginia ABC’s pricing process. Analysis of sales in FY’21 showed that inflation had a minimal impact on Virginia ABC’s revenues.

Does Virginia ABC increase the price of products based on limited availability or high demand?

Virginia ABC’s pricing markup process does not differentiate products based on limited availability or high demand, so those factors do not impact shelf price.

Online Sales Disclaimer

Although this website was designed with utmost care to ensure accuracy and completeness, incorrect product information could result due to typographical errors and technical malfunctions. In the event that a price listed on Virginia ABC’s website is inaccurate or does not match the price for the same product at a Virginia ABC store, Virginia ABC has the right to deny the sale or cancel an order.

All product information, including but not limited to price, description, proof, bottle image and inventory levels, is based on the most recent information available and subject to change at any time without notice. Virginia ABC reserves the right to cancel an order at any point in the process, even after payment is made.

An automatic reply email from Virginia ABC when an online order is placed does not constitute a contract, and Virginia ABC is not bound to sell a product for the price listed on either their website or the auto-generated email. A product’s price in the point of sale system at Virginia ABC stores supersedes the price listed on Virginia ABC’s website. Virginia ABC will verify a price with the customer at the final point of sale, at which time the customer has the right to refuse the purchase.

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