ALBANY – Distilleries and cideries in New York can now safely ship products to adult consumers after a bill co-sponsored by State Senator James Skoufis (D, Orange County) and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D, Binghamton) passed on the floor of both houses last week.
The bill would authorize intrastate shipping as well as interstate shipping to states where direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping is legal and that have equivalent license classes. The Hudson Valley is home to dozens of distilleries and cideries.
“New York’s cideries and distilleries sit at the intersection of tourism, agriculture, and small business, and were hit particularly hard by the pandemic,” Skoufis said. “The direct-to-consumer bill offers support for these entrepreneurs – and the thousands of New Yorkers they employ and serve. Despite pushback, I am thrilled truth and rationality won the day. A major boost is coming to these intrepid producers and their customers.”
The vast majority of New York’s distilleries and cideries are too small to be represented in retail stores beyond their immediate vicinity and DTC will help them sell to out-of-town visitors who may not be able to carry a purchase home with them. It will also help those visitors buy more of the products once they return home.
The bill requires several consumer protections, including packaging that identifies the contents, and mandatory adult signature and identification check by the driver upon delivery. There are already systems in place with the national common carriers to facilitate compliance with this and other rules.
Once Governor Hochul signs the bill, the State Liquor Authority will issue regulations guaranteeing the safe delivery of these products to consumers through the use of a common carrier like UPS. Amazon will not be involved with the delivery of these products.
“Thanks to the passage by Assemblymember Lupardo and Senator Skoufis of this bill, our craft distilleries will be able to reach their consumers, grow their brands, and build New York’s agricultural manufacturing industry,” said Brian Facquet, President of the New York State Distillers Guild. “This bill brings hope and a possibility of a bright future for so many small businesses.”
