New York distillers could sell directly to consumers

Distilleries in New York may soon be able to ship their spirits straight to consumers as lawmakers move to support producers who have lost revenue as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

New York distillers may soon be able to ship their spirits directly to consumers

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther has proposed legislation that would allow New York-based distillers to ship their spirits to drinkers in the state and across the US. However, the new law would only allow distillers to ship to states that New York already has a ‘reciprocal agreement’ with, meaning states with shipping regulations “substantially similar” to those proposed in the legislation.

According to Gunther, the bill was brought about as the “New York craft spirits sector has been hit incredibly hard economically” as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The assemblywoman said craft distillers in the state rely on direct-to-consumer sales at their tasting rooms, onsite shops or farmers markets, revenue streams that are currently unavailable due to lockdown measures implemented as a result of the disease.

While recent executive orders in New York State have temporarily allowed consumers to order spirits online, current alcohol sales regulations in the state do not permit distillers to ship their products directly to consumers. The new regulations would allow this through third-party couriers.

Gunther said the new law would minimise person-to-person contact while allowing producers to sell their produce without the need for an in-person visit. Also, by using third-party couriers to fulfil orders Gunther said the move could “stimulate economic activity in the broader economy and ensure age verification and control”.