The document outlines the role of wine distributors in the U.S. wine market, highlighting the three-tier system mandated by the 21st Amendment, which requires that wine flows from producers to distributors and then to retailers. It explains that each state typically permits only one distributor per brand and emphasizes the need for wholesalers to obtain a basic permit for trading alcohol. Additionally, it promotes the Beverage Trade Network as a platform for connecting various beverage industry professionals.

1. Role Of A Wine Distributor
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2. ROLE OF A WINE DISTRIBUTOR
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Wine Distributor: What is the role of a wine distributor?
We are focusing on USA wine market as in most other parts of the
world a winery or an importer can also distribute wine to the
retailers.
USA has a three-tier law where every alcoholic beverage must flow
from a winery or wine importer to a wine distributor or say wine
wholesaler and finally to the wine retailer. At all levels mark up is
added. But the good news is import taxes are much lower than
many parts of the world and thus you see US as one of the biggest
wine markets in the world.

3. ROLE OF A WINE DISTRIBUTOR
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4. Beveragetradenetwork.com
• Job of a wine distributor is very state specific where most of
the states allow only one wine distributor per brand. Thus a
retailer can only buy that wine from its respective wine
distributor for the respective state they are registered for.
• The American three-tier distribution system is governed by
the 21st Amendment of the United States Constitution. When
the U.S. Congress first passed this law in 1933, this historic
Constitutional Amendment overturned the infamous 18th
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, passed 14 years before
in 1919.

5. • Wine Wholesaler / Wine Distributor Information
Resources (Source TTB.gov)
• Applying for a Permit - If you plan to purchase and sell
alcohol at wholesale, you must first obtain a Basic Permit
from TTB.
Alcohol Wholesaler Application Packet - Wholesalers
(WHL), businesses which sell beverage alcohol products at
wholesale to other wholesalers or retailers must first
obtain a Wholesaler's Basic Permit.
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6. Beveragetradenetwork.com
Producers or manufacturers of beverage alcohol products need
to apply for a Wholesaler's Basic Permit only if they intend to sell
beverage alcohol products which they did not produce or
manufacture.
Wholesaler/Importer (Alcohol): Businesses which require a Basic
Permit for Importing (to import and distribute foreign beverage
alcohol) and Wholesaling (to distribute at wholesale, domestic
beverage alcohol) from the same location may reduce the
required paperwork by combining the applications.

7. REGISTER HERE IF YOU ARE A WINE
DISTRIBUTOR
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BeverageTradeNetwork is connecting the beverage
alcohol industry by bringing wineries, breweries,
distilleries, beverage brand owners, importers,
distributors, wine brokers, beer brokers and other
beverage professionals together.
Register Here

8. About Beverage Trade Network
BTN Platform is only for licensed importers, distributors, buyers,
wineries, distilleries, breweries, and other beverage industry
professionals
Free Membership Features:
1. Share your brands on Social Platforms
2. Post unlimited selling leads/products and get infront of
importers and distributors
3. Post unlimited events and news.
4. Post Buying Leads
5. Free listing in BevConnectBroker system if you are a broker
Join Now >
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