Enforcement FAQs

Q: Do I have to be licensed with Washington State to produce alcohol? 

Yes.

Q: How long will it take to process my liquor license application? 

It typically takes 60-90 days for an in-state license, and 30-45 days for an out-of-state license.

Q: Do I still have to submit Certificate of Label Approvals (COLA) to LCB? 

Yes, however you will no longer get a product approval code, and package sizes will no longer be approved. Alcohol and keg products that do not require federal approval are approved to ship immediately. Once you have submitted the COLA to the WSLCB, you can sell the product in Washington. 

Q: Who needs an Agent’s License?

• Sole proprietors
  • The sole proprietor does not need an agent's license
  • Any employee of a sole proprietor who calls, visits or emails retailers needs an agent's license
  • Any employee of a sole proprietor who calls or emails their appointed distributor does not need an agent's license
     
• Partnerships, LLCs, corporations, and their employees
  • Licensees and their employees who call, email, take orders, pour or visit businesses with a liquor license need an agent's license
     
• Out-of-state Certificate of Approval holders
  • If the out-of-state COA has an endorsement to ship directly to retailers and calls or emails retailers, they need an agent's license (unless they are a sole proprietor
     
• Wine Shipper to Consumer
  • The Wine Shipper to Consumer does not need an agent's license
     
• Application for agent's license 
  • Application for Agent's License

Q: How do I appoint a distributor to distribute my product? 

Your appointment letter must be on the supplier’s letterhead and must contain the supplier’s license number. Also, please provide the distributor’s license number and street address. Washington does not appoint by brand or territory (except Auth Rep COA US Wine and Auth Rep COA US Beer - please contact Non-retail staff for more information), therefore multiple distributors can be appointed.

Send your appointment letter to LCB:

• Fax:      360-664-4054
• Email:  miwlabels@lcb.wa.gov
• Mail:
  Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
  Licensing and Regulation - MIW
  P.O. Box 43098
  Olympia, WA 98504-3098

Q: Do I need a federal permit to make beer and/or wine? 

For home use, no federal permit is required to make beer and wine. If the product you produce will be sold, then you need a federal permit. Visit the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, U.S. Department of the Treasury, at www.ttb.gov for more information.

Q: How do I apply for an Out-of-State Certificate of Approval (COA) or Authorized Representatives License? 
For your Business License Application, you will need to enter the following information:

• Under “Purpose of Application,” mark “other” and fill in the license type you will be applying for (i.e., license types are: Auth Rep COA - Foreign Wine, Auth Rep COA - Foreign Beer, Auth Rep COA - US Wine, Auth Rep COA - US Beer, Wine Out-of-State Certificate of Approval or Beer Out-of-State Certificate of Approval)
• In Section 2 write your license type again on one of the blank lines
• In the fee column, enter $200
• Finish the application (most parts will not apply because you are out of state. In the business location address, enter your winery address)
• You will also need to submit the required documents
• Place all material together and mail your documents to the address on the upper left-hand corner of the Business License Application. Applications typically take from 30 to 45 days to process

Q: How do I apply for a Wine Shipper to Consumer Permit?
For your Business License Application, you will need to enter the following information:

• Under “Purpose of Application,” mark the “other” box and write in “Wine Shipper to Consumer Permit”
• In Section 2, write your license type again on one of the blank lines
• Tab over to the fee column and enter $100
• Finish the application (most parts will not apply because you are out-of-state. In the business location address, you will enter your winery address)
• You will also need to submit the required documents
• Place all material together and mail the application, fees and additional documents to the address listed on the upper left-hand corner of the Business License Application. Applications typically take from 30 to 45 days to process

Financial Interest, Coupons and Promotional Items

Q: I heard there were changes to the laws regarding Financial Interest and Ownership. What were they?

Legislation passed in 2009 permits financial interest between liquor manufacturers, distributors, and retailers under certain conditions. It is legal for an industry member to have a direct or indirect financial interest in another industry member or a retailer unless the interest has resulted in, or is more likely than not to result in:

• Undue influence over the retailer or industry member; or
• An adverse impact on public health and safety.

If a manufacturer or distributor is going into a new business with a retailer, it must create a new entity to hold the license of the new business.

Q: What should I do if I think undue influence or an adverse impact on public health and safety has occurred?

• You may file a complaint or request for determination with LCB
• The LCB may investigate and issue a violation or notice of intent to deny the license, or both; and
• The LCB may require that a transaction be undone.

Q: What is Money’s Worth?

Money’s worth is considered anything of value – directly or indirectly - given by a manufacturer/distributor to a retailer and vice versa (i.e. extension of credit, money, product, promotional items, etc.). Manufacturers/distributors and retailers cannot provide money’s worth to each other (see next question for an exception regarding branded promotional items of nominal value).

Q: Can I provide branded promotional items of a nominal value to retailers?
Legislation passed in 2009 includes an exception to the Money’s Worth law that allows industry members to provide branded promotional items of a nominal value to retailers such as:

• Trays, lighters, blotters, postcards, coasters, menu cards, meal checks, napkins, clocks, mugs, glasses, hats, visors, and similar items.

The items must be used exclusively by the retailer or the retailer’s employees in a manner consistent with the liquor license:

• Items must bear imprinted matter of the industry member only;
• Items may not be provided to retail customers; and
• Items may not be targeted to or appeal principally to youth.

 Q: Is there a complaint process for this new exception?
Yes, any person may file a complaint with LCB asserting undue influence or an adverse impact on public health or safety, or that the provision of the items is otherwise inconsistent with the requirements for the promotional items.

The LCB may investigate and issue a violation.

Q: Can I place “instant” coupons on a bottle of wine, beer or spirits?
No, liquor manufacturers, importers and distributors may not offer “instant” rebates or instant coupons redeemable at the point-of-sale, on either liquor or non-liquor items.

Q: Can I offer “mail-in” rebates?
Liquor manufacturers, importers and distributors may offer mail-in rebates on liquor and non-liquor items. Contact the LCB Alcohol Advertising Coordinator for more information.

Three-Tier Changes

Q: Is the price post and hold requirement still in place?

No, the requirement for beer and wine suppliers and distributors to file prices with the WSLCB and hold the price for 30 days was removed in 2009. Suppliers and distributors must maintain price lists at their licensed locations.

Q: Is the minimum mark-up requirement still in place?

No, the requirement that suppliers mark-up prices to distributors or retailers and that distributors mark-up their prices to retailers by 10 percent of production/acquisition cost was removed in 2009. No price may be below acquisition cost.

Q: Can distributors provide samples to retailer accounts?
Yes, in order to promote their products, distributors may provide samples to retailers under specific conditions:

• Wine
  • A distributor may furnish a sample of wine to a retail licensee who has not previously purchased that brand/type or vintage year 
  • One sample may be provided free to each licensed grocery store, wine shop, restaurant, and tavern
  • The sample is limited to not more than one liter of any brand and type of wine
  • If a particular wine is not available from the manufacturer in the standard 750 ml size bottle, the next largest size may be provided
• Beer
  • Not more than 72 ounces of any brand and type of beer may be provided
  • “Free fills” and “free with” offers are not allowed. This includes new accounts
  • Free product (beyond the acceptable sample) may not be provided to any retail licensee

Remember:

• If a retail business already carries or sells a particular wine, a sample of that wine may not be provided
• If a retail business has already purchased a particular wine from any distributor, than that retailer may not receive any free samples of that wine from any distributor
• The samples provided to retailers must be marked on the bottles as “samples for licensees.” The retailer may not sell these samples to their customers
• A distributor may not provide wine samples to a retailer’s customers

Q: Can distributors provide samples to retailers for their in-store customer tastings?

No, a distributor cannot supply a retail store or restaurant with any wine or beer for retail customers to “sample.” Customers must purchase alcohol from a retailer at or above acquisition cost.

Education

Q: Can I offer instructional courses to licensed retailers?

Yes, breweries, micro breweries, domestic wineries, distilleries, distributors, certificate of approval holders, or a licensed agent may offer instructional courses for licensees and their employees, including chefs, on the subject of beer, wine, or spirits, including but not limited to, the history, nature, values, and characteristics of beer, wine, or spirits, the use of wine lists, and the methods of presenting, serving, storing, and handling beer, wine, or spirits, and what wines go well with different types of food.

Q: Can I provide the materials needed to conduct the course?

Yes, you may provide the beer, wine, or spirits and such other equipment, materials, and utensils needed to conduct your course. The course may be held at your business, at the premises of a retail licensee, or elsewhere within the state.

Q: Can I conduct educational activities for consumers on the licensed premises of retailer?

Yes, breweries, micro breweries, domestic wineries, distilleries, distributors, certificate of approval holders, or a licensed agent may conduct educational activities or provide product information to the consumer on the licensed premises of a retailer.

Any samples provided to the consumer must come from the retailer's own stock.

Q: What kind of information can I provide?

Your activity may include information on the history, nature, quality, and characteristics of a wine, beer, or spirits, methods of harvest, production, storage, handling, and distribution, and the general development of the wine, beer, and spirits industry.

Q: Can I be paid for the educational activities?

You may not receive compensation or financial benefit from the educational activities or product information. The promotional value of such courses or information is not considered advancement of money or of moneys' worth.

Licensing

Q: Do I need a federal permit to make wine?
If the product you produce will be sold, then you need a federal permit along with a state liquor license. Visit the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, U.S. Department of the Treasury, at http://www.ttb.gov/ for more information about federal permits.

Q: Can I have a restaurant license if I have a winery?
Yes. Recent law changes allow a separate retail location. There will need to be a separate entity for this second business.

Q: Can a domestic winery have a warehouse off the winery premises?
Yes, domestic wineries operating as distributors of their own product may apply for one warehouse located off the winery premises and not located at their additional location.

You must complete a Business License Application and Non-Retail Liquor and Cannabis Board Addendum for the warehouse through the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service. The application will then go through the LCB licensing process.

Q: How many tasting rooms can a winery have? 

A winery can have one tasting room on the premises of their winery and at four additional locations (no production or distribution is allowed). Employees serving wine for on-premises consumption must have a Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) permit.

Q: Are MAST permits required at wineries?
MAST permits are not required at the production facility. However, they are required at the additional location where wine is offered for on-premises consumption.

Q: What is allowed at my additional location?
You may sell drinks by the glass of wine of your own production, sell bottles to go and offer food.

Q: Can wineries share spaces with other wineries at the others’ production facility?
Yes, an off-site winery can share a tasting room at another producing winery. Both wineries would need to use one of their additional location privileges in order to allow the joint tasting rooms at this one location.

Q: Can a winery pour wine off their winery premises?
Yes, but only at the following:

• A winery’s additional location. 
• Special-occasion licensed events – wine must be pre-sold to the licensee
• Beer/wine specialty shops – wine must be pre-sold to the licensee
• Private clubs – wine must be pre-sold to the licensee
• Restaurants that are licensed to sell wine for on-premises consumption – wine must be pre-sold to the licensee
• Grocery store sampling event – wine must be pre-sold to the licensee

Q: What happens at the LCB’s initial inspection of a winery?

• The enforcement officers will review the floor plan, measure wall separations, etc.
• The officer will also review liquor laws specific to winery licenses with you, and go over the following briefing forms:
  • Winery
  • Winery – Additional Location

Q: How can I find out about state requirements about sanitation and waste water?
Please contact the State Department of Agriculture for information.

Q: When are tax reports due?

Tax reports must be submitted or postmarked on or before the 20th of the month following activity. A report must be filed each month, including those months when there is no activity. When the 20th falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, the filing must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than the next postal business day.

If you do not have any activity to report, you can file tax reports in advance.

Wineries may file their monthly tax reports and make payments online using LCB’s Online Tax Reporting and Payment System. The system is available 24 hours a day, allows you to view previously filed reports, and is secure and confidential.

Additional information can be found on the Beer and Wine Tax Reporting page.

Q: How can wineries participate in a special occasion event?

• A winery can donate product to a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation or association
• A winery can pour and educate the public about their wine
• Please remember that the event is operated by the special occasion licensee, not the manufacturer
• A winery may not sell wine to the public during these events
• A winery may not donate money of any kind to these events (booth fees, sponsorship, etc.)
• The LCB does not currently offer portable licenses for wineries.

Q: Where can I learn more about special occasion events?
Check out the special occasion licenses FAQ page.

Q: What personal services can a winery offer?

Personal services performed by wineries at a licensed retail premises are intended to inform, educate, or enhance a customer’s knowledge or experience of the manufacturer’s product. Personal services may include bottle signings, pouring at events, and similar activities.

Winery may not require performance of personal services as a condition for selling alcohol to the retail licensee.

Q: Can bonded wine warehouses handle bottled wine for wineries?

Yes. Reasons include:

• Packaging and repackaging services 
• Bottle labeling services
• Creating gift baskets or variety packs that may or may not include non-wine products
• Picking, packing, and shipping wine orders directly to consumers

Q: Can I make homemade wine at my home for private consumption?
Yes. A license is not required if the wine is for private consumption and is not for sale.

Please note:

• Homemade wine is not required to be consumed in the home where it was produced.
• Homemade wine may be removed from the home for private consumption. 
• The amount of homemade wine an adult may remove from the home is 20 gallons. 
• Use of homemade wine at organized affairs, exhibitions, or competitions is considered private consumption.

Q: What information must be on wine packages and labels?

• Identity and quality of the wine
• Alcohol content
• Net contents
• Name of the producer, manufacturer, or bottler

Q: What are the standards for claiming or implying that the appellation of origin is “Washington?”

• If the label states “Washington,” at least 95 percent of the grapes used in the production of the wine must have been grown in Washington.
• If the label states “Washington” and the name of an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located wholly within Washington, at least 95 percent of the grapes used in the production of the wine must have been grown in Washington.
• If the label states “Washington” and the name of an AVA located in both Washington and an adjoining state, at least 95 percent of the grapes used in the production of the wine must have been grown in the AVA or in Washington.
• The standards do not apply to wine produced with the addition of wine spirits, brandy, or alcohol.
• The standards apply to wine made from grapes harvested after December 31, 2009.

Q: Can wineries use common carriers?

Yes, in-state and out-of-state wineries can use common carriers for shipping up to 100 cases of their own products directly to licensed retailers.

Q: I heard there was a state tax increase on beer in Washington. Where can I learn more? 
The Washington State beer tax high rate increased June 1, 2010. The rate does not apply to Washington State Microbreweries, Domestic breweries, or Out-of-State beer producers who have been approved to report and pay at the reduced tax rate.

• LCB Fact Sheet on Washington State Beer Tax

Q: When are tax reports due? 
Tax reports must be submitted or postmarked on or before the 20th of the month following activity. A report must be filed each month, including those months when there is no activity. When the 20th falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, the filing must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than the next postal business day.

If you do not have any activity to report, you can file tax reports in advance.

Breweries may file their monthly tax reports and make payments online using the WSLCB’s Online Tax Reporting and Payment System. The system is available 24 hours a day, allows you to view previously filed reports, and is secure and confidential.

Additional information is available on the Beer and Wine Tax Reporting page.

Q: Can a microbrewery have a warehouse off the microbrewery premises? 
Yes, microbreweries operating as a distributor of their own products may maintain one warehouse off the microbrewery premises.

You must complete a Business License Application and Non-Retail Liquor and Cannabis Board Addendum for the warehouse through the Washington State Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service. The application will then go through the WSLCB licensing process.

Q: Can a domestic brewery or microbrewery hold a retail liquor license? 
Yes, the brewery or microbrewery licensee may hold up to two retail liquor licenses operated on or off the premises of the brewery or microbrewery. The retail license can be a tavern; beer and/or wine restaurant; or a spirits/beer/wine restaurant.

You must complete a Business License Application and Non-Retail Liquor and Cannabis Board Addendum through the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service. The application will then go through the WSLCB licensing process.

Q: Can a microbrewery holding a spirits/beer/wine restaurant or beer/wine restaurant hold a caterer’s endorsement? 
Yes. You must complete an Application for Added Endorsement.

Q: Can I contract produce beer for someone else?

• An in-state microbrewery can contract produce for another in-state microbrewery.
• Both microbreweries must be a bona fide microbrewery and produce malt beverages.
• Both microbreweries must claim production against their allotted 60,000 barrels.
• There must be a written contract between the two microbreweries.

Q: Do I need a federal permit to make beer? 
If the product you produce will be sold, then you need a federal permit along with a state liquor license. Visit the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, U.S. Department of the Treasury, at www.ttb.gov/ for more information about federal permits.

Q: Can I make homemade beer at my home for private consumption? 
Yes. A license is not required if the beer is for private consumption and is not for sale.

• Homemade beer is not required to be consumed in the home where it was produced.
• Homemade beer may be removed from the home for private consumption.
• The amount of homemade beer an adult may remove from the home is 20 gallons.
• Use of homemade beer at organized affairs, exhibitions, or competitions is considered private consumption.

Q: What is allowed at my additional location? 
You may sell drinks by the glass of beer of your own production, sell bottles to go, and offer food.

Q: Can a brewery pour beer off their brewery premises? 
Yes, but only at the following:

• At a grocery store sampling event.
• A beer tasting exhibition (event designed specifically for beer) or judging event.

Q: What happens at LCB’s initial inspection of a brewery?

• The enforcement officers will review the floor plan, measure wall separations, etc. 
• The officer will also review liquor laws specific to brewery licenses with you, and go over the following briefing form:
  • Brewery

Q: How can breweries participate in a special occasion event?

• A brewery can donate product to a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation or association.
• Please remember that the event is operated by the special occasion licensee, not the manufacturer.
• A brewery may not sell beer to the public during these events.
• A brewery may not donate money of any kind to these events (booth fees, sponsorship, etc.)
• We do not currently offer portable licenses for breweries.

Q: How many gallons of spirits can I produce as a craft distiller?
A craft distillery can produce 150,000 gallons or less a year.

Q: How much product can I sell to customers at my craft distillery? 
There is no limit to the amount of product you may sell of your own production for off-premises consumption. Sales must be reported monthly to the Liquor and Cannabis Board (see below).

Q: When are my tax reports due? 
Tax reports must be postmarked on or before the 20th of the month following activity. A report must be filed each month, including those months when there is no activity. When the 20th falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, the filing must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than the next postal business day. If you do not have any activity to report, you can file tax reports in advance.

Q: I want to make small amounts of distilled spirits as a hobby. Is this legal? 
No, it is illegal to produce distilled spirits without a license. 

Q: Can I have a tasting room? 
Yes, you may have a tasting room that is physically separated from the production site. Retail sampling and sales cannot occur in the TTB bonded area.

Q: Can I offer free samples, or sell samples to customers? 
A craft distillery may offer a maximum of two ounces per person per day free of charge or charged at the distillery. An employee involved in the service of samples must have a Mandatory Alcohol Server Training permit. You must report these samples on your Craft Distillery Tax Form.

Q: Can I put soda or water in my samples? 
Samples may be adulterated with non-alcoholic mixers, mixers of the distillers own production, water, and/or ice.

Q: Can I have outdoor seating? 
No. Outside seating is only approved for on premise licensees.  Distilleries are off premise licensees.

Q: Can I ship directly to Washington Consumers? 
Yes. Distilleries/craft distilleries will need to file an application (form number LIQ 756) for direct to consumer shipments.

Q: How can craft distilleries participate in a special occasion event?

• A distillery or representative of a distillery can donate product to a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit.
• A distillery representative can pour and educate the public about their spirits.
• Please remember that the event is operated by the special occasion licensee, not the manufacturer.
• A distillery may not sell spirits to the public during these events.
• A distillery may not donate money of any kind to these events (booth fees, sponsorship)

Q: Can I extend credit on alcohol? 
No, payment must be received at the time of delivery.

Q: Can I leave product and come back later for a check or have the business mail it? 
No, a retail licensee must pay cash for beer and wine prior to or at the time of delivery.

The following forms of payment are recognized as cash payment:

• Cash
• Checks
• Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
• Prepaid accounts
• Credit/debit cards

Q: What if a check, EFT transaction, or credit/debit card transaction is reported as having nonsufficient funds (NSF)? 
Any transaction reported as having nonsufficient funds (NSF) will be considered an extension of credit, in violation of RCW 66.28.010(1).

If a transaction is reported as NSF:

• The retailer must pay the full amount of the transaction to the industry member by 3 p.m. on the first business day following receipt of the NSF report.
• If the retailer does not make payment by this time, the industry member must report the NSF transaction to their local LCB enforcement office by 5 p.m. the next business day following receipt of the NSF report.
• The enforcement office will contact the retailer, who will have until 3 p.m. the next business day to pay the NSF transaction. If the retailer does not pay the industry member by this time, LCB will issue an administrative violation notice to the retailer.
• Until the NSF transaction is paid:
  • The industry member who received the NSF transaction will not deliver any beer or wine to the retailer
  • It is the responsibility of the retailer to not receive any beer or wine from any industry member

Q: Can I pick up wine from retailers? 
Yes, but only under the following conditions:

• Over-aged wine
  • Wine that is not in suitable condition for sale may be returned to you provided it is immediately replaced with identical quantity, type and brand of wine
  • If the brand of wine is not presently in the wine distributor’s stock and is not available in the immediate future, a cash refund may be made to the retailer upon approval by the WSLCB
     
• Delivery error
  • If wine that was delivered was not what was ordered, it may either be replaced with ordered product or a cash refund may be made upon prior WSLCB approval
  • The error must be corrected within eight days of the original delivery date
     
• Discontinued business
  • The retailer must be going out of business of selling wine at retail, and discontinuing the wine liquor license at that location
  • Wine may be returned and a cash refund may be made upon prior WSLCB approval
  • Verification in writing by the LCB must be received prior to any product being picked up
     

Q: Can I pick up beer from retailers? 
Yes, but only under the following conditions:

• Keg beer:
  • The beer is defective (unfit for human consumption) or in a defective keg
  • The defective beer or container must be reported within 10 days of discovery to the distributor
     
• Packaged beer:
  • The beer is not in suitable condition for sale and/or over-aged
  • It must be immediately replaced with an identical quantity, type and brand of beer
  • If the particular brand isn’t available in the immediate future, a cash refund may be made to the retailer
     
• Delivery error (same as wine – see above)
   
• Discontinued business (same as wine – see above)

Q: When is the return of beer or wine prohibited?
Beer or wine may not be returned to distributors in the following cases:

The retailer:

• Damaged the product
• No longer likes the product
• Ordered too much
• Doesn’t want the product that the sales representative ordered that has been delivered and paid for
• Changed locations
• The retailer’s customer:
• Damaged product
• Ordered the product but no longer wants it
• An error in delivery was made, but it was not corrected within eight days of the delivery date

Q: What point-of-sale items can manufacturers, importers and distributors furnish to retailers?

Brand advertisement: Brand signs and point-of-sale material cannot have value to the retailer except as brand advertisement. The brand signs and point-of-sale material are the property and responsibility of the manufacturer, importer or distributor.

Giant inflatables (inflated beer cans, bottles, and banners) may be provided for display purposes inside the licensed premises if the following conditions are met:

Novelty items are not provided by manufacturers, importers, or distributors to customers in conjunction with the display;
Inflatables are not targeted or appeal principally to youth; and
The display will be removed if objected to by local officials, or if the WSLCB finds it contrary to the public interest.
People in costumes representing beer, wine, or liquor manufacturers are allowed if they meet the following terms:

The person in costume:

• May socialize with costumers
• May not conduct work activities the retail employees would normally conduct
• May not provide novelty items or drinks to customers
• Must comply with the lewd conduct regulations (WAC 314-11-050);
• May not be targeted or appeal principally to youth
• The WSLCB may prohibit the use of people in costumes if the use is contrary to the public interest.
• Functional items not allowed: Signs that have a functional value, such as those that provide illumination for cash registers, pool tables, etc., are not allowed.

Q: What services can a distributor provide at a licensed premises? 
A manufacturer, distributor, importer, or his/her licensed agent may perform the following services for a retailer:

• Build, rotate, and restock displays, using filled cases, bottles or cans of his/her brands only, from stock or inventory owned by the retailer
• Rotate, rearrange or replenish bottles or cans of his/her brands only on shelves or in the refrigerators. He/she is prohibited from rearranging or moving displays in such a manner as to cover up, hide or reduce the space or display of the products of another manufacturer, distributor or importer
• Move or handle products of any other manufacturer, importer or distributor on the premises of any retail licensee if reasonable notice (24 hours) is given to other interested manufacturers, distributors or their agents and such activity occurs during normal business hours or upon hours that are mutually agreed
• Provide price cards and price goods of his/her own brands
• Replace outdated canned or bottled beer or wine with identical like product
• Provide point-of-sale advertising material and brand signs. Signs can state product name/logo, package and price
• Provide banners that advertise the liquor brand identification, size and price. Customized banners must be sold to retailers

Q: What services are prohibited? 
Distributors may not advance money’s worth to retailers.

Retail licensees and their employees are prohibited from, directly or indirectly, soliciting, receiving from, or giving or offering to any manufacturer, distributor or importer, or his employee, any gifts, discounts, loans of money, premiums, rebates, free liquor of any kind, and treats or services of any nature except such services that are authorized by regulation.

Retailers may not request the following from manufacturers, distributors, or importers:

• Free product or cash
• Free non-alcohol beverage fills or free signage/banners in exchange for new alcohol beverage product placement or product displays
• Pick up of damaged or broken product
• Free repacking of materials such as six pack holders and plastic hi-cone rings
• Pick up of products that do not sell
• Pick up of discontinued products
• Request that distributors return later to receive payment for beer or wine
• Trade out product that is discontinued by the retailer
• Trade out flavors or varietals for other types
• Repacking of products
• Clean or repair shelves or coolers
• Rent or loan of equipment
• Move someone else’s products without proper notification
• Pick up or replacement of product that was damaged by a retailer’s employee or a retailer’s customer

It is illegal for retailers to request that beer and/or wine distributors:

• Pay for space in cold boxes, shelves, or floor displays
• Give free tickets to events or tradeshows for friends and/or family members that are not involved in the retailer’s business
• Give free product for annual golf tournaments or picnics
• Make deals on soda and water in exchange for shelf space
• Give quantity discounts
• Extend credit on beer or wine

Q: Can a supplier appoint more than one distributor? 
Yes, two wholesale distributors can be appointed to sell the same brands by a supplier. This is called dualing when two distributors sell in the same county or to the same retail licensee. In most instances, a written contract/appointment letter is usually provided to the WSLCB which designates the counties or specific brands that each wholesaler will represent in each market area.