Individual Importation of Alcoholic Beverages For Personal Use

Banquet Permits, Public Records Requests, and Household Move Permits are being processed on LCB’s new web portal. Find out more here. 

Individual Importation of Alcoholic Beverages For Personal Use and Household Move Permits

There are two general situations related to importing (shipping or bringing) alcohol beverages into Washington State for personal and household use (not to sell or for other commercial purposes).

 

Household Move Permit (coming to live in WA from outside the state and U.S. / Military moves)

This permit can be applied for online - information and link below.

  • Here is a step-by-step User Guide for filling out the permit application.

 

Individual Importation for personal use (coming into the state, but not moving to Washington)

  • Any taxes or fees (if applicable) must be paid within 10 days of entering the state. To learn more about the requirements see the Individual Importation section below.
     

Household Move Permit: Moving to Washington
Individuals/families moving into Washington State, including military moves, must get a Household Move Permit which authorizes the shipment of alcoholic beverages into the state. Only alcoholic beverages for personal use can be shipped to an individual in Washington as part of a household move. They must be shipped at the same time as your household goods; however they may be shipped separately.

Your imported beverages may only be for personal/household use – not for selling or other commercial uses. Individuals/families moving into Washington will get a one-time exemption from paying state liquor taxes or fees.

  • Click this link to apply for a Household Move Permit (web application produces a permit that will be emailed as soon as the application is completed).
  • Please print two copies of your permit - sign them, then provide one signed copy to the shipping company for clearing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The other signed copy is for your records. Any federal taxes and duties from CBP are separate from the state requirements.
     

Individual Importation: Bringing Spirits, Wine, Beer, Hard Cider for personal use (not to sell) into Washington

International Border crossing: You should be given a tax form – which is also linked below (Cost and Declarations for Individual Importation Permits) the Canadian border, SeaTac, or other ports of entry.

Crossing from another state: When crossing into the state, you should download and print the Cost and Declarations for Individual Importation Permits form, fill it out and mail your form, along with your payment to the LCB. The form also helps you calculate taxes due to LCB on alcohol in excess of the duty-free amount.

How much beverage alcohol can a private individual bring into the state of Washington for personal or household use?

There is no limit on the number of bottles you can bring into the state, however you must pay any required taxes and fees (as calculated based on the details here on alcoholic beverage/s) which can only be for personal use and not for resale. You can use your cancelled check as confirmation of payment for any fees and/or taxes.

From another state within the United States:

  • A person 21 years of age or over may bring up to 2 liters of spirits, wine, or hard cider; or 288 ounces of beer from another state into Washington State for personal or household use free of state liquor taxes and fees. An exemption from Washington State liquor taxes and fees for personal use or household use is limited to once per calendar month.
  • Washington State liquor taxes and fees must be paid for amounts in excess of 2 liters of spirits, wine, or hard cider; or 288 ounces of beer.
  • See the Instructions and Cost and Declarations forms below.
     

From outside the United States:

  • A person 21 years of age or over may bring up to 1 liter of alcoholic beverages from another country into Washington State for personal or household use free from Washington State taxes or fees.
  • Washington State liquor taxes or fees must be paid for amounts in excess of 1 liter of alcoholic beverages.
  • See the Instructions and Cost and Declarations forms below.
     

How much does it cost (taxes and fees) to import alcohol beverages into Washington State?

An instruction form and a fee calculation form for Individual Importation permits are linked below:


Inheritance or Estate Settlements Exemption
Individuals receiving alcoholic beverages through inheritance or estate settlements, are allowed a one-time exemption from payment of Washington State liquor taxes and fees on alcoholic beverages. 

More Information: