2010 Tennessee Code
Title 57 - Intoxicating Liquors
Chapter 3 - Local OptionTraffic in Intoxicating Liquors
Part 2 - Licenses and Fees
57-3-217 - Direct shipper's license.

57-3-217. Direct shipper's license.

(a)  Any person, firm or corporation that holds a federal basic permit pursuant to the federal Alcohol Administration Act, compiled in 27 U.S.C. § 201 et seq., and is in the business of manufacturing, bottling or rectifying wine may apply to the commission for a direct shipper's license under this section.

(b)  A direct shipper, meeting the requirements of this section, shall be authorized to make sales and delivery of wine, as defined in § 57-3-101, by common carrier to the citizens of this state over the age of twenty-one (21) who have purchased the wine directly from the direct shipper, subject to the limitations and requirements imposed by this section.

(c)  As a condition to the issuance of a direct shipper's license as authorized in this section, an applicant for the license must satisfy the following conditions:

     (1)  Pay to the commission a one-time nonrefundable fee in the amount of three hundred dollars ($300) when the application is submitted for review. A direct shipper's license under this section shall not be issued until the applicant has paid to the commission the annual license fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

     (2)  Execute a consent to jurisdiction and venue of all actions brought before the commission, any state agency or the courts of this state, such that any and all hearings, appeals and other matters relating to the license of the direct shipper shall be held in this state.

     (3)  Acknowledge, in writing, that it will contract only with common carriers that agree that any delivery of wine made in this state shall be by face-to-face delivery and that deliveries will only be made to individuals who demonstrate that the individuals are over twenty-one (21) years of age and the individuals sign upon receipt of the wine.

(d)  (1)  No direct shipper may ship more than a total of nine liters (9 l) of wine to any individual during any calendar month nor shall the shipper ship more than twenty-seven (27) liters of wine to any individual in any calendar year.

     (2)  No direct shipper may ship wine to an address that is located in a jurisdiction that has not authorized the sale of alcoholic beverages by local option referendum pursuant to § 57-3-106.

     (3)  Any shipment of wine pursuant to this section shall be made only in containers that clearly indicate on the exterior of the container, visible to a person at least three feet (3¢) away, that the container “CONTAINS ALCOHOL: SIGNATURE OF PERSON AGE 21 OR OLDER REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY”.

(e)  (1)  A direct shipper shall be responsible for remitting all sales taxes due resulting from any sale made under this section. In addition to all sales taxes imposed upon such sale, a direct shipper shall remit the gallonage tax as imposed by § 57-3-302.

     (2)  The taxes levied on sales made by a direct shipper as authorized by this section shall become due and payable on the first day of each month following the month during which the sales occur, and shall become delinquent if not paid on or before the twentieth day of each such following month. For the purpose of ascertaining the amount of tax due, it is the duty of any direct shipper licensed pursuant to this section to transmit to the commissioner of revenue appropriate returns on forms prescribed by the commissioner.

     (3)  Upon request of the commission or its designated agent, any direct shipper licensed pursuant to this section shall provide to the commission, under penalty of perjury, a list of any wine shipped to an address within this state, including the addressee.

     (4)  The commission may enforce the requirements of this section by administrative action, may suspend or revoke a direct shipper's license and may accept an offer in compromise in lieu of suspension.

     (5)  A direct shipper that is found to have violated this title, in addition to any fine imposed by the commission, shall reimburse the commission for all costs incurred in connection with the investigation and administrative action, including the out-of-pocket costs and reasonable personnel costs.

     (6)  No direct shipper may avoid liability under this section by subcontracting with a third party to perform its obligations required pursuant to this section.

(f)  The commission and the department of revenue are authorized to promulgate rules and regulations that may be necessary to implement this section, in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.

(g)  (1)  It is an offense for a person who does not possess a direct shipper's license to ship wine to residents of this state.

     (2)  A violation of subdivision (g)(1) is a class E felony, punishable by a fine only.

[Acts 2009, ch. 348, § 1.]