If you supply Alcohol Products for sale on Shoplazza, you need to comply with the laws and regulations that apply to your business. These laws and regulations depend on the region where your store is located and the region where you sell.
You're responsible for reviewing and using this information appropriately. This content doesn't contain and isn't meant to provide legal advice. You should consult your own legal counsel to determine how the laws in your region and the region in which you sell Alcohol products might affect your business.
If you violate a law in any jurisdiction where you conduct business, Shoplazza may remove products or terminate your online store.
Due to different regions having age restrictions on the purchase of Alcohol products, Shoplazza strongly recommended that merchants set age verification ,requirements for online stores. At the same time, Shoplazza also recommends that you indicate the shipping time and delivery time of alcohol products.
The following items and listing are prohibited:
- Liquor licenses
- High-strength alcohol (70% ABV+)
- Absinthe alcohol
Note
Alcohol commodities, as commodities circulation of beverage wine, other alcoholic beverages and edible alcohol. It refers to alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic content (ethanol content) greater than 0.5% vol, including a variety of fermented spirits (beer, wine, fruit wine, yellow wine, etc.), distilled spirits (white wine, brandy, whiskey, Oedek, etc.), prepared wine (dew), edible alcohol and other beverages containing alcoholic ingredients.
China (CN) Laws and regulations for selling Alcohol products
In China, according to the "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China " and "export food production enterprises record management regulations ", the export of alcohol products should comply with China's relevant laws and regulations, as well as the relevant laws and regulations of the importing country (region) requirements.
According to the "People's Republic of China Customs declaration unit registration management regulations "
- Alcohol producers should obtain a food production license under the law.
- The consignee or consignor of import and export goods needs to apply for registration.
- The export of alcoholic commodities shall go through export customs declaration and application for inspection and quarantine process. You can apply on single window and online customs
Additional information about selling Alcohol products in the China:
- Wine import and export trade guide
- MARITIME DANGEROUS GOODS (IMDG) CODE
- Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Import and Export of Goods
HK SAR Laws and regulations for selling Alcohol products:
Liquor is one of the dutiable commodities in Hong Kong, an import/export license is required from the Customs and Excise Department for the importation of such items. A removal permit is also required. (See "Dutiable Commodities " for details.)
United States (US) Laws and regulations for selling Alcohol products
In the United States, alcohol is heavily regulated at the state level and regulations vary by state. If you sell alcohol products to customers in the United States, then you're required to follow all federal, state, and local laws in any jurisdiction where your alcohol products are advertised or sold.
Federal restrictions
Basic Permit
According to the Federal Alcohol Administration Act , importers must apply for a Federal Basic Importer’s Permit (“Importer’s Permit”). See how to obtain an Importer’s Permit .
Alcohol labeling requirement
Your products need to comply with TTBGov - Labeling: Laws and Regulations .
- Health warnings, volume and alcohol content, ingredient content, and origin retail information
- All mandatory label information shall be in the English language
See more information on TTBGov - Labeling Resources
Age verification
You must have effective age verification practices so that alcohol products can't be purchased or received by people under the age of 21.
Note
U.S. Federal Code has a limit of less than 25 mg/kg of the food additive disodium EDTA for distilled spirits beverage products.
Additional information about selling Alcohol products in the US
- The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
- TTBGov - Alcohol Beverage Control Boards
- TTBGov - Alcohol Beverage Advertising
- Other Regulatory Considerations:Bioterrorism Act of 2002 & FDA Prior Notice of Imported Foods .
- TTBGov - Certificate of Age and Origin Requirements for Imported Alcohol Beverages
Canada Laws and regulations for selling Alcohol products
If you sell alcohol products in Canada, then you must also follow the Food and Drugs Act , the Food and Drug Regulations , the Safe Food for Canadians Act , and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations . Some provinces might also have specific labeling requirements that you need to follow for your alcohol products to be sold in that province. Before you sell an alcohol product in Canada, you should review all applicable pieces of legislation.
Federal restrictions
You must comply with packaging and labeling requirements . These requirements include compositional standards for a product to be labeled as a specific type of liquor and IP protections related to geographical indications.
Excise duties are imposed on alcohol products at the time of production or importation, see more information on Excise duties .
Provincial restrictions
- In Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, the legal drinking age is 18. In other provinces, the legal drinking age is 19.
Additional information about selling Alcohol products in Canada:
- Importations of Intoxicating Liquors Act
- Labeling requirements for alcoholic beverages
- Spirit Drinks Trade Act
European Union (EU) Laws and regulations for selling Alcohol products
If your business is located in the European Union, or if you sell alcohol products to customers in the European Union, then you're required to follow all applicable laws in any jurisdiction where your alcohol products are advertised or sold. Before you sell an alcohol product in the European Union, you must comply with the following:
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 .
- Council Directive 92/83/EEC .
- The laws of any member state where you intend to produce, market, or sell your products.
Each EU jurisdiction has different requirements for alcohol, including but not limited to the following commonly requirements for merchants:
- You must ensure that your products comply with labeling requirements , such as the list of ingredients and nutrition declaration.
- You must comply with all relevant excise duties imposed on alcohol and alcoholic beverages.
- You must have effective age verification practices so that alcohol products can't be purchased or received by people who are under the legal age in the relevant jurisdiction.
Additional information about selling Alcohol products in the EU
UK (After Brexit) Laws and regulations for selling Alcohol products
For businesses, organizations, and individuals who sell or supply alcohol in England and Wales, both in-store and online, you need to follow the rules and regulations set by the Licensing Act 2003 .
If you sell, distribute or ship alcohol products in the United Kingdom, then consider these commonly cited requirements:
Alcohol licenses
You must acquire and maintain all necessary licenses that are required to sell alcohol. See more information on Alcohol licensing - GOV.UK
Selling online or by mail order
If you intend to sell your wine over the internet or by mail order in addition to the normal Alcohol Licenses, personal and premises Licences, you will need to comply with The Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002 and distance selling guidelines .
Age Verification
You must have effective age verification practices so that alcohol products can't be purchased or received online or by phone by people who are under the age of 18. You can follow the standards set forth by PAS 1296: 2018 to help your business prove a person's age.
Labeling Requirements
Wine that you import into Great Britain must be labeled with the address of the importer or bottler, or both. You can use the EU importer or bottler’s details until 30 September 2022. See more information on Wine labeling | Food Standards Agency
Paying tax on imported wine
If you import alcohol into the UK, you should be aware of the legal requirements for duty stamps on specific alcohol products . See more information on Import alcohol into the UK - GOV.UK
Northern Ireland
Note
Different rules apply in NI from 1 January 2021 as a result of the Northern Ireland Protocol. In particular
- Registration:You need a license to sell alcohol in Northern Ireland.
- Labeling:If you’re marketing wine in Northern Ireland, you must use the name and address of the importer or bottler (if it’s a bulk import) that is based in the EU or Northern Ireland on the label.
- Online selling:You will need to provide an EU VI-1 pro-forma , if you’re importing wine from outside the EU directly into Northern Ireland.
For further requirements in Northern Ireland, please see:
- Guidance on online and distance selling in Northern Ireland
Additional information about selling Alcohol products in the UK
- Alcohol licensing
- Publicly Available Specification (PAS) code of practice standard no. 1296 on online age checking .
- Selling Alcohol Online: Age Verification & The Law .
Australia Laws and regulations for selling Alcohol products:
If your business is located in Australia, or if you sell alcohol products to customers in Australia, then you're required to follow all applicable state or territory laws in any jurisdiction where your alcohol products are advertised or sold.
In Australia, you must comply with policies for promoting and marketing alcohol set forth by the Ad standards guidelines for advertising alcohol products , and the ABAC Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code .
Each state or territory has different requirements for alcohol, including but not limited to the following commonly cited requirements:
- You must have effective age verification practices so that alcohol products can't be purchased or received by people who are under the age of 18.
- You must follow packaging and labeling requirements.
- You must ship and deliver alcohol products in full compliance with applicable laws of the jurisdiction of your business and your customers’ jurisdiction.
- You must ensure that how you advertise, market, and sell your alcohol products adhere to all legal requirements in your jurisdiction and your customers’ jurisdiction.
Additional information about selling Alcohol products in Australia:
- Learn more about alcohol laws in Australia .
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