Will Kansas Allow True Consumer Direct Wine Shipments?

A bill has been introduced to the Kansas state Senate’s Federal and State Affairs committee that could finally bring Kansas into the family of states allowing direct shipment of wine to resident consumers.  Currently, the Kansas permit system is not truly consumer direct.  With the appropriate permits, a winery can ship wine to a licensed Kansas retailer for delivery to a Kansas consumer who has placed the order through the retailer.

While all the details are not available, the Kansas bill would allow for direct shipment to the consumer on orders placed directly to the winery without the intervention of the Kansas retailer.  The usual safeguards regarding adult signature for delivery would apply.  It includes a 12 case per consumer annual volume limit.

This bill is very early in the legislative process with no guarantee of passage.  Still, it is a positive step in the movement towards responsible legislation that allows adults to purchase wine freely in interstate commerce.  As more states realize such shipments can be monitored, taxes collected and be responsibly delivered to adult recipients, more states will continue to move in such a sensible direction.  I will track the bill and let you know how it fares in the Legislature.