Florida Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of license do I need to import alcoholic beverages into Florida?

Importers must be licensed in the State of Florida in order to conduct business in this state; if planning to import from out of the country into other states, contact each of those states, separately. The importer's license may act as a middleman between the manufacturer and a Florida wholesale distributor. Once the product is imported into the state port or state bonded warehouse, the wholesale distributor will then take possession of same and, in turn, sell it to the retail stores/vendors.  An importer's license does not allow for sales to be made directly to vendors.  The three-tier system in Florida prohibits a vendor from having an interest in a manufacturer or distributors/importers license and vice versa.  An importer's license cannot open a store and sell the product directly to the public or make sales to the public via the internet; nor have any ownership, or financial, or other type of interest with the retail business.