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In order to transport alcohol into or within Pennsylvania, you must have a transporter-for-hire license issued by the Board, unless the alcohol is denatured, is transported by certain common carriers, is for the personal use of the transporter, is for licensees whose licenses or permits allow them to transport it, or is merely transported through the state, without stopping.
The law prohibits anyone other than the Board, a manufacturer, the holder of a sacramental wine license or importer's license from bringing alcohol into Pennsylvania, and from possessing or transporting any liquor or alcohol within the Commonwealth that was not purchased from a Pennsylvania wine and spirits store or limited winery. There are some limited exceptions to these general rules. For example, a person may import into Pennsylvania an amount of liquor not exceeding one (1) gallon, if it was purchased in a foreign country or United States territory. Active or retired members of the armed forces, totally disabled veterans, and their spouses, may import up to one (1) gallon of liquor per month if the liquor was purchased from a Department of Defense package store. Also, consuls general, consuls or other diplomatic officers of a foreign government may import liquor obtained in a foreign country.
Liquor may be imported by non-residents on behalf of residents as a gift, stockholders of a distillery located outside Pennsylvania as a dividend or under a purchase privilege plan, to heirs and legatees, liquor purchased prior to 1934, new residents entering Pennsylvania who possessed alcohol for their personal use in their foreign residence, and hospitals desirous of obtaining confiscated liquor offered to them by federal authorities or granted to them by the courts of Pennsylvania. All of these groups, except hospitals, must submit an application to the Board, and pay to the Board a service charge.
Some situations also require the filing of an affidavit to the Board. If the Board grants the request, the person making the request will also need to pay all state and federal taxes due on the alcohol imported. Once a resident has done these things, he or she will receive a consent certificate approving the importation of the product by the resident. For further information and application forms, please contact the Bureau of Product Management at (717) 783-8237.
Most Pennsylvania residents are able to obtain desired wines/spirits through either the Board’s regular stock or its special liquor order system. The Bureau of Product Management or the staff at a wine and spirits stores should be able to provide you with information regarding special liquor orders. Sales that are made using this service require the consumer to pick up the product in person at his or her local wine and spirits store in order to verify the consumer's age.
The law, likewise, prohibits any person within the Commonwealth from transporting within, or importing any malt or brewed beverages (beer and flavored malt beverages) into, the Commonwealth unless the person holds a valid importing distributor license issued by the Board, or unless a person is otherwise exempted. The importation of malt or brewed beverages into Pennsylvania is allowed only by licensed importing distributors on whose premises the malt or brewed beverages must come to rest, who have properly registered the brand with the Board and who have acquired the appropriate territorial rights from the manufacturer of the beverage in question.
The possible penalties for transporting liquor into Pennsylvania without a proper license include a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per package (defined as a bottle or other receptacle), plus costs of prosecution, or imprisonment for a term of up to ninety (90) days, and the packages of liquor shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth.
Applications are available by calling the Board’s Licensing Information Center at (717) 783-8250, or by logging onto www.lcb.state.pa.us, clicking on “For Licensees”, then “PLCB Applications and Forms” and then choosing the appropriate packet.
