U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) recently joined eight colleagues to introduce legislation that would end a United States Postal Service (USPS) ban preventing the shipping of alcoholic beverages to consumers.
Specifically, the USPS Shipping Equity Act would end the Prohibition-era ban and allow the USPS to ship directly from licensed producers and retailers to consumers over the age of 21, per state and local laws at the delivery location.
Bill proponents assert the bill levels the playing field while increasing consumer and manufacturer choice and generating millions of dollars in revenue annually.
“While other carriers deliver alcoholic beverages directly to consumers, current law prohibits the USPS from taking similar action,” Newhouse said. “Allowing USPS to deliver wine, beer, and spirits produced across our great nation provides another option for shipping carriers. This is extremely beneficial to small craft breweries and locally owned wineries, especially in rural regions like central Washington, who struggle to gain market access. The time has come to shatter these barriers and unlock the tremendous potential of the wine and alcoholic beverage industry.”
Wexton said the prohibition on shipping alcohol through the Postal Service is bad for consumers and bad for small businesses, imposing unnecessary costs and hassle.
“I’m proud to partner with Rep. Newhouse on this long-overdue, bipartisan reform to support local brewers, vineyards, and distillers by improving their affordable shipping options and opening up access to new markets,” Wexton said.
Brewers Association President and CEO Bob Pease said the USPS Shipping Equity Act is common sense legislation that provides breweries with another way to access the market.