Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) reintroduced the United States Postal Service (USPS) Shipping Equity Act in the Senate today with the support of co-sponsors Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Peter Welch (D-VT). The legislation will allow the USPS to ship beverage alcohol products to legal drinking age adults in states that already have legalized private shipping of alcohol.

The USPS Shipping Equity Act would not impact federal or state excise tax collection and regulation of beverage alcohol, nor does it inhibit state and local authorities in regulating beverage alcohol. The legislation also provides strong safeguards to prevent underage consumption of alcohol by minors. Safeguards like identification checks are critical to prevent minors from purchasing or obtaining beverage alcohol, regardless of how it is purchased.

Currently, 11 states and Washington, D.C. allow interstate shipping of beer by breweries using private carriers. The USPS Shipping Equity Act supports consumer choice and offers producers—many of whom are in rural or remote areas—the opportunity to reach their adult customers that may otherwise be unable to purchase the product locally or travel to acquire it.

Bob Pease, President and CEO of the Brewers Association, celebrated the reintroduction of the legislation and its ability to expand competition and help small brewers.  “Small and independent breweries produce hundreds of styles of beer, but unfortunately due to issues like distributor consolidation and SKU reductions, there are fewer opportunities to get their products to consumers. Direct-to-consumer shipping is a critical way for these small businesses to make their products accessible to the legal drinking age adults who wish to purchase them…the USPS Shipping Equity Act is commonsense legislation that provides those breweries with another way to access the market.”

Direct-to-consumer shipping serves as an important complement to the traditional three-tier system of beverage alcohol distribution. It is a viable and safe way for breweries to get a broad variety of their products to market. As alcohol shipping laws become commonplace in more states, consumers, small and independent breweries, and the postal service would all benefit if the USPS could ship alcohol in states where it is legal to do so.

The Brewers Association encourages our members to connect with their elected officials and ask them to support the newly introduced Senate legislation and similar legislation in the House, H.R. 3721. Brewery owners and staff can easily share their support using the contact congress form available through the association’s government affairs resources. Take five minutes and let your elected officials know that you support the USPS Shipping Equity Act today!