June 25, 2015
The Pennsylvania state Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would allow consumers to have wine delivered to their door from wineries around the world.
According to PA Independent reporter Andrew Staub, the bill would allow wineries with a direct shippers license to send up to 36 cases of up to 9 liters per case every year to a resident 21 and older.
Consumers would pay a $1-per-gallon excise tax on those purchases, “which is about 20 cents in taxes for a 750-milliliter bottle of wine, regardless of whether it cost $10 or $50,” Staub wrote.
Consumers would also have to pay sales taxes and shipping and handling.
According to Staub, the bill passed 31-18, with just one Democrat crossing party lines to join Republicans in supporting the legislation.
Under current law, consumers can order wine not sold by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) from licensed direct shippers but must pick up the product in the state store. Smaller wineries can ship directly to homes, but choices are limited.
The GOP-led House could vote on the measure as early as next week, House Republicans spokesman Steve Miskin told Philly.com.
Read the full PA Independent article here.
