Different State Regulations
Mandatory Distribution Tiers
Compliance Required
Partner You Need
The US alcohol market is fragmented by design. Each state sets its own rules, creating a maze of compliance requirements.
Each of the 50 states has different rules on DTC shipping, permitted categories (spirits, wine, beer), and fulfilment requirements. What's legal in California might be illegal in Texas
TTB registration, COLAs (label approvals), state registrations, tax calculation and remittance: all must be perfectly managed to avoid penalties and shipment holds.
Brands cannot sell directly to consumers. All sales must flow through licensed retailers. But, your marketing can still drive demand to your own website.
Alcohol advertising has strict rules that vary by state and platform. One wrong move can result in account suspensions and regulatory action.
Federal excise taxes, state excise taxes, and sales taxes must all be correctly calculated, collected, and remitted for every transaction
Regulatory breaches, frozen shipments, website shutdowns, advertising account suspensions, and significant financial penalties await those who get it wrong.
We’ve built a proven, repeatable model that removes complexity and risk from US market entry.
Understanding how the product moves through the three-tier system is essential. Here’s the compliant flow we manage for your brand.
Our structure preserves the integrity of the US alcohol distribution system while enabling modern DTC commerce.
This is the gold-standard approach for compliant US alcohol DTC. Your brand generates demand > licensed partners handle the legal sale.
Faster US market entry. Lower risk. Controlled costs. Scalable growth.
The US market entry three-tier system is a mandatory alcohol distribution framework established after Prohibition. It consists of three tiers: Tier 1 (Producer/Importer) handles compliance and taxes, Tier 2 (Distributor/Wholesaler) purchases from importers and sells to retailers, and Tier 3 (Retailer) sells directly to consumers. A single entity cannot legally operate across all three tiers in most states.
Yes, but not directly. UK brands can operate a DTC website that captures orders, but all sales must legally be processed through licensed US retailers. The retailer acts as the legal seller of record while your brand drives demand and owns the customer relationship.
TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) registration is the federal compliance requirement for importing alcohol into the US. UK brands need an Importer of Record with valid TTB permits to legally import products, pay federal excise taxes, and obtain COLA (Certificate of Label Approval).
With an experienced partner, UK alcohol brands can typically achieve market entry within 3-6 months. This includes TTB registration, state licensing, COLA approval, warehouse setup, and DTC website development.
DTC laws vary by state and product category. Wine has the most DTC-friendly regulations (45+ states). Spirits DTC is more restricted (fewer than 10 states). Our state-by-state strategy ensures you only operate where legally permitted.
Something is changing in the drinks industry, and it’s bigger than a trend. A genuine cultural shift is underway thanks to their No, Low & Mid Strength Summit
2025 confirmed that FMCG is moving through structural change, not a temporary cycle.
We are thrilled to announce that Infinity Blue Group has officially been listed on the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Export Support Directory.
