Special Order Shipping License

Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
Kansas Department of Revenue 109 SW 9th Street
Mills Building, 5th Floor Topeka, Kansas 66612

Phone: 785-296-7015 / Fax: 785-296-7185
Website: www.ksrevenue.gov/abcindex.html
Email: Kdor_abc.email@ks.gov

Please report errors, omissions or suggestions for improvement to this handbook to the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control by telephone at 785-296-7015, by fax at 785-296-7185 or by email to Kdor_abc.email@ks.gov.

Changes made to this handbook since the previous revision(s) have been highlighted with a light blue background.

Table of Contents

Definitions

Bonded wine premises

Means a facility registered under the internal revenue code, 26 U.S.C., for the production, blending, cellar treatment, storage, bottling, or packing of wine. [Subsection (a) of K.A.R. 14-11-1]

Bulk wine

Means wine that is sold to a club, drinking establishment, caterer, or public venue by a retailer or wine distributor in barrels, casks or similar bulk containers which individually exceed 20 liters. [Subsection (f) of K.A.R. 14-14-1]

Calendar year

Means the period of time from the first day of January through the 31st day of December. [Subsection (b) of K.A.R. 14-11-1]

Domestic fortified wine

Means wine that contains more than 16%, but not more than 20% alcohol by volume and is manufactured in Kansas. [Subsection (k) of K.S.A. 41-102]

Domestic table wine

Means wine that contains not more than 16% alcohol by volume and is manufactured without rectification or fortification in Kansas. [Subsection (l) of K.S.A. 41-102]

Federal basic wine manufacturing permit

Means a permit issued under the federal alcohol administration act, Title 27 U.S.C. chapter 8, to a bonded wine premises to produce wine. [Subsection (h) of K.A.R. 14-11-1]

Fulfillment House

Means any location or facility for any in-state or out-of-state entity that handles logistics, including warehousing, packaging, order fulfillment or shipping services on behalf of a special order shipping license issued pursuant to K.S.A. 41-350. [Subsection (o) of K.S.A. 41-102]

Hard Cider

Means any alcoholic beverage that:

  1. Contains less than 8.5% alcohol by volume;
  2. has a carbonation level that does not exceed 6.4 grams per liter; and
  3. is obtained by the normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of sound, ripe apples or pears, including such beverages containing sugar added for the purpose of correcting natural deficiencies.

[Subsection (p) of K.S.A. 41-102 effective Jan. 1, 2017]

Standard case

Means a package of original containers consisting of a total of 9000 milliliters of wine of one brand or a combination of brands. [Subsection (j) of K.A.R. 14-11-1]

Wine

Means any alcoholic beverage obtained by the normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of sound, ripe grapes, fruits, berries or other agricultural products, including such beverages containing added alcohol or spirits or containing sugar added for the purpose of correcting natural deficiencies. The term ‘‘wine’’ shall include hard cider and any other product that is commonly known as a subset of wine. [Subsection (ll) of K.S.A. 41-102]

Winery

Means any maker or producer of wine in Kansas or any other state. [Subsection (a) of K.S.A. 41-350]

Application for Licensure; License and Application Fees

Applications must be submitted to ABC online at https://www.ksabconline.gov.

The applicant shall submit the following to the director of ABC:

  • One copy of the application form. [Subsection (b) of K.A.R. 14-11-22]
  • One copy of the applicant’s federal basic wine manufacturing permit. [Subsection (b)(1) of K.A.R. 14-11-22]
  • A biennial license fee of $100. The license fee shall be returned to the applicant if the application is denied. [Subsection (e) of K.S.A. 41-310 and subsection (b)(2) of K.A.R. 14-11-22]
  • An escrow or surety bond in the amount of $750, unless the applicant is a licensed Kansas farm winery. [Subsection (b)(7) of K.S.A. 41-317]
  • A copy of the Irrevocable Consent to Jurisdiction Form (ABC-160) that has been stamped “filed” by the Kansas Secretary of State, unless the applicant is a Kansas farm winery.
  • Application fee of $30 for initial applications and $10 for renewal applications. In addition, there is a $20 modernization fee assessed on all application types (initial and renewal). These fees are all nonrefundable. [Subsection (g)(7) of K.S.A. 41-317]

The applicant may pay either the full amount of the license fee or may pay half of the license fee at the time of application. The remaining half of the license fee, plus 10 percent of the remaining balance, is due one year from the date on which the license was issued. Failure to pay the remaining license fee and 10 percent fee timely will result in the license being canceled.

Once all of the required documents and forms have been received, required fees have been paid, and required bonds have been posted, the director of ABC shall enter an order either granting or denying the license. This time period may be extended for another 30 days upon the written consent of the applicant. If the director of ABC fails to enter an order within the 30 days or extended time, then the license shall be deemed to be denied. [K.S.A. 41319]

If the license is issued, it shall be valid for two years from the date specified on the license. [Subsection (b)(1) of K.S.A. 41-350]

An order by the director denying a license shall state the reason(s) therefore. The order denying a license is appealable to the Secretary of Revenue by filing a form available from the Office of the Secretary. The form must be either mailed to the secretary by certified mail or personally served upon the Office of the Secretary within 15 days from the date of service of the director’s order upon the licensee. The review of the director’s order will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas Administrative Procedure Act (K.S.A. 77-501 et seq.). [K.S.A. 41-321]

Qualifications for Licensure

Any winery located in one of the United States that possesses a valid federal basic wine manufacturer’s permit may apply for a special order shipping license. [Subsection (b) of K.S.A. 41-350]

The director may reject the application of any winery if:

  • The application does not include all information the director deems necessary; [Subsection (c)(1) of K.A.R. 14-11-22]
  • The application does not include a copy of the winery’s federal basic wine manufacturing permit; [Subsection (c)(2) of K.A.R. 14-11-22]
  • The application does not include the appropriate license and application fee; [Subsection (c)(3) of K.A.R. 14-11-22]
  • The application does not include the appropriate bond. [Subsection (c)(4) of K.A.R. 14-11-22]
  • The applicant or its owners, officers, agents, or managers have violated a provision of the liquor control act or regulations relating to special order shipping; [Subsection (c)(5) of K.A.R. 14­11-22]
  • The applicant or its owners, officers, agents, or managers are currently delinquent in payment of any gallonage tax, enforcement tax, or any fees or fines to the State of Kansas [Subsection (c)(6) of K.A.R. 14-11-22]; or
  • The applicant or its owners, officers, agents, or managers previously held a license issued under the Liquor Control Act or the Club and Drinking Establishment Act, and at the time that license expired or was surrendered, the licensee was delinquent in payment of any gallonage tax, enforcement tax, or any fees or fines to the State of Kansas. [Subsection (c)(7) of K.A.R. 14-1122]
  • The applicant has had a liquor license revoked for cause in Kansas or another state. [Subsection (c)(8) of K.A.R. 14-11-22]
  • The applicant or its owners, officers, agents or managers are currently delinquent in payment of any tax, fees, or fines to any state or to the United States. [Subsection (c)(9) of K.A.R. 14-1122]

Sales and Shipment of Wine to Kansas Customers

Special order shipping licensees shall verify the age of every Kansas consumer attempting to purchase wine for shipment into Kansas. Verification may be done through the physical examination of an approved government issued form of identification or by utilizing an internet based age and identification service approved by the director. [Subsection (d)(1) of K.S.A. 41-350 and Subsection (c) of K.A.R. 1411-23] Approved internet age verification programs are located on our website at www.ksrevenue.gov/abcspecialorder.html.

Every shipment of wine to a Kansas consumer shall be clearly marked “Alcoholic Beverages, Adult Signature Required”. Each carrier of wine shipped to a Kansas consumer shall be responsible for obtaining the signature of an adult at least 21 years of age prior to delivering the wine. [Subsection (d)(2) of K.S.A. 41-350]

Special order shipping licensees must collect gallonage tax and enforcement tax on each shipment of wine to a Kansas consumer. [Subsection (g) of K.S.A. 41-350]

Records to be Retained and Available for Inspection

A winery possessing a special order shipping license shall maintain, on the licensed premises, a copy of the invoice or sales slip for each sale of wine for direct shipment to a consumer in Kansas for a period of three years from the date of sale. Such copies shall be made available for inspection by the director or any agent or employee of the director or secretary upon request. [Subsection (h) of K.A.R. 14-11-23]

For each sale of wine to be shipped directly to a consumer in Kansas, the licensee shall complete an invoice or sales slip containing the following information:

  • The name, address, and license number of the winery; [Subsection (c)(1) of K.A.R. 14-11-23]
  • The name and address of the purchaser; [Subsection (c)(2) of K.A.R. 14-11-23]
  • The date of the purchase; [Subsection (c)(3) of K.A.R. 14-11-23]
  • The quantity and size of each brand of wine purchased; [Subsection (c)(4) of K.A.R. 14-11-23]
  • The subtotal of the cost of the wine and the total price of the shipment, including enforcement tax, gallonage tax, and shipping charge; [Subsection (c)(5) of K.A.R. 14-11-23]
  • A statement that the purchaser’s age was verified and that the purchaser is at least 21 years of age; [Subsection (c)(6) of K.A.R. 14-11-23]
  • The type of photo identification examined and/or the internet based age and identification service utilized. [Subsection (c)(7) of K.A.R. 14-11-23]

Authorized Activities

Special order shipping licensees are authorized to engage in the following activities:

Direct wine shipping.

Special order shipping licensees may sell and ship wine manufactured by the winery directly to consumers in Kansas for personal or household use. [Subsection (b) of K.S.A. 41-350 and Subsection (b) of K.A.R. 14-11-23]

Collection of shipping charges.

Special order shipping licensees may collect shipping fees from the purchaser. [Subsection (b)(2) of K.S.A. 41-350]

Use of a fulfillment house

A special order shipping licensee may use the services of a Kansas licensed fulfillment house to warehouse and package its wine and process and ship orders for such wine to consumers. For more information, including specific requirements for a fulfillment house licensee, please consult our Handbook for Fulfillment House Licensees. [Subsection (a) of K.S.A. 41-353]

Prohibited Activities

Shipping more than 12 standard cases to any one person or address in a calendar year.

A special order shipping licensee shall not ship more than 12 standard cases of one brand or a combination of brands of wine to any one consumer or address in the state during the calendar year. [Subsection (c) of K.S.A. 41-350]

Sales to minors.

A special order shipping licensee shall not sell or ship any wine to a person under 21 years of age. [Subsection (a) of K.A.R. 14-11-23]

Shipping wine not manufactured by the licensee.

A special order shipping licensee shall not sell or ship any wine that was not manufactured by the licensee to a consumer in Kansas. [Subsection (b) of K.A.R. 14-11-23]

Shipping wine to a licensed premise.

A special order shipping licensee shall not sell or ship any wine to any premises in Kansas authorized to sell alcoholic liquor under the Liquor Control Act or the Club and Drinking Establishment Act. [Subsection (e) of K.S.A. 41-350]

Administrative Actions for Violations of Statutes and Regulations

If an ABC enforcement agent observes a violation of the state liquor statutes or administrative regulations, the agent may issue an administrative citation setting forth the details of the violation as listed in subsection (c) of K.S.A. 41-106. The agent shall deliver the administrative citation to the licensee or person in charge of the licensed premises at the time of the violation. A copy of the administrative citation shall also be sent to the licensee by U.S. mail within 30 days after the date of the violation. [Subsection (a) of K.S.A. 41-106]

If a law enforcement officer from any other law enforcement agency observes a violation of the state liquor statutes, the law enforcement officer may prepare a notice of the violation (Form ABC-60) and serve the notice on the licensee or person in charge of the licensed premise. The law enforcement officer shall then submit a report of the violation to ABC for review to determine if administrative action should be taken against the licensee. If ABC decides to take action, then an administrative citation and notice of administrative action is sent to the licensee by U.S. mail within 30 days after the date of the violation. [Subsection (b) of K.S.A. 41-106]

The “person in charge” is defined as any individual or employee present on the licensed premises at the time of the alleged violation that is responsible for the operation of the licensed premises. If no individual or employee has been designated by the licensee as being in charge, then any employee present is considered the “person in charge” for the purpose of delivering an administrative citation by an ABC Enforcement Agent or for delivering a notice of violation by any other law enforcement officer. [Subsection (e) of K.S.A. 41-106]

The director may suspend, involuntary cancel or revoke any license issued by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control for any of the following reasons after the issuance of a citation to the licensee and a hearing conducted by the director pursuant to the Kansas Administrative Procedure Act (KAPA) in which the licensee has an opportunity to participate:

  • Providing false information on the license application or at any hearing relating to the issuance of the license.
  • Violation of any provision of the Liquor Control Act or any administrative regulation adopted pursuant to such act.
  • No longer meets the qualifications to obtain a license pursuant to K.S.A. 41-311 or K.S.A. 41311b.
  • Violation of any of the provisions of a lawfully issued order of the director.

[Subsections (a) and (b) of K.S.A. 41-320, K.S.A. 41-320a and K.A.R. 14-16-15]

The director may also suspend, involuntary cancel or revoke any license for any of the following reasons:

  • The licensee violated any provision of the Liquor Enforcement Tax Act, K.S.A. 79-4101 et seq. [Subsection (g)(1) of K.S.A. 41-350]
  • The licensee failed to report or remit gallonage taxes collected on sales to Kansas consumers. [Subsection (f) of K.S.A. 41-350]
  • The licensee sold and/or shipped wine to a person under 21 years of age in Kansas. [Subsection (f) of K.S.A. 41-350]

The director may also impose a civil fine not exceeding $1,000 for each violation. Any fine imposed for a violation of the act shall be by written order of the director and state the nature of the violation, amount of fine, and the right of the licensee to appeal the order. A licensee will be granted a formal hearing under KAPA upon written request to the director. Fines are to be remitted to the State Treasurer for deposit into the state general fund. [K.S.A. 41-328]

Any order by the director suspending, involuntarily cancelling or revoking an existing license, or imposing a fine on a licensee is appealable to the Secretary of Revenue by filing a form available from the Office of the Secretary. The form must be either mailed to the Secretary by certified mail or personally served upon the Office of the Secretary within 15 days from the date of service of the director’s order upon the licensee. The review of the director’s order will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of KAPA. [K.S.A. 41-321]

Gallonage Tax and Sales Reporting Requirements

Kansas imposes a gallonage tax on all wine manufactured in Kansas or imported into Kansas. The rate is 30 cents per gallon on wines containing 16% or less alcohol by volume. The rate is 75 cents per gallon for wine containing more than 16% alcohol by volume. [K.S.A. 41-501] All reports described in this section shall be submitted electronically on a monthly basis. [Subsection (g) of K.S.A. 41-350, as amended by Section 6 of 2023 House Bill 2059]

In State

Kansas farm wineries who possess also Special Order Shipping license report their special order shipping sales each month using the Farm Winery Monthly Gallonage Tax Return and Report (form ABC-1013).

Out of State

Special order shipping licensees (except Kansas farm wineries) shall pay gallonage tax on each order of wine to be shipped to a consumer in Kansas. [Subsection (g) of K.S.A. 41-350] Special order shipping licensees (except Kansas farm wineries) are required to electronically file a gallonage tax return and sales report by the 15th day of each month for the preceding month’s taxes (i.e. February 15 for January taxes, etc.). [Subsection (e) of K.A.R. 14-11-23] The Annual Gallonage Tax Return and Report (form ABC-1040) must be filed even if no wine was sold to a Kansas consumer during the reporting period.

Liquor Enforcement Tax

Kansas imposes a liquor enforcement tax on all wine sold by a special order shipping licensee to Kansas consumers. The tax is 8 percent of the retail sale price (does not include shipping costs) of the wine and is collected by the licensee from the consumer at the time of sale. [K.S.A. 79-4101] The liquor enforcement tax is remitted monthly to the Kansas Department of Revenue with report forms provided by the department, or the tax may be reported and paid online using the Department’s website. [Subsection (g) of K.S.A. 41-350]

Tax Bond

Kansas farm wineries are covered by their farm winery license bond. Out-of-state special order shipping license applicants must post a $750 escrow bond in a bank doing business in Kansas or a surety bond.

Revised 07/2023