State rules guide
Washington wine shipping & label registration basics
What an out-of-state winery needs to ship wine directly to consumers in Washington, and whether Washington requires label or brand registration. Regulator: Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB).
Summary
Key facts
- DTC permit for out-of-state wineries
- Wine shipper’s permit (“Wine Out-of-State Shipper to Consumer ONLY”)
- Law
- RCW 66.20.360–.390; WAC 314-24-231 and -232
- Fee
- $150 per year (raised to $150 on July 27, 2025)
- If you already hold a WA Certificate of Approval (COA)
- Consumer shipping is a no-fee endorsement on the COA
- Volume limit
- None, per LCB
- Monthly reporting
- Required every month, even with no sales
Direct-to-consumer shipping: getting the permit
Washington is a permit state: any U.S. winery licensed in its home state and by TTB can get a wine shipper’s permit to ship its own wine to Washington consumers. Under RCW 66.20.370 the applicant must:
- Operate a winery located in the United States.
- Give LCB a copy of its valid license to manufacture wine issued by its home state.
- Certify that it holds all state and federal licenses and permits needed to operate a winery.
- Register with the Washington Department of Revenue.
Wineries that already hold a Washington wine Certificate of Approval (COA) don’t need the separate permit; they get a no-fee endorsement and must notify LCB before shipping to consumers.
After you’re permitted: ongoing rules
- Label every case or shipping package to show it can’t be delivered to anyone under 21 or anyone who appears intoxicated (RCW 66.20.375).
- Make sure the carrier gets the recipient’s signature, verifies age, and confirms the recipient doesn’t appear intoxicated.
- File a report and pay Washington wine liter tax to LCB every month, even if there were no sales.
- Collect and remit Washington state and local sales tax to the Department of Revenue.
- Beer can’t be shipped to Washington consumers under this permit.
Label and brand registration
Direct shippers don’t register labels with LCB. Wineries selling through Washington distributors under a COA submit their TTB COLAs to LCB. LCB’s FAQ says no separate product-approval code is issued.
How Vintners Desk can help
We prepare the WA application from your intake ($239 for the first state, $199 for each additional state in the same order), list the tax registrations you need, submit, and add renewal and reporting dates to your calendar. State fees are paid by you to the state.
- How COLA submission works for Certificate of Approval holders, per LCB’s enforcement FAQ.
- The monthly report form and due date (WAC 314-19).