July 30, 2015

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) and 24 original co-sponsors introduced the bipartisan USPS Shipping Equity Act. This bill which would end the Prohibition-era ban on U.S. Postal Service shipping of alcoholic beverages—including beer, wine, distilled spirits, and other alcoholic drinks—to consumers via mail.

“Prohibition is history, and this ban should be too,” said Speier. “It’s ridiculous that we’re allowing UPS, FedEx, and other companies to ship spirits, wine, and beer to consumers, while banning the U.S. Postal Service from doing the exact same thing. As more states allow direct to consumer delivery, we need to lift this dated ban on so-called ‘spirituous, vinous, malted, fermented, or other intoxicating liquors,’ to give consumers more shipping choices when they check out.”

Current law bans the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from shipping beer, wine, and distilled spirits to consumers, even though the market for direct shipping is booming. The ban puts USPS at a competitive disadvantage against companies like FedEx and UPS, limiting shipping options for manufacturers and customers. The bipartisan USPS Shipping Equity Act would allow USPS to ship alcoholic beverages directly from licensed producers and retailers to consumers over the age of 21. According to the Postal Service, the bill would “open up an additional and much needed source of revenue,” and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that it would provide USPS with an additional $50 million per year.

This bill is endorsed by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, WineAmerica, the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA), the National Association of Postmasters of the United States (NAPUS), the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU), and the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).