Washington, DC – Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) and 22 original co-sponsors today introduced the bipartisan USPS Shipping Equity Act. This bill would end the Prohibition-era ban that prevents the US Postal Service (USPS) from shipping alcoholic beverages to consumers.
“This antiquated ban should be relegated to the dustbin of history just as Prohibition has been,” Rep. Speier said. “In 2016, California was America’s top destination for the direct shipment of wine, yet consumers and manufacturers are prohibited from using the U.S. Postal Service to ship or deliver these everyday products. It makes no sense to impose these restrictions, particularly since private shippers, such as UPS and FedEx, are exempt from this out-of-date rule. Congress needs to lift this ban for the benefit of wine manufacturers, consumers, and our struggling postal service.”
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, in accordance with state shipping regulations. While FedEx and UPS can currently ship alcohol, USPS is prohibited from doing so by an outdated policy that disadvantages businesses, consumers, and the Postal Service. As the market for direct-to-consumer shipping continues to soar, wineries, breweries, and other producers are confined by limited shipping options. The USPS Shipping Equity Act would level the alcohol-shipping playing field and establish a new source of revenue for USPS. The CBO has estimated that allowing USPS to ship alcoholic beverages would bring in $50 million in new revenue.
This bill is endorsed by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU), the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA), the National Association of Postmasters of the United States (NAPUS), and the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).
Congresswoman Jackie Speier Introduces Bill to End Ban on Shipping of Alcohol Through the Mail
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