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Subchapter H. IMPORTATION OF WINE PURCHASED BY MEANS OF THE INTERNET
Sec.
9.131. Scope.
9.132. Definitions.
9.141. Requirements for licensure as a direct shipper.
9.142. Records to be maintained.
9.143. Sales of wines.
9.144. Products shipped.
9.145. Direct shippers website.
Source The provisions of this Subchapter H adopted November 12, 2004, effective November 13, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 6139, unless otherwise noted.
§ 9.131. Scope.
This subchapter is to be applied in conjunction with the Liquor Code and sets forth the nature and kind of proof required thereunder.
§ 9.132. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicated otherwise:
ConsumerA person, 21 years of age or older at the time that the order is placed, who resides in this Commonwealth and is ordering wine by means of the Internet from a direct shipper for personal consumption, not for resale.
Direct shipperA person or legal entity outside this Commonwealth licensed in another state as a producer, supplier, importer, wholesaler, distributor or retailer of wine who obtains a license from the Board to accept orders placed for wine within this Commonwealth by means of the Internet and who ships or facilitates in any way the shipment of wine by a delivery agent or common carrier to a Wine and Spirits Store.§ 9.141. Requirements for licensure as a direct shipper.
(a) The person or legal entity completes an application for a license and files it with the Board.
(b) The direct shipper agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of the Board, any other Commonwealth agency, the Board of Claims and the courts of this Commonwealth for any dispute arising out of the direct shippers conduct of business with the Board or consumers.
(c) The laws of the Commonwealth govern any dispute or issue arising from or involving any transaction or dealing between the direct shipper and the Commonwealth.
(d) The direct shipper agrees to indemnify the Board from any cause of action arising from its conduct of business in this Commonwealth.
(e) The direct shipper agrees to notify the Board if any of its licenses or permits, by which it is licensed in another state, are suspended, revoked, terminated or not renewed by the issuing authority.
(f) Failure by the direct shipper to remain licensed in another state could result in citation by the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement or nonrenewal of the direct shipper license by the Board.
§ 9.142. Records to be maintained.
(a) The Commonwealth, through the Board or the Department of Revenue, has the right to audit, at reasonable times and at a site designated by the Commonwealth, the books, documents and records of the direct shipper. The direct shipper shall give full and free access to the Commonwealth or its authorized representative to the books, documents and records of the direct shipper to the extent that the books, documents or records relate to the sale by the direct shipper to consumers and to the collection of taxes and fees and the submission of same to the Commonwealth.
(b) The direct shipper agrees to maintain records, which will support the products, including brands, vintages, volumes and sizes sold to consumers and the collection and submission of taxes and fees regarding the products sold.
(c) The direct shipper shall maintain all books, documents and records described in this section for 3 years from the date of the sale.
§ 9.143. Sales of wines.
(a) The direct shipper shall possess a valid license issued by the Board.
(b) The direct shipper may sell to consumers only those classes, varieties and brands of wine not available for sale by the Board to consumers. Those items that may not be sold by direct shippers are listed on the Boards website and are subject to change. Direct shippers may not ship or sell by means of the Wine and Spirits Stores any other items, alcoholic or nonalcoholic, to consumers other than wine not listed on the Boards website.
(c) The direct shipper may only process orders received by means of the Internet.
(d) Consumers may not purchase, and a direct shipper may not sell, more than 9 liters of wine to a single consumer per month.
(e) The direct shipper shall provide the consumer with an Internet wine order which is a numbered receipt listing the following:
(1) The consumers name, address, phone number and date of birth.
(2) The name, address, phone number and date of birth of any other person authorized to pick up the product at the Wine and Spirits Store.
(3) The selling price, total volume and a complete and accurate description of products purchased.
(4) Eighteen percent Emergency Tax.
(5) Six percent Sales Tax.
(6) One percent Philadelphia/Allegheny County only Sales Tax, if applicable.
(7) Fees collected.
(8) The address of the Wine and Spirits Store to which the product is being shipped.
(f) Two copies of the Internet wine order must be with the product package and a copy must also be forwarded to the Board electronically within 1 business day from the date of the placement of the order.
(g) The direct shipper shall collect the 18% Emergency Tax, the appropriate Pennsylvania Sales Tax, and the Boards handling fee, per order, of $4.50.
(h) The direct shipper shall remit to the Board by the 10th calendar day of the following month, the amount of taxes and fees collected from the prior months sales. This remittance must be accompanied by a list detailing the numbered receipts being remitted.
(i) Failure to submit the appropriate fees and taxes will subject the direct shipper to citation by the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, which may result in civil penalties or criminal penalties, or both.
(j) The direct shipper agrees that the Commonwealth may set off the amount of any State tax liability or the other obligation of the direct shipper or its subsidiaries to the Commonwealth against any payments due the direct shipper under any contract with the Commonwealth.
(k) Annually, the direct shipper shall provide to the Board by the 15th day of the following January, a total of all sales of wine to consumers by the number of units and the dollar amount.
§ 9.144. Products shipped.
(a) Wine shipped to a consumer must be shipped to a Wine and Spirits Store.
(b) Shipments must be delivered to a Wine and Spirits Store by a transporter-for-hire licensed by the Board.
(c) Each package so shipped must be clearly identified as containing alcoholic beverages.
(d) Each package must clearly identify the direct shipper on the outside of the package and must have with the package a copy of the Internet wine order.
(e) Each order by a consumer must be packaged separately.
(f) All packaging materials must be sufficient to protect the product from damage during normal handling.
(g) The direct shipper agrees that any missing product, incorrect product, or damage to product, including breakage, defaced labels, leakage or other defects, noted on the Internet wine order will be the responsibility of the direct shipper.
(h) The direct shipper agrees that any wine that is not picked up by the consumer within 30 days of receipt by the Wine and Spirits Store becomes the property of the Board.