Alcoholic beverage transportation - California

Permits

Adults who bring alcoholic beverages into California for commercial or business purposes must be licensed by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

California Revenue and Taxation Code, Section 32109: Any common carrier, except railroad and steamship companies, prior to engaging in the business of transporting shipments of alcoholic beverages into California must register with the board and apply to the board for an interstate alcoholic transporter's permit. The permit, upon issuance, will be valid until revoked by the board.

California Revenue and Taxation Code, Section 32110: Prior to transporting wine or beer into California, out-of-state wine and beer manufacturers and producers must register with the board and apply to the board for a manufacturer's interstate alcoholic beverage transporter's permit. The permit, upon issuance, will be valid until revoked by the board.

Fees

The California Interstate Alcoholic Beverage Transporter’s Permit is a permanent permit issued at no cost. The permit is valid until revoked by the Board or canceled by the common carrier.

Bonds

No surety bonds are required by the State of California to transport alcoholic beverages.

Reports

Common carriers of interstate shipments of alcoholic beverages transported into California must submit a Common Carrier's Report of Delivery to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. A report on this form must be filed on or before the 15th day of each month covering deliveries made during the previous calendar month. A report must be filed each month whether or not deliveries are made.

Other

The California Highway Patrol has adopted and enforces the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations of the Department of Transportation under Title 13, California Administrative Code. Carriers transporting alcoholic beverages which fall within the hazardous materials category must obtain a hazardous materials transportation license and a cargo tank certificate. For further information contact: Department of California Highway Patrol, Box 898, Sacramento, CA 95804; (916) 445-6211.

California Code of Regulations, Title 18, Section 2540: Common carriers and holders of interstate alcoholic beverage transporters’ permits, transporting alcoholic beverages into California from outside California for delivery or use within the state must obtain from the licensed importer or customs broker a receipt for the alcoholic beverages transported and delivered.

This receipt must show the following information:

1. Name of shipper;
2. Point of origin, including city and state;
3. Name of importer or customs broker to whom delivery is made;
4. Place of delivery;
5. Name of carrier making the delivery;
6. A complete description of the shipment including number of packages; and
7. The number and date of the waybill covering the shipments.

In the case of rail shipments the receipt must also show the car number. For water shipments, the receipt must also show the name of the vessel and the number of the steamship bill of lading. A copy of the freight bill or other shipping document containing all the required information must be deemed to be in compliance.

A copy of the receipt must be delivered to the importer or customs broker to whom delivery is made.

Other

The California Highway Patrol has adopted and enforces the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations of the Department of Transportation under Title 13, California Administrative Code. Carriers transporting alcoholic beverages which fall within the hazardous materials category must obtain a hazardous materials transportation license and a cargo tank certificate. For further information contact: Department of California Highway Patrol, Box 898, Sacramento, CA 95804; (916) 445-6211.

Transportation of cigarettes and tobacco products

Cigarette delivery to a consignee in California: California Cigarette and Tobacco Products Regulation 4041 requires that every common carrier making delivery of a shipment of cigarettes originating outside the State to a consignee in California must file a Common Carrier Delivery Report with the State Board of Equalization. The report is due not later than the 25th day of the calendar month following the calendar month in which the delivery of the cigarettes was made.

The report must include the following information:

1. The name of the shipper and the point of origin;
2. The name of the consignee and the address to which delivered;
3. The date and number of the waybill covering the shipment; and
4. The number of cases, bales or other containers of cigarettes delivered and the quantity of cigarettes contained therein as shown the shipping documents.

For rail shipments, the report must also include the car initials and number. In the case of water shipments, the name of the vessel and the number of the steamship bill of lading must be included.

The report must be made on the Board’s form BOE-1071 “Common Carrier’s Report of Cigarette Deliveries” and filed with the State Board of Equalization on or before the 25th day of each month covering deliveries made during the preceding calendar month. See www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/boe1071.pdf for the form.