Alcoholic beverage transportation - New York

Permits

Carriers transporting alcoholic beverages into, out of, or within New York must obtain either a "Trucking Permit" or a "Fleet Trucking Permit" from the New York State Liquor Authority. Carriers who are only transporting alcoholic beverages through the state are not subject to regulation.

The trucking permit authorized the permittee to transport alcoholic beverages. The fleet trucking permit authorizes the permittee to transport alcoholic beverages in any and all vehicles owned, hired, or operating by the permittee. The fleet permit allows the licensee to register all vehicles under a blanket permit without having to provide detailed information on each vehicle and allow adding and removing of vehicles without notification to the Liquor Authority.

The transportation permits are available online at https://sla.ny.gov/permits-available-online.

Fees

Trucking Permit: $173 ($153 fee, $20 filing fee) per vehicle. Permits are issued for a maximum three-year period and expire on December 31 of the 3rd year. Fees will be prorated based on the date of issuance.

Fleet Permit: $6,420 company fee per year if submitted on or after January 1 and $3220 if submitted after July 1. Checks or drafts must be payable to the order of the State Liquor Authority. The Fleet Permit must be renewed annually each year by December 31.

Bonds

An authorization form and a $1,000 penal bond must be submitted with each application.

Reports

No reports are required to transport alcoholic beverages.

All shipments picked up or delivered in New York must be accompanied by a copy of a bill of lading, or other document, showing the name and address of the consignor, the name and address of the consignee, the date of the shipment, and the quantity and kind of alcoholic beverage carried.

Other

View agency contact information.

Transportation of Cigarettes and Tobacco Products

Shipment and possession of cigarette and tobacco products: In New York it is unlawful for common or contract carriers to knowingly transport cigarettes to any person in the State whom the common or contract carrier reasonably believes is not a licensed or registered cigarette agent, wholesale dealer, or retail dealer. Where cigarettes are transported to a home or residence, it is presumed that the carrier knew that the delivery was not being made to a licensed or registered agent, wholesale dealer, or retail dealer.

In addition to carriers, it is generally unlawful for any other person to knowingly transport cigarettes to other than licensed or registered dealers. However, persons other than common or contract carriers may transport up to 800 cigarettes (four cartons) at any one time to any person in New York State without violating this law.

To determine whether a person is a licensed or registered cigarette agent, wholesale dealer, or retail dealer, the Tax Department maintains a listing of all currently licensed and registered cigarette agents, wholesale dealers, and retail dealers. The list is updated periodically and is available on the Internet at the Tax Department’s Web site http://www8.tax.ny.gov/CGTX/cgtxHome.

The information is also available by calling the Tax Department normal business hours, at (518) 457-5735.

Police officers and certain peace officers are authorized to seize cigarettes that have been or are being shipped or transported in violation of these provisions, and the cigarettes seized are subject to forfeiture.

The first violation is punishable as a class A misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation is punishable as a class E felony. In addition to the criminal penalty, the New York State Commissioner of Health may impose a civil fine, not to exceed $5,000, for each violation.