Alcoholic beverage transportation - Pennsylvania

Permits

40 PA Code 9.12 - 9.22: Carriers transporting alcoholic beverages for hire within the State of Pennsylvania must obtain from the Board a Transporter-for-Hire License, Class A; a Transporter-for-Hire License, Class B; or a Transporter-for-Hire License, Class C.

• Class A licensees are authorized to transport liquor, malt/brewed beverages, or alcohol to or from points located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Class B licensees may transport only malt or brewed beverages to or from points located in the Commonwealth.
• Class C licensees may transport liquor parcels within the Commonwealth.

In Pennsylvania, a “liquor parcel” is a package containing not more than the number of units of liquor in a standard case packaging configuration as approved by the Board. A “general parcel consignment” means the commercial transportation of packages or parcels of not more than 50 pounds per parcel where each package is a separate and distinct shipment.

To obtain a Class C license, the applicant must demonstrate that he maintains a fleet of vehicles primarily engaged in general parcel consignment, servicing all points within Pennsylvania. They must also demonstrate that they can transport liquor from points in Pennsylvania to Board facilities, from Pennsylvania licensed limited winery locations to limited winery customers, and from distilleries of historical significance to distillery customers.

Carriers transporting alcoholic beverages through Pennsylvania commercially (without picking up or delivering) under FMCSA for-hire authority are not required to apply for a Transporter-for-Hire License.

However, the operator of the vehicle must have in his possession an invoice and a bill of lading or waybill (showing the brand name, size and number of containers of liquor, malt or brewed beverages or alcohol). These documents must be produced for inspection upon the request of an authorized police or enforcement officer of Pennsylvania. The cargo in a load being transported through Pennsylvania must remain intact and upon the same vehicle while traveling through the state.

The licensee (except transporters for hire) must also affix or paint on each side of each vehicle the business name, address including the street name and number as shown on the license, and the license number as shown on the license in letters no smaller than 2 inches in height. The number must be preceded by the letters “P.L.C.B.”

Transporters for-hire are not subject to these vehicle marking rules.

Fees

The Class A license is $265 and pro-rated quarterly. The Class B license is $160. The Class C license is $265 and pro-rated quarterly.

A filing fee of $700 for a new permit (or $30 to renew an existing permit) must accompany each application for license.

Bonds

No special bonds are needed to transport alcoholic beverages out of, through, or within Pennsylvania.

Reports

40 PA Code 9.13: Any holder of a transporter-for-hire license must maintain and keep, in hard copy or electronic media consistent with generally accepted accounting procedures, for a period of at least two years complete and accurate daily records of transactions conducted under the authority of the license. Records are subject to inspection by authorized representatives of the Board, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.

The recordkeeping system must have the capability to provide for the reconciling of required data. Entries must be verifiable by original supporting documents, and must be clearly identifiable to the licensed operation. Copies of reports or forms, required by Federal or State governmental agencies related to the licensed operation must be maintained for a period of two years unless required to be maintained for a longer period by the agency.

Other

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