H.R. 9767: Craft Distilled Spirits Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Act of 2026

This bill would create a federal rule allowing craft distilleries to ship distilled spirits directly to consumers in other states and in the District of Columbia, as long as certain conditions are met.

What counts as a craft distillery

For this bill, a craft distillery is a producer that:

• Makes, rectifies, or blends 250,000 gallons or less of distilled spirits each year; and
• Is independently owned, meaning no larger producer that makes more than 250,000 gallons a year has any direct or indirect ownership interest in it.

When direct shipping would be allowed

A craft distillery could ship spirits directly to a buyer if:

• The buyer proves they are old enough to buy alcohol, either by showing government-issued ID in person or by affirming their age when ordering online or by phone;
• The package is labeled to show it contains alcohol;
• The shipment requires an adult signature upon delivery;
• The spirits are for personal use only and not for resale;
• The state where the shipment originates allows this kind of direct shipment; and
• The state receiving the shipment also allows it.

Enforcement

If someone does not meet these requirements, a state attorney general could bring a civil lawsuit using the same general legal framework that applies under the Webb-Kenyon Act, a federal law related to interstate alcohol shipments.

Practical effect

In plain terms, the bill would make it easier for small, independently owned distilleries to sell and ship their products directly to customers across state lines, but only where both the sending and receiving states permit it and where age verification, labeling, and delivery safeguards are followed.

Relevant Companies

• MO — Altria Group could be indirectly affected if consumer alcohol spending shifts toward direct-to-consumer craft spirits, though the bill is aimed at distilleries rather than tobacco companies.
• DEO — Diageo could face indirect competitive effects if broader direct shipping expands access to smaller spirit brands sold online.
• BF.B — Brown-Forman could be indirectly affected if craft distilleries gain a new sales channel that increases competition in spirits distribution.