# Shipping Liquor **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-liquor/162621 "2003-03-19T20:19:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mipiace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@mipiace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mipiace)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-liquor/162621/1 "2003-03-19T20:19:04Z")
I have a friend in Boston who brought back a bottle of liquore for me from Italy. Any idea how I can get it shipped to Texas? ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-liquor/162621/2 "2003-03-19T20:33:01Z")
Unless your friend makes the trip herself, then the phrase SOL springs to mind. It is illegal to ship wine to any individual in Texas. [http://www.wineinstitute.org/shipwine/analysis/state\_analysis.htm#texas](http://www.wineinstitute.org/shipwine/analysis/state_analysis.htm#texas) ---
**Author:** ![NutMagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@NutMagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutMagnet)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-liquor/162621/3 "2003-03-19T20:34:44Z")
Legally, you can’t. From here: [http://www.wineinstitute.org/shipwine/analysis/state\_analysis.htm#texas](http://www.wineinstitute.org/shipwine/analysis/state_analysis.htm#texas) > [@](#): > > Personal transportation into state of up to one quart of brandy or 3 gallons of wine permissible; non-resident may import up to one gallon of wine or brandy; in each case taxes must be paid. Limited to once every 30 days. (¶7987)(T.C.§107.07). However, if it were perfume, you’d packing it properly. Wrap in bubble wrap, put it in a box only big enough for a snug fit. Put this box in another box filled tightly with styrofoam peanuts. UPS or FEDEX will deliver perfume. ---
**Author:** ![NutMagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@NutMagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutMagnet)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-liquor/162621/4 "2003-03-19T20:36:59Z")
Tapioca: People like you, with a minute to spare, really piss me off! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![mipiace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@mipiace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mipiace)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-liquor/162621/5 "2003-03-19T21:15:31Z")
Well thanks, guess that means one of us will have to make the trip ourselves. I could handle a weekend in Bean Town! ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-liquor/162621/6 "2003-03-19T23:26:15Z")
Well, I don’t doubt the link posted, and it seems quite clear. OTOH, just yesterday I received two cases of wine shipped to me by a wine dealer from Illinois. I wonder how they get around the law. Could they do it if they used their own trucks? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-liquor/162621/7 "2003-03-19T23:50:13Z")
I believe they were able to do so because the Texas ban on out-of-state wineries importing was fairly recently declared unconstitutional by U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon, **Ringo** ; however, I don’t know if the ruling would apply to the OP. Generally, a law that protects in-state industry from out-of-state competition will violate the dormant commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. Again, I would stress that I don’t know if this ruling goes so far as to apply to the OP, and that this is not intended as legal advice in any way. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shipping-liquor/162621/8 "2003-03-20T12:42:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ringo \* > \*\*Well, I don’t doubt the link posted, and it seems quite clear. OTOH, just yesterday I received two cases of wine shipped to me by a wine dealer from Illinois. I wonder how they get around the law. Could they do it if they used their own trucks? \*\* The legal way to sell you wine is for the dealer to ship to you via a state registered wholesaler. Shipping directly is still a crime, but probably not for much longer. There is a case in the courts right now that should see the ban lifted, but the results won’t be known for another six months or so. See [this article](http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,1829,00.html) for more information. > [@](#): > > However, she also allowed the state to continue enforcing its current regulations pending either an appeal or the amendment of the laws.