Compliant Bootlegger · All wholesale states · DTC tool
Michigan Wholesale Distribution Reference
Three-tier distribution reference for out-of-state suppliers of wine, beer, spirits and cider. General information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with state authorities. Listed agency fees are not Compliant Bootlegger service fees.
Michigan — wine
Distribution overview
- Control-state restrictions
- Only for wines with an ABV greater than 21%
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Self-distribution to retailers
- No
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Licensing
- Supplier license / registration
- Outstate Seller of Wine
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - State license fee
- $300
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Bond requirement
- Yes – a $1,000 corporate bond is required
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Sales representative requirements
- Yes – a Salesperson license
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Product & territory registrations
- Product / label registration
- Yes – per brand
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Price posting
- Yes
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing distributor agreements
- No – however there are extensive rules for establishing agreements with distributors — they just do not have to be filed with the LCC
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing territory assignments
- No
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Exclusive territory / brand rules
- Yes
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Distributor relationships
- Retailer samples
- One sample bottle of a product may be provided; must be properly labeled as a sample
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Franchise restrictions
- Yes – they are extensive
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Primary-source purchasing rules
- Yes – no statutory requirement, but state guidelines support this
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Warehouse / come-to-rest requirements
- Yes – products must be shipped to a licensed wholesaler’s premises
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Taxes & reporting
- State excise tax
- $0.135 per liter of all wine with an ABV of 16% or less; $0.20 per liter of all wine with an ABV greater than 16%
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier excise-tax responsibility
- No
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier reporting
- Yes – LCC-3023 Out State Sellers Monthly Report
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Michigan — beer
Distribution overview
- Control-state restrictions
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Self-distribution to retailers
- Yes – Qualified micro brewers (having less than 1,000 barrel annual production) may sell to retailers, if distributed by an employee of the micro brewer into a territory that is not currently covered by an existing wholesaler relationship.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Licensing
- Supplier license / registration
- Outstate Seller of Beer
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - State license fee
- $1,000 annually
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Bond requirement
- $1,000 in Bond
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Sales representative requirements
- Yes – not required to have a salesperson, but all Sales Representatives must be licensed for $35
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Product & territory registrations
- Product / label registration
- Yes – Label
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Price posting
- No
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing distributor agreements
- No
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing territory assignments
- No – an agreement must be drafted between you and your distributor, but it does not need to be submitted to the MLCC
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Exclusive territory / brand rules
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Distributor relationships
- Retailer samples
- One sample bottle of a product may be provided; must be properly labeled as a sample
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Franchise restrictions
- Yes
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Primary-source purchasing rules
- Yes – no statutory requirement, but state guidelines support this
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Warehouse / come-to-rest requirements
- Yes – products must be shipped to a licensed wholesaler’s premises
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Taxes & reporting
- State excise tax
- $6.30 per barrel
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier excise-tax responsibility
- No
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier reporting
- Yes – monthly LCC-3023
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Michigan — spirits
Distribution overview
- Control-state restrictions
- Yes, Michigan is a control state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Self-distribution to retailers
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Licensing
- Supplier license / registration
- No license is required to be a "Vendor of Spirits" in Michigan.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - State license fee
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Bond requirement
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Sales representative requirements
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Product & territory registrations
- Product / label registration
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Price posting
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing distributor agreements
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing territory assignments
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Exclusive territory / brand rules
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Distributor relationships
- Retailer samples
- Licensed sales representatives may provide only one bottle no larger than 1 liter for sampling at a time to Michigan retailers. All such bottles must be clearly labeled as a sample.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Franchise restrictions
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Primary-source purchasing rules
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Warehouse / come-to-rest requirements
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Taxes & reporting
- State excise tax
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier excise-tax responsibility
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier reporting
- Michigan requires Spirits Vendors to provide a quarterly report on their shipments to the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Control-board listing process
- Who may present a listing
- A "vendor representative" must be appointed to represent suppliers in transactions with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (LCC).
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Listing representative license
- Vendor Representatives must be licensed by the Michigan LCC. A spirits supplier may only have one vendor representative and must submit the necessary paperwork to authorize them to operate in their name. A separate Salesperson License is required for any person who will sell, deliver or promote a supplier's products to Michigan retailers.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Listing schedule
- New products are released monthly by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Container size limits
- Michigan does not impose size limits on spirits product listings.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Listing submission information
- Michigan requires proposed listings to include a product description and formal price quotation. Listings must be submitted through the E-Quote system, which is available here.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Board pricing
- Michigan applies a base markup factor of 1.65, along with several 4% taxes to determine the price per bottle for spirits listings. A calculator is available on the state's E-Quotes information page.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Price changes
- Price changes must be formally submitted to the Michigan LCC for approval 60 days prior to their taking effect. Price changes may only occur on the first of February, May, August or November in a year, though new spirits products may be listed at any time at the ABC's discretion.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Product codes
- Michigan uses its own product codes.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Further listing guidance
- Contact the Michigan Liquor Control Commission: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_10570_66993---,00.html.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Michigan — cider
Source review note: The source's franchise answer appears to describe samples instead. Confirm franchise requirements with the state.
Distribution overview
- Control-state restrictions
- Yes, Michigan is a control state, but cider is sold in the private sector.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Self-distribution to retailers
- No, an out-of-state cider manufacturer may not self-distribute to retailers in Michigan.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Licensing
- Supplier license / registration
- Michigan requires out-of-state cideries to hold an Outstate Seller of Wine license to sell to Michigan wholesalers.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - State license fee
- A Michigan Outstate Seller of Wine license costs $300.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Bond requirement
- Michigan requires Outstate Seller of Wine applicants to hold a $1,000 corporate bond in the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Sales representative requirements
- Michigan requires Outstate Seller of Wine applicants to hold a $1,000 corporate bond in the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Product & territory registrations
- Product / label registration
- Yes, Michigan requires that cider products are registered per brand before they can be sold to in-state wholesalers.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Price posting
- Yes, Michigan requires suppliers to regularly post their prices with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing distributor agreements
- Yes, Michigan requires suppliers to regularly post their prices with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing territory assignments
- No, Michigan does not require territory assignments to be filed with state regulators.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Exclusive territory / brand rules
- Yes, Michigan has rules on the exclusivity of territory or brand assignments between suppliers and their wholesalers.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Distributor relationships
- Retailer samples
- In Michigan, suppliers can provide one sample bottle of a product to retailers. It must be properly labeled as a sample.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Franchise restrictions
- Not reported by source; confirm with the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Primary-source purchasing rules
- Yes, in Michigan, state guidelines support having sourcing restrictions on from whom wholesalers can purchase, although there is no statutory requirement.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Warehouse / come-to-rest requirements
- Yes, in Michigan, state guidelines support having sourcing restrictions on from whom wholesalers can purchase, although there is no statutory requirement.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Taxes & reporting
- State excise tax
- Michigan imposes a tax on cider of $0.135 per liter.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier excise-tax responsibility
- No, Michigan wholesalers, not out-of-state suppliers, are required to pay the excise tax on ciders sold in the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier reporting
- Michigan requires out-of-state cider suppliers to file the LCC-3023 Out State Sellers Monthly Report.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.