Compliant Bootlegger · All wholesale states · DTC tool
Ohio 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.
Ohio — wine
Distribution overview
- Control-state restrictions
- Ohio is a control state for all beverage alcohol products with an ABV exceeding 21%. Any wine that exceeds this ABV threshold must be distributed through the Ohio Division of Liquor Control. The rules below relate to the sale of wine in the private market.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Self-distribution to retailers
- Yes – wineries who produce no more than 250,000 gallons per year, and who qualify for the Federal Wine Tax Credit, may apply for a B-2A Permit, supplementing their supplier permit to allow sales directly to Ohio retailers.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Licensing
- Supplier license / registration
- Type “S-5” Out of State Suppliers License
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - State license fee
- $300 for wineries producing 250,000 gallons or more annually; $76 for wineries producing less than 250,000 gallons annually
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Bond requirement
- No
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Sales representative requirements
- Yes – Solicitor’s Registration Card for $50, lasts for 2 years; required for conducting tasting and providing samples
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 – but assigned wholesalers must be listed with label registrations, and while agreements with distributors do not need to be filed with the state, they must be in writing, or after 6 months a franchise relationship is deemed to have been created dictated by Ohio statutes
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing territory assignments
- Yes; a supplier may not assign distribution rights for a brand to more than one distributor in a territory
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
- Maximum of 750mL size for containers; must be clearly marked as samples; can only be provided by holders of a Solicitor’s Registration Card
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
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Warehouse / come-to-rest requirements
- Yes
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Taxes & reporting
- State excise tax
- $0.32 per gallon on still wine with an ABV of 14% or less; $1.00 per gallon on still wine with an ABV greater than 14% but no more than 21%; $1.50 on all sparkling wine; sales to Cuyahoga County are assessed an additional $0.32 per gallon
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 – duplicate copies of invoices must be filed with the Department of Taxation monthly
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Ohio — 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
- No
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Licensing
- Supplier license / registration
- “S-1” Beer Supplier
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - State license fee
- $300 annually
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Bond requirement
- No
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Sales representative requirements
- Yes – Solicitor’s Registration Card for $50, lasts for 2 years; required for conducting tasting and providing samples
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
- Yes
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing territory assignments
- Yes
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
- Maximum of 750mL size for containers; must be clearly marked as samples; can only be provided by holders of a Solicitor’s Registration Card
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
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Warehouse / come-to-rest requirements
- Yes
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Taxes & reporting
- State excise tax
- $0.18 per gallon
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier excise-tax responsibility
- Yes – monthly
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier reporting
- Yes – Monthly or Quarterly ALC-83; includes tax payment
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Ohio — spirits
Distribution overview
- Control-state restrictions
- Yes, Ohio 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
- Yes, Ohio requires a Type "S-3" Permit for out-of-state spirits suppliers to sell to the control board.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - State license fee
- Ohio charges $300, plus a $100 initial application fee, for its license for out-of-state spirits suppliers to sell to the control board.
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
- Only licensed Liquor Sales Representatives may provide samples to Ohio retailers, only for products that are approved for sale in Ohio and not in serving sizes greater than 1.5 ounce.
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
- No, Ohio does not require a follow up reports from spirits suppliers for sales to its control board.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Control-board listing process
- Who may present a listing
- Suppliers must be represented by a broker when doing business with the Ohio Liquor Commission.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Listing representative license
- Liquor Sales Representatives (Solicitors) must be registered with the Liquor Commission in order to provide samples or conduct tastings in Ohio.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Listing schedule
- Listings will be presented to the Ohio Liquor Commission upon request from a supplier's Broker.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Container size limits
- Ohio 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
- Ohio requires proposed listings to include a product description, formal price quote, and various market data, including other states the product is sold in and sales trends in those states. Ohio may also require advertising, marketing and other category support from the supplier. Samples may be requested by Ohio.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Board pricing
- Ohio uses a complex set of formulas, including freight and handling charges, along with a markup based on the Liquor Commission's total operating costs and associated fees and taxes. No clear description or breakdown of this pricing scheme is available. Suppliers should contact the Ohio Liquor Commission for more information on pricing.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Price changes
- Price changes must be formally submitted to the Ohio Liquor Commission 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.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Product codes
- Ohio uses its own product codes.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Further listing guidance
- Contact the Ohio Liquor Commission: https://www.com.ohio.gov/liqr/liqrEnterprise.aspx.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Ohio — cider
Distribution overview
- Control-state restrictions
- Yes, Ohio 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
- Yes, cideries producing no more than 250,000 gallons per year, and who qualify for the Federal Wine Tax Credit, may apply for a B-2A Permit that is supplemental to their supplier permit, and allows sales directly to Ohio retailers.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Licensing
- Supplier license / registration
- Ohio requires out-of-state cideries to hold an Out of State Suppliers License (Type S-5) to sell to Ohio wholesalers.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - State license fee
- An Ohio Out of state Suppliers License costs $300 for cideries producing 250,000 gallons or more annually, or $76 for wineries producing less than 250,000 gallons annually.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Bond requirement
- Ohio does not require suppliers to hold a bond in the state to apply for a license.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Sales representative requirements
- Yes, Ohio requires salespersons employed by a supplier to hold a Solicitor's Registration Card.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Product & territory registrations
- Product / label registration
- Yes, Ohio requires that cider products are registered per label before they can be sold to in-state wholesalers.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Price posting
- No, Ohio does not require posting prices.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing distributor agreements
- No, Ohio does not require Distributor Agreements to be filed with state regulators. However, assigned wholesalers must be listed with label registrations and agreements with distributors must be in writing. Or, after six months a franchise relationship is deemed to have been created dictated by Ohio statutes.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing territory assignments
- Yes, Ohio requires 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, Ohio requires territory assignments to be filed with state regulators.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Distributor relationships
- Retailer samples
- In Ohio, suppliers can provide a maximum of 750mL size for containers as samples to retailers and they must be clearly marked as samples. They can only be provided by holders of a Solicitor's Registration Card.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Franchise restrictions
- Yes, in Ohio there are franchise rules that can restrict a supplier's ability to negotiate or cancel their distributor agreements.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Primary-source purchasing rules
- Yes, Ohio has sourcing restrictions on from whom wholesalers can purchase.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Warehouse / come-to-rest requirements
- Yes, Ohio requires cider to come to rest at a wholesaler warehouse before being delivered to retailers.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Taxes & reporting
- State excise tax
- Ohio imposes a tax on cider of $0.24 per gallon.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier excise-tax responsibility
- No, Ohio 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
- Ohio requires out-of-state cider suppliers to file duplicates of wholesaler invoices with the Department of Taxation monthly.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.