Compliant Bootlegger · All wholesale states · DTC tool
Virginia 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.
Virginia — wine
Distribution overview
- Control-state restrictions
- No
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
- Wine Importer’s License
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - State license fee
- $370
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 Salesman’s Permit
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Product & territory registrations
- Product / label registration
- Yes – per label
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
- 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
- Yes
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Distributor relationships
- Retailer samples
- Only licensed representatives may provide samples of no more than 1.5 L, which are properly labeled as samples
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
- $0.40 per liter
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
- No
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Virginia — 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
- Beer Importer’s License
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - State license fee
- $370 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 – not required to have a representative, but Solicitors Permits are available to authorize representatives, at $165 per year; alternatively a Tasting-only Solicitor permit is $50 annually
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
- Yes
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
- Only licensed representatives may provide samples of no more than 52oz, which are properly labeled as samples
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
- $0.2565 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 – Monthly 805-71 Report
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Virginia — spirits
Distribution overview
- Control-state restrictions
- Yes, Virginia 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, Virginia does not require a 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. - 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
- Permitted brokers may provide samples to mixed beverage licensees on behalf of the suppliers they represent. Samples must be purchased from the Virginia ABC and 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
- 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, Virginia 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
- There are no set regulations or restrictions on who can represent a supplier at a listing meeting with the Virginia ABC.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Listing representative license
- No, Virginia does not require suppliers' representatives to have a license to present a listing offer. However, if a solicitor or salesperson will be calling on any industry member other than the Virginia ABC, they must hold a Solicitor Salesperson Permit.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Listing schedule
- The Virginia ABC meets quarterly, in March, June, September and December, to consider new listings.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Container size limits
- Virginia 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
- Spirits suppliers must submit a Product Specifications form prior to a listing meeting. At the listing meeting, the Virginia ABC will consider products based on the strength of the brand, including sales in other states and category trends, its pricing and general appearance. Suppliers should provide a sample of the product at listing meetings.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Board pricing
- Virginia marks up the price of spirits products based on the proof and bottle size of the product. Spirits with a proof of 125 or less are marked-up between 64%-79% depending on the bottle size, whereas higher-proof spirits are marked-up between 79%-93%. In addition, Virginia will assess handling fees and a 20% state tax on all sales of spirits.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Price changes
- Price changes must be formally submitted to the Virginia ABC for approval 90 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
- Virginia uses NABCA product codes.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Further listing guidance
- Contact the Virginia ABC: https://www.abc.virginia.gov/licenses/spirits-industry-resources/listings-and-delistings.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Virginia — cider
Distribution overview
- Control-state restrictions
- Yes, Virginia 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 Virginia.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Licensing
- Supplier license / registration
- Virginia requires out-of-state cideries to hold a Wine Importer's License to sell to Virginia wholesalers.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - State license fee
- A Virginia Wine Importer's License costs $370, plus a $195 initial application fee.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Bond requirement
- Virginia 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, Virginia requires salespersons employed by a supplier to hold a Solicitor Salesman's Permit.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.
Product & territory registrations
- Product / label registration
- Yes, Virginia 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
- Yes, Virginia 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, Virginia requires Distributor Agreements to be filed with state regulators.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Filing territory assignments
- Yes, Virginia 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, Virginia 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 Virginia, only licensed representatives may provide samples of no more than 1.5 L, which are properly labeled as samples.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Franchise restrictions
- Yes, in Virginia 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, Virginia 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, Virginia 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
- Virginia imposes a tax on cider of $0.40 per liter.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier excise-tax responsibility
- No, Virginia does not require out-of-state suppliers to remit excise taxes on their products sold in the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law. - Supplier reporting
- Virginia does not require out-of-state suppliers to provide a report on the ciders they have sold into the state.
Source guide retrieved 2026-10-08; retrieval is not verification of current law.