Wis. Stat. § 125.58 — WI Code / Chapter 125 / Section 125.58
Out-of-state shippers’ permit; exception to requirement.
Status: in_force

(1) The division shall issue out-of-state shippers’ permits which authorize persons located outside this state to sell or ship intoxicating liquor into this state. Except as provided under subs. (4) and (5) , intoxicating liquor may be shipped into this state only to a person holding a wholesaler’s permit under s. 125.54 or, if shipped from a manufacturer or rectifier in another state holding a permit under this section, to a person holding a manufacturer’s or rectifier’s permit under s. 125.52 or a winery permit under s. 125.53 . Except as provided under subs. (4) and (5) , a separate out-of-state shipper’s permit is required for each location from which any intoxicating liquor is sold or shipped into this state, including the location from which the invoices are issued for the sales or shipments. Any person holding an out-of-state shipper’s permit issued under this section may solicit orders for sales or shipments by the permittee without obtaining the sales solicitation permit required by s. 125.65 , but every agent, salesperson or other representative who solicits orders for sales or shipments by an out-of-state shipper shall first obtain a permit for soliciting orders under s. 125.65 . No holder of an out-of-state shipper’s permit issued under this section may sell intoxicating liquor in this state or ship intoxicating liquor into this state unless the out-of-state shipper is the primary source of supply for that intoxicating liquor.

(2)

(a) Out-of-state shippers’ permits may be issued only to a person who holds a valid certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50) , but may not be issued to a person acting as an agent for or in the employ of another. Notwithstanding s. 125.04 (5) (a) , natural persons obtaining out-of-state shippers’ permits are not required to be residents of this state. Notwithstanding s. 125.04 (5) (a) 5. , a person is not required to complete a responsible beverage server training course to be eligible for a permit under this section. Notwithstanding s. 125.04 (6) , corporations or limited liability companies obtaining out-of-state shippers’ permits are not required to appoint agents.

(b)

1. Unless the permittee or agent of the permittee appointed under s. 125.04 (6) is a resident of this state, or unless the permittee maintains a registered agent in this state under s. 180.0501 , 180.1507 , 183.0115 , or 183.0903 , a permittee under this section shall appoint and continually engage the services of an agent in this state to act as agent for the service of process on whom all processes, and any action or proceeding against the permittee concerning or arising out of the enforcement of any provision of this chapter or ch. 139 , may be served in any manner authorized by law. That service shall constitute legal and valid service of process on the permittee. The permittee shall provide to the division, in the form and manner prescribed by the division, the name, address, phone number, and proof of the appointment and availability of the agent.

2. The permittee shall provide notice to the division 30 calendar days before termination of the authority of an agent under subd. 1. and shall provide proof to the satisfaction of the division of the appointment of a new agent no less than 5 calendar days before the termination of an existing agent appointment. In the event an agent terminates an agency appointment, the permittee shall notify the division of that termination within 5 calendar days and shall include proof to the satisfaction of the division of the appointment of a new agent.

3. If a permittee fails to maintain an agent in this state after a permit is issued under this section, the permittee is considered to have appointed the department of financial institutions as the permittee’s agent, and the permittee may be proceeded against in courts of this state by service of process upon the department of financial institutions.

(c) The application for a permit under this section shall include a provision that the permittee agrees to do all of the following:

1. File reports, provide records, and allow inspections and examinations to the extent provided in s. 125.025 and ch. 139 .

2. Pay the expenses reasonably attributable to inspections and examinations made by the division at the premises of the permittee located outside this state.

3. Accept service of process and consent to jurisdiction in any proceeding in this state to enforce the provisions of this chapter or ch. 139 .

(4) A winery located outside of this state may ship wine into this state as provided under s. 125.535 and is not required to hold an out-of-state shipper’s permit under this section.

(5) A fulfillment house located outside this state that holds a permit under s. 125.23 may ship wine into this state as provided in s. 125.23 and is not required to hold an out-of-state shipper’s permit under this section.

History: 1981 c. 79 ; 1983 a. 27 ; 1987 a. 399 ; 1989 a. 253 ; 1991 a. 39 ; 1993 a. 112 , 259 , 491 ; 1995 a. 27 ; 2001 a. 16 ; 2001 a. 104 s. 136 ; 2007 a. 85 ; 2023 a. 73 ; 2025 a. 127 .