Wis. Stat. § 125.535 — WI Code / Chapter 125 / Section 125.535
Direct wine shippers’ permits.
Status: in_force

(1) Authorized activities. The division shall issue direct wine shippers’ permits authorizing the permittee to ship wine manufactured or bottled by the permittee directly to an individual in this state who is of the legal drinking age, who acknowledges receipt of the wine shipped, and who is not intoxicated at the time of delivery.

(2) Annual permit fee. The division may, by rule, establish an annual fee, not to exceed $100, for each permit issued under this section. All permit fees collected under this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.566 (9) (ha) .

(3) Persons eligible.

(a) A direct wine shipper’s permit may be issued under this section to any person that manufactures and bottles wine on premises covered by any of the following:

1. A manufacturer’s or rectifier’s permit under s. 125.52 .

2. A winery permit under s. 125.53 .

3. A winery license, permit, or other authorization issued to the winery by any state from which the winery will ship wine into this state.

4. A federal basic permit for a winery under 27 USC 203 and 204 .

(b) A winery located outside of this state is eligible for a direct wine shipper’s permit under par. (a) 3. or 4. if all of the following apply:

1. The winery holds a valid business tax registration certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50) .

2. The winery submits to the division, with any initial application or renewal for a certificate under s. 73.03 (50) or a permit under par. (a) 3. or 4. , a copy of any current license, permit, or authorization issued to the winery by the state from which the winery will ship wine into this state or the winery’s federal basic permit.

3. The winery satisfies all requirements under par. (d) .

(c) Notwithstanding s. 125.04 (5) (a) , natural persons obtaining direct wine 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 (5) (a) 2. and (c) , an agent appointed under s. 125.04 (6) by a corporation or limited liability company obtaining a direct wine shipper’s permit is not required to be a resident of this state.

(d)

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.

(e) 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 any 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) Labels. Containers of wine shipped to an individual in this state under this section shall be clearly labeled to indicate that the package may not be delivered to an underage person or to an intoxicated person.

(5) Restrictions. No individual may resell, or use for a commercial purpose, wine received by the individual that is shipped under authority of this section.

(6) Annual limit. No individual in this state may receive more than 108 liters of wine annually shipped under authority of this section. Each individual shall be responsible for compliance with this annual limit. An individual who violates this annual limit is subject to s. 125.11 (1) . This subsection does not apply to purchases made under a permit issued under s. 125.61 .

(7) Shipments through fulfillment house; common carriers.

(a) A permittee under this section may arrange with a fulfillment house to ship wine on the permittee’s behalf only if the fulfillment house holds a permit under s. 125.23 .

(b) All containers of wine shipped directly to an individual in this state shall be shipped using a common carrier holding a permit issued under s. 125.22 .

History: 2007 a. 85 ; 2023 a. 73 ; 2025 a. 15 , 127 .