To conduct business in this state, Suppliers of spirituous liquor are required to have a Federal Basic Permit, a Certificate of Authority and a Supplier Permit. The supplier may also have a Supplier Representative, who also requires a permit. The Supplier Representative can show products to the ABC boards for listing locally.

It is required that the supplier be represented by a Brokerage, who is commonly referred to as a North Carolina Broker (see below for a list of active NC Brokers).

New and existing Brokerages are required to have a Certificate of Authority.

The broker, along with their sales force, must apply for and hold a Brokerage Representative Permit approved and issued by the NC ABC Commission. The broker is responsible for maintaining an adequate supply of their spirituous liquor at the State ABC Warehouse . On average, approximately 6 million cases of spirituous liquor is received and shipped out of the warehouse to the local ABC boards annually.

For each supplier, the Broker Representative is responsible for following specific procedures for a new company to sell distilled spirits before the ABC Commission can approve products for sale in the State. Once approved at the ABC Commission’s annual listing meeting, the Broker Representative can show products to the ABC boards for listing locally.

Permitted activities are covered in Subchapter 15C - Industry Members: Retail/Industry Member