Commercial Permit Types

Authorization of unfortified winery permit. Fee: $300.00 (Statute 18B-1101)

The holder of an unfortified winery permit may:

1. Manufacture unfortified wine;
2. Sell, deliver and ship unfortified wine in closed containers to wholesalers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws, except that wine may be sold to exporters and nonresident wholesalers only when the purchase is not for resale in this State;
3. Ship its wine in closed containers to individual purchasers inside and outside this State;
4. Furnish or sell "short-filled" packages, on which State taxes have been or will be paid, to its employees for the use of the employees or their families and guests in this State;
5. Regardless of the results of any local wine election, sell the winery‘s wine at the winery for on- or off-premise consumption upon obtaining the appropriate permit under G.S. 18B-1001.

Authorization of fortified winery permit. Fee: $300.00 (Statute 18B-1102)

The holder of a fortified winery permit may:

1. Manufacture, purchase, import and transport brandy and other ingredients and equipment used in the manufacture of fortified wine;
2. Sell, deliver and ship fortified wine in closed containers to wholesalers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws, except that wine may be sold to exporters and nonresident wholesalers only when the purchase is not for resale in this State;
3. Ship its wine in closed containers to individual purchasers inside and outside this State;
4. Furnish or sell "short-filled" packages, on which State taxes have been or will be paid, to its employees for the use of the employees or their families and guests in this State;
5. Regardless of the results of any local wine election, sell the winery’s wine at the winery for on- or off-premise consumption upon obtaining the appropriate permit under G.S. 18B-1001.

Authorization of limited winery permit. Fee: $300.00 (Statute 18B-1103)

1. Special Qualifications. - Any winery which holds an unfortified winery permit and which produces its wine principally from honey, grapes or other fruit or grain grown in this State may obtain a limited winery permit.
2. Authorized Acts. - The holder of a limited winery permit may give visitors free tasting samples of the wine. The Commission may issue rules regulating these tastings.

Authorization of brewery permit. Fee: $300.00 (Statute 18B-1104)

The holder of a brewery permit may:

1. Manufacture malt beverages;
2. Purchase malt, hops and other ingredients used in the manufacture of malt beverages;
3. Sell, deliver and ship malt beverages in closed containers to wholesalers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws, except that malt beverages may be sold to exporters and nonresident wholesalers only when the purchase is not for resale in this State;
4. Receive malt beverages manufactured by the permittee in some other state for transshipment to dealers in other states;
5. Furnish or sell marketable malt beverage products, or packages which do not conform to the manufacturer‘s marketing standards, if State taxes have been or will be paid, to its employees for the use of the employees or their families and guests in this State;
6. Give its products to its employees and guests for consumption on its premises;
7. Regardless of the results of a local election, sell the brewery’s malt beverages at the brewery upon receiving a permit under G.S. 18B-1001(1). The brewery also may obtain a malt beverage wholesaler permit to sell, deliver, and ship at wholesale only malt beverages manufactured by the brewery. The authorization of this subdivision applies to a brewery that sells, to consumers at the brewery, to wholesalers, to retailers, and to exporters, fewer than 100,000 barrels of malt beverages produced by it per year.

Authorization of distillery permit. Fee: $300.00 (Statute 18B-1105)

Authorized Acts. - The holder of a distillery permit may:

1. Manufacture, purchase, import, possess and transport ingredients and equipment used in the distillation of spirituous liquor;
2. Sell, deliver and ship spirituous liquor in closed containers at wholesale to exporters and local boards within the State, and, subject to the laws of other jurisdictions, at wholesale or retail to private or public agencies or establishments of other states or nations;
3. Transport into or out of the distillery the maximum amount of liquor allowed under federal law, if the transportation is related to the distilling process.
4. Issue transportation permit.
5. Sell unlimited bottles of their own products to customers for consumption off the premises.
6. In an are where sales are legal, sell beer, unfortified wine and fortified wine upon obtaining permits.
7. Can sell mixed beverage with liquor produced at the distillery, if sales are legal obtain a mixed beverage permit to sell mixed drink with liquor produced by other distilleries.

Authorization of distillery of fuel alcohol permit. Fee: $300.00 (Statute 18B-1105)

Distilleries for Fuel Alcohol. Form - Any person in possession of a Federal Operating Permit pursuant to Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 201.64 through 201.65 or Part 201.131 through 201.138 shall obtain a fuel alcohol permit before manufacturing any alcohol. The permit shall entitle the permittee to perform only those acts allowed by the Federal Operating Permit, and all conditions of the Federal Operating Permit shall apply to the State permit.

Authorization of wine importer permit. Fee: $300.00 (Statute 18B-1106)

The holder of a wine importer permit may:

1. Import fortified and unfortified wines from outside the United States in closed containers;
2. Store those wines;
3. Sell those wines to wine wholesalers for purposes of resale.

Authorization of wine wholesaler permit. Fee: $300.00 (Statute 18B-1107)

The holder of a wine wholesaler permit may:

1. Receive, possess and transport shipments of fortified and unfortified wine;
2. Sell, deliver and ship wine in closed containers for purposes of resale to wholesalers or retailers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws;
3. Furnish and sell wine to its employees, subject to the rules of the Commission and the Department of Revenue;
4. In locations where the sale is legal, furnish wine to guests and any other person who does not hold an ABC permit, for promotional purposes, subject to rules of the Commission;
5. Sell out-of-date unfortified and fortified wines to holders of cider and vinegar manufacturer permits, provided that each bottle is marked "out-of-date" by the wholesaler.

Authorization of malt beverages importer permit. Fee: $300.00 (Statute18B-1108)

The holder of a malt beverages importer permit may:

1. Import malt beverages from outside the United States in closed containers;
2. Store those malt beverages;
3. Sell those malt beverages to malt beverage wholesalers for purposes of resale.

Authorization of malt beverages wholesaler permit. Fee: $300.00 (Statute 18B-1109)

The holder of a malt beverages wholesaler permit may:

1. Receive, possess and transport shipments of malt beverages;
2. Sell, deliver and ship, in closed containers and in quantities of one case or container or more, malt beverages of any brand filed pursuant to G.S. 18B-1303(a), to wholesalers or retailers licensed under this Chapter, as authorized by the ABC laws;
3. Furnish and sell malt beverages filed pursuant to G.S. 18B-1303(a) to its employees subject to the rules of the Commission and the Department of Revenue;
4. In locations where the sale is legal, furnish malt beverages of any brand filed pursuant to G.S. 18B-1303(a) to guests and any other person who does not hold an ABC permit, for promotional purposes, subject to the rules of the Commission.

Authorization of bottler permit. Fee: $300.00 (Statute 18B-1110)

The holder of a bottler permit may:

1. Receive, possess and transport shipments of malt beverages, unfortified wine and fortified wine;
2. Bottle, sell, deliver and ship malt beverages, unfortified wine, and fortified wine in closed containers to wholesalers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws;
3. Furnish or sell packages which do not conform to the manufacturer‘s marketing standards, if State taxes have been or will be paid, to its employees for the use of the employees or their families and guests in this State.

Authorization of salesman permit. Fee: $100.00 (Statute 18B-1111)

1. Authorized Acts - The holder of a salesman permit may sell and transport malt beverages for a malt beverage wholesaler or sell and transport unfortified and fortified wine for a wine wholesaler.
2. Persons Required to Obtain Permit - All route salesmen and salesmen working at a wholesaler’s warehouse shall obtain the permit described in this section. All salesmen shall be at least 21 years old.
3. Validity Period - A salesman permit shall be valid as provided in G.S. 18B-903(a), except that it shall be valid only so long as the salesman is employed by the same wholesaler.

Authorization of vendor representative permit. Fee: $50.00 (Statute 18B-1112)

1. Authorized Acts - The holder of a vendor representative permit may represent an unfortified winery, fortified winery, limited winery, brewery, bottler, importer, nonresident malt beverage vendor, or nonresident wine vendor, either as an employee or an agent, to solicit orders for that commercial permittee‘s product. The vendor representative may sell, deliver, and ship alcoholic beverages in this State only to permittees to whom the commercial permittee he represents may sell, deliver, or ship.
2. Number of Permits - A vendor representative shall secure a separate permit for each commercial permittee he represents. A permit may not be issued without the approval of the commercial permittee.

Authorization of nonresident malt beverage vendor permit. Fee: $100.00 (Statute 18B-1113)

The holder of a nonresident malt beverage vendor permit may sell, deliver, and ship malt beverages in this State only to wholesalers, importers, and bottlers licensed under this Chapter, as authorized by the ABC laws. The malt beverages must come to rest at the licensed premises of a malt beverage wholesaler in this State before being resold to a retailer. A nonresident malt beverage vendor permit may be issued to a brewery, an importer, or a bottler outside North Carolina who desires to sell, deliver, and ship malt beverages into this State.

Authorization of nonresident wine vendor permit. Fee: $100.00 (Statute 18B-1114)

The holder of a nonresident wine vendor permit may sell, deliver, and ship unfortified and fortified wine in this State only to wholesalers, importers, and bottlers licensed under this Chapter, as authorized by the ABC laws. The unfortified and fortified wine must come to rest at the licensed premises of a wine wholesaler in this State before being resold to a retailer. A nonresident wine vendor permit may be issued to a winery, a wholesaler, an importer, or a bottler outside North Carolina who desires to sell, deliver, and ship unfortified and fortified wine into this State.

Authorization of winery special event permit. Fee: $200.00 (Statute 18B-1114.1)

The holder of an unfortified winery, or limited winery permit may obtain a winery special event permit. The holder of a winery special event permit may:

1. Give free tastings of its wine at trade shows, conventions, shopping malls, wine festivals, street festivals, holiday festivals, agricultural festivals, balloon races, local fund-raisers, and other similar events approved by the Commission.
2. Sell its products in closed containers at trade shows, conventions, shopping malls, wine festivals, street festivals, holiday festivals, agricultural festivals, balloon races, local fund-raisers, and other similar events approved by the Commission.
3. Limitation. - A winery special event permit is valid only in a jurisdiction that has approved the establishment of ABC stores or has approved the sale of unfortified wine.

Authorization of liquor importer/bottler permit. Fee: $500.00 (Statute 18B-1105.1)

The holder of a liquor importer bottler permit may:

1. Receive spirituous liquor in closed containers into foreign trade zones at the State Port facilities in Morehead City and Wilmington from ships docked at the State Port facilities for the purpose of bottling, packaging, or labeling.
2. Bottle, package, or label in this State spirituous liquor imported or received into a foreign trade zone pursuant to this section.
3. Receive spirituous liquor in closed containers into the foreign trade zones at the State Port facilities in Morehead City and Wilmington from ships docked at the State Port facilities for storage, sale, shipment, and transshipment to the State or a local ABC board warehouse or, subject to the laws of other jurisdictions, to private or public agencies or establishments of other states or nations.
4. Subject to the record-keeping requirements of G.S. 18B-1115, transport into or out of the foreign trade zones at the State Port facilities in Morehead City and Wilmington, the maximum amount of liquor allowed under federal law, if the transportation is related to the bottling, packaging, labeling, sale, or storage permitted by this section.

Effect of cider and vinegar manufacturer permit. Fee: $200.00 (Statute 18B-1114.2)

The holder of a cider and vinegar manufacturer permit may purchase and transport unlimited quantities of out-of-date unfortified or fortified wines from wine wholesalers for the sole purpose of manufacturing a food product item. Any manufacturer of cider or vinegar may apply for this permit.

Authorization of wine producer permit Fee: $300.00 (Statute18B-1114.3)

(a) Authorization. – The holder of a wine producer permit may: 

1. Ship crops grown on land owned by it in North Carolina to a winery, inside or outside the State, for the manufacture and bottling of unfortified wine from those crops and may receive that wine back in closed containers. 
2. Sell, deliver, and ship the unfortified wine manufactured from its crops in closed containers to wholesalers and retailers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws and also sell to exporters and nonresident wholesalers when the purchase is not for resale in this State.  NC General Statutes - Chapter 18B Article 11 13  
3. Regardless of the results of any local wine election, sell the wine manufactured from its crops for on-or off-premise consumption upon obtaining the appropriate permit under G.S. 18B-1001. 

(b) Limitation on Sales. – The holder of a wine producer permit may not sell, in total, annually, more than 20,000 gallons of wine manufactured off its premises from crops it has grown. 

Viticulture/Enology course authorization. No Fee. (Statute18B-1114.4)

(a) Authorization. – The holder of a viticulture/enology course authorization may: 

1. Manufacture wine from grapes grown on the school's campus or the school's contracted or leased property for the purpose of providing instruction and education on the making of unfortified wines. 
2. Possess wines manufactured during the viticulture/enology program for the purpose of conducting wine-tasting seminars and classes for students who are 21 years of age or older. 
3. Sell wines produced during the course to wholesalers or to retailers upon obtaining a wine wholesaler permit under G.S. 18B-1107, except that the permittee may not receive shipments of wines from other producers. 
4. Sell wines produced during the course, upon obtaining a permit under G.S. 18B-1001(4). 

(b) Limitation. – Authorization for a viticulture/enology course shall be granted by the Commission only for a community college or college that offers a viticulture/enology program as a part of its curriculum offerings for students of the school. Wines may be manufactured only from grapes grown in a viticulture/enology course vineyard that is located on the school's campus or the school's contracted or leased property. 

(c) The holder of a viticulture/enology course authorization who obtains a wine wholesaler permit under G.S. 18B-1107 subject to the limitation in subsection (a) of this section may obtain a winery special event permit under G.S. 18B-1114.1, and where the permit is valid may participate in approved events and sell at retail at those events any wine produced incident to the operation of the viticulture/enology program. The holder of a viticulture/enology course authorization may participate in not more than six winery special events within a 12-month period and may sell up to 25 cases of wine at each event. Net proceeds from the program's retail sale of wine pursuant to this subsection shall be retained by the school and used for support of the viticulture/enology program.

(d) The holder of a viticulture/enology course authorization shall not be considered a winery for the purposes of this Chapter or Chapter 105 of the General Statutes.

Authorization of malt beverage special event permit. Fee: $200.00 (Statute 18B-1114.5)

 (a) Authorization. – The holder of a brewery permit, a malt beverages importer permit, a brewing, distillation, and fermentation course authorization, a nonresident malt beverage vendor permit, or a vendor representative permit may obtain a malt beverage special event permit allowing the permittee to give free tastings of its malt beverages; to sell branded merchandise such as glassware, cups, signs, t-shirts, hats, and other apparel; and to sell its malt beverages by the glass or in closed containers at shopping malls and at trade shows, conventions, malt beverage festivals, street festivals, holiday festivals, agricultural festivals, farmers markets, balloon races, local fund-raisers, and other similar events approved by the Commission. Except for a brewery operating under the provisions of G.S. 18B-1104(a)(8), all malt beverages sampled or sold pursuant to this section must be purchased from a licensed malt beverages wholesaler. 

(b) Limitation. – A malt beverage special event permit is valid only in a jurisdiction that has approved the establishment of ABC stores or has approved the sale of malt beverages. A malt beverage special event shall not be used as subterfuge for malt beverages suppliers to ship directly to retail permittees unless otherwise authorized by law

Authorization of spirituous liquor special event permit. Fee: $200.00 (Statute18B-1114.7)  

(a) Authorization. – The holder of a supplier representative permit, brokerage representative permit, nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit, or distillery permit issued under G.S. 18B-1105 may obtain a spirituous liquor special event permit allowing the permittee to give free tastings of its spirituous liquors at ABC stores where the local board has approved the tasting, at shopping malls, or at trade shows, conventions, street festivals, holiday festivals, agricultural festivals, balloon races, farmers markets, local fund-raisers, and other similar events approved by the Commission. Additionally, the holder of a spirituous liquor special event permit may sell mixed beverages or provide at no cost spirituous liquor distilled or produced at the distillery in closed containers at trade shows, conventions, agricultural festivals, farmers markets, local fund-raisers, and other similar events approved by the Commission. The permit shall be issued in the name of the distillery or, if issued to a supplier representative, brokerage representative, or nonresident spirituous liquor vendor, in the name of the nonresident spirituous liquor vendor or the name of the business the supplier representative or brokerage representative represents. (

b) General Limitations on Consumer Tastings. – Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, any consumer tasting is subject to the following limitations: 

1. The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall conduct the consumer tasting and the permit holder shall be solely responsible for any violations of this Chapter occurring in connection with the consumer tasting. 
2. The spirituous liquor shall be poured only by either (i) the permit holder conducting the consumer tasting or (ii) an employee or authorized agent of the permit holder conducting the consumer tasting who is at least 21 years of age. 
3. Each consumer shall be limited to one tasting sample containing 0.25 ounces of any product made available for sampling at the consumer tasting, and the total amount of the tasting samples offered to and consumed by each consumer shall not exceed 1.0 ounce of spirituous liquor in any calendar day. 
   1. (3a) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent may only provide tasting samples of products from one distillery per booth, kiosk, or display. 
4. (4) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not offer tasting samples to, or allow consumption of tasting samples by, any consumer who is visibly intoxicated.  
5. The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not offer tasting samples to, or allow consumption of tasting samples by, any consumer under 21 years of age. The person pouring the spirituous liquor shall be responsible for verifying the age of the consumer being served by checking the identification of the consumer.
6. The permit holder shall not charge a consumer for any tasting sample.
7. Repealed by Session Laws 2019-182, s. 6(a), effective September 1, 2019.
8.  A consumer tasting shall not be allowed unless the venue is located in a jurisdiction that has approved the sale of mixed beverages.
9.  The permit holder may provide point-of-sale advertising materials and advertising specialties and may sell branded merchandise such as glassware, cups, signs, t-shirts, hats, and other apparel to consumers at the consumer tasting.
10. The permit holder shall maintain for a period of at least one year a record of each consumer tasting conducted. The record shall include the date of the  NC General Statutes - Chapter 18B Article 11 16 consumer tasting, the time of the consumer tasting, an identification of the venue at which the consumer tasting was held, an identification of the spirituous liquor that was provided for tasting at the consumer tasting, and the name of any person who poured spirituous liquor at the consumer tasting. The permit holder shall allow the ABC Commission to inspect those records at any time.
11. Consumer tastings may not be provided between the hours of 2:00 A.M. and 7:00 A.M., except that on Sundays consumer tastings may not be provided until 12:00 noon unless the sale of alcoholic beverages before 12:00 noon is authorized by local ordinance pursuant to G.S. 153A-145.7 or G.S. 160A-205.3. 

(b1) General Limitations on Sales of Mixed Beverages. – The sale of mixed beverages in conjunction with a consumer tasting under a spirituous liquor special event permit is subject to the following limitations:

1.  The sale of mixed beverages in conjunction with a consumer tasting is not authorized at shopping malls, street festivals, holiday festivals, or balloon races.
2. The mixed beverages shall contain only spirituous liquor distilled or produced at the distillery. 
3. The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall conduct the sale of mixed beverages, and the permit holder shall be solely responsible for any violations of this Chapter occurring in connection with the event.
4.  The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent may only sell mixed beverages containing products from one distillery per booth, kiosk, or display.
5. The mixed beverage shall be prepared only by either (i) the permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent conducting the consumer tasting or (ii) an employee of the permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent conducting the consumer tasting who is at least 21 years of age. 
6. The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not knowingly sell more than one mixed beverage to a customer per calendar day, per distillery. 
7. The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not sell or serve mixed beverages to any consumer who is visibly intoxicated. 
8. The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not sell or serve mixed beverages to any consumer under 21 years of age. The person preparing the mixed beverage shall be responsible for verifying the age of the consumer being served by checking the identification of the consumer. 
9.  The sale of mixed beverages shall not be allowed unless the venue is located in a jurisdiction that has approved the sale of mixed beverages.
10. Mixed beverages may not be sold between the hours of 2:00 A.M. and 7:00 A.M., except that on Sundays mixed beverages may not be sold until 12:00 noon unless otherwise authorized by local ordinance pursuant to G.S. 153A-145.7 or G.S. 160A-205.3. 

(b2) General Limitations on the Provision of Spirituous Liquor in Closed Containers. – The provision of spirituous liquor in closed 50 milliliter mini-bottle containers, at no cost, in conjunction with a consumer tasting under a spirituous liquor special event permit is authorized subject to the following limitations: 

1. The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall provide only spirituous liquor distilled or produced at the distillery.  NC General Statutes - Chapter 18B Article 11 17 
2. The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall conduct the provision of the spirituous liquor, and the permit holder shall be solely responsible for any violations of this Chapter occurring in connection with the event.
3.  The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent may only provide spirituous liquor distilled or produced by one distillery per booth, kiosk, or display. 
4. The spirituous liquor shall be provided only by either (i) the permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent conducting the consumer tasting or (ii) an employee of the permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent conducting the consumer tasting who is at least 21 years of age. 
5. The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not knowingly provide more than one 50 milliliter mini-bottle of spirituous liquor to a customer per calendar day, per distillery. Notwithstanding G.S. 18B-301(e), a customer may possess a mini-bottle purchased at a consumer tasting event while at the event.
6. The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not provide spirituous liquor to any consumer who is visibly intoxicated. 
7. The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not provide spirituous liquor to any consumer under 21 years of age. The person providing the spirituous liquor shall be responsible for verifying the age of the consumer being served by checking the identification of the consumer. 
8. The provision of spirituous liquor shall not be allowed unless the venue is located in a jurisdiction that has approved the sale of mixed beverages. 
9. Spirituous liquor in closed containers may be provided between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. on Monday through Saturday of each week, from 12:00 noon to 9:00 P.M. on Sundays, and from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. on each of the following holidays that do not fall on a Sunday: New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day. 

(c) Additional Limitations on Tastings in ABC Stores. – Consumer tastings conducted in an ABC store shall have the following additional limitations: 

1.  The spirituous liquor used in the consumer tasting event shall be purchased by the permit holder from any ABC store at the price set by the Commission. The permit holder shall remove from the premises any remaining spirituous liquor used in the consumer tasting event at the conclusion of the consumer tasting event.
   1. (1a) Repealed by Session Laws 2022-51, s. 5(b), effective July 7, 2022. 
2.  A local board may allow consumer tasting events to be conducted only between the hours of 1:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. on any day the ABC store, where the consumer tasting event is being held, is authorized by law to sell spirituous liquor. No consumer tasting event shall be conducted for more than three hours.
3.  The local board shall limit the consumer tasting events allowed per ABC store as follows: a. No more than three consumer tasting events may be held per calendar week.  NC General Statutes - Chapter 18B Article 11 18 b. No more than two different permit holders may conduct a consumer tasting event at the same time.
4. Notwithstanding subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of this section, the total amount of the tasting samples offered to and consumed by each consumer at a consumer tasting event shall not exceed one-half ounce of spirituous liquor in any calendar day.
5. The permit holder conducting the event may provide point-of-sale advertising materials and advertising specialties to consumers at the consumer tasting event, but shall not conduct any sales of any branded merchandise or apparel to consumers at the consumer tasting event. 
6. The local board may post notice of the consumer tasting event at the local board's administrative offices and at any of the ABC stores within the local board's system and may provide notice of the consumer tasting event to any mixed beverage permittee that purchases spirituous liquor from an ABC store within the local board's system. Except as permitted by this subdivision, no local board or permit holder shall advertise or promote the consumer tasting event to the public or cause any person to do so on its behalf. 
7. The permit holder shall provide written notice of the consumer tasting event to the ABC Commission at least 48 hours before the consumer tasting event. The notice shall include all of the following: a. The date and time of the consumer tasting event. b. The ABC store at which the consumer tasting event will be conducted. c. The spirituous liquor that will be provided for tasting at the consumer tasting event. 
8. The Commission shall adopt rules to ensure that local ABC boards that choose to allow tastings provide holders of distillery permits issued under G.S. 18B-1105 with reasonable opportunities to conduct tastings.
9.  Any tasting conducted in an ABC store shall be the sole responsibility of the permit holder. No employee of a local board may participate in or conduct a tasting in an ABC store. 
10. Any additional conditions imposed by the local board. Any additional conditions shall be in writing, and the local board shall post notice of the additional conditions at the local board's administrative offices and provide a copy of that notice to any permit holder upon request. 
11. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a permit holder conducting a consumer tasting event pursuant to this section shall not provide any consideration to the local board, its board members, or its employees for any purpose related to the consumer tasting event. A consumer tasting event shall not be used by permit holders for unlawful inducements to a local board. 

(d) For purposes of this section, "distillery" means the holder of a distillery permit issued under G.S. 18B-1105 or a business located outside the State that is licensed or permitted to manufacture spirituous liquor in the jurisdiction where the business is located and whose products are lawfully sold in this State.

Authorization of optional nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit Fee: $100.00 (Statute 18B-1113.1)

(a) The following businesses may apply for and obtain a nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit

1. A business located outside the State that is licensed or permitted to manufacture spirituous liquor in the jurisdiction where the business is located and whose products are lawfully sold in this State.
2.  A brokerage.
3. A liquor importer/bottler. 

(b) The holder of a nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit may deliver and ship spirituous liquor that has been approved for sale in this State to the permit holder's (i) employees in the State and (ii) brokerage if the brokerage also holds a nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit for the purposes of conducting special events pursuant to G.S. 18B-1114.7. The permit holder may not ship or deliver more spirituous liquor to its employees or brokerage than is necessary for any consumer tasting event scheduled within one calendar month of the shipment or delivery. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require a business to possess or obtain a nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit to do business in the State or to obtain a spirituous liquor special event permit pursuant to G.S. 18B-1114.7. 

(c) For purposes of this section, "distillery" means the holder of a distillery permit issued under G.S. 18B-1105 or a business located outside the State that is licensed or permitted to manufacture spirituous liquor in the jurisdiction where the business is located and whose products are lawfully sold in this State.

Commercial transportation. No Fee (Statute 18B-1115)

1. Permit Required - Unless a person holds a permit which otherwise allows him to transport more than 80 liters of malt beverages other than draft malt beverages in kegs, 20 liters of unfortified wine, or eight liters of fortified wine or spirituous liquor, or is a retailer authorized to transport alcoholic beverages under G.S. 18B-405, each person transporting alcoholic beverages in excess of those quantities shall have the permit described in this section.
2. When Transportation Legal - No person may obtain a permit under this section to transport spirituous liquor unless the transportation is for delivery to a federal reservation over which North Carolina has ceded jurisdiction to the United States, for delivery to an ABC store, or for transport through this State to another state.
3. Common Carriers - Railroad companies and other common carriers having regularly established schedules of service in this State may transport alcoholic beverages into, out of, and between points in this State without a permit. Those companies shall keep accurate records of the character, volume and number of containers transported and shall allow the Commission and alcohol law-enforcement agents to inspect those records at any time. The Commission may require common carriers to make reports of shipments.
4. Motor Vehicle Carriers - Alcoholic beverages may be transported over the public highways of this State by motor vehicle carriers under the following conditions:
   1. The carrier shall notify the Commission of the character of the alcoholic beverages it will transport and of its authorization from the appropriate regulatory authority.
   2. The carrier shall obtain, at no charge, a fleet permit from the Commission authorizing the transportation.
   3. The driver or person in charge of each vehicle transporting alcoholic beverages shall possess a copy of the carrier’s fleet permit certified by the carrier to be an exact copy of the original.
   4. The driver or person in charge of each vehicle transporting alcoholic beverages shall possess a bill of lading, invoice or other memorandum of shipment showing the name and address of the person from whom the alcoholic beverages were received, the character and contents of the shipment, the quantity and volume of the shipment, and the name and address of the person to whom the alcoholic beverages are being shipped.
   5. The driver or person in charge of each vehicle transporting the alcoholic beverages shall display all documents required by this section upon request of any law-enforcement officer. Failure to produce these documents or failure of the documents to disclose clearly and accurately the information required by this section shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
   6. Each carrier shall keep accurate records of character, volume and number of containers transported and shall allow the Commission and alcohol law-enforcement agents to inspect those records at any time. The Commission may require carriers to make reports of shipments.
5. Transportation of Spirituous Liquor - Form In addition to the requirements of subsection (d), motor vehicle carriers engaged in transporting spirituous liquor shall:
   Provide the Commission a copy of the surety bond for one thousand dollars ($1,000) conditioned that the carrier will not unlawfully transport spirituous liquor into or through this State. The bond, which shall be approved by the Commission, shall be payable to the State of North Carolina. If the bonded carrier is convicted of a violation covered by the bond, the proceeds of the forfeited bond shall be paid to the school fund of the county in which the liquor was seized.
   Include in its bill of lading, invoice or other memorandum of shipment the North Carolina code numbers of the spirituous liquor being transported.
   Include in its bill of lading, invoice or other memorandum of shipment the route which the vehicle will follow, and the vehicle shall not vary substantially from that stated route.
6. Malt Beverages and Wine Transported by Boats - The owner or operator of any boat may transport malt beverages, unfortified wine and fortified wine over the waters of this State if he satisfies all requirements of subsection (d).
7. State Warehouse Carrier - The Commission may exempt a carrier for the State or a local board warehouse from any of the requirements of this section provided that it determines that the requirements of this section are otherwise satisfied.
   
    

1. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: 
   1. Homemade product. – A malt beverage or wine produced pursuant to G.S. 18B-306. 
   2.  Home maker club. – An organization devoted to malt beverages and wine produced pursuant to G.S. 18B-306 that: 
      1. Has a defined membership with a stated common purpose. 
      2. Has a written policy for granting membership that includes a written application submitted by each member, both of which may be produced or maintained electronically. 
      3. Maintains a list of all active members and their addresses that is present at all organized affairs of the club and is open to inspection by alcohol law-enforcement agents upon request.
      4. Holds a general liability insurance policy in the amount of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000). This requirement may be satisfied by either an annual policy or a policy for a specific special event.
2.  A home maker club may obtain a home maker special event permit allowing the permittee to give free tastings of homemade malt beverages and wines on the premises of retail ABC permittees and at shopping malls, or at trade shows, conventions, street festivals, holiday festivals, agricultural festivals, balloon races, farmers markets, local fundraisers, and other similar events approved by the Commission. The permit shall be issued in the name of the home maker club.
3. Limitations on Consumer Tastings. – Any consumer tasting conducted pursuant to this section is subject to the following limitations:
   1.  Members of the permitted home maker club shall conduct the consumer tasting and the permit holder shall be solely responsible for any violations of this Chapter occurring in connection with the consumer tasting. 
   2. At an event occurring on the premises of a retail ABC permittee, no homemade products may be removed from or consumed outside of the retail permittee's premises. The home maker club shall obtain written authorization  Senate Bill 527 Session Law 2024-41 Page 31 to conduct the consumer tasting at least 24 hours prior to conducting the consumer tasting. 
   3. At an event occurring at a trade show, convention, street festival, holiday festival, agricultural festival, balloon race, farmers market, local fundraiser, or other similar event approved by the Commission, no homemade products may be removed from or consumed outside of a clearly marked and defined area where consumption of homemade products is authorized. 
   4. The permit holder shall provide to the Commission in advance of any consumer tasting a list of homemade products offered at the consumer tastings at least 24 hours before the start of the consumer tasting event. For a consumer tasting occurring on the premises of a retail ABC permittee, the permit holder shall also provide this list to the permittee.
   5. Homemade products shall be labeled with a label stating the maker's name and telephone number, the alcohol content by volume, and the statement "Homemade product for consumer tasting." 
   6. Members of the permitted home maker club shall not offer tasting samples to, or allow consumption of tasting samples by, any consumer who is visibly intoxicated. 
   7. Members of the permitted home maker club shall not offer tasting samples to, or allow consumption of tasting samples by, any consumer under 21 years of age. The person pouring the homemade products shall be responsible for verifying the age of the consumer being served by checking the identification of the consumer. 
   8. Homemade products may be stored on permitted premises for no more than 48 hours prior to the consumer tasting. Homemade products shall be sealed while being stored on permitted premises and segregated from other commercial alcoholic beverages located on the premises. No homemade product shall remain on the premises for more than 24 hours after the conclusion of the consumer tasting. 
   9. Each consumer shall be limited to six tasting samples containing 1 ounce of any homemade product made available for sampling at the consumer tasting, and the total amount of the tasting samples offered to and consumed by each consumer shall not exceed 6 ounces in any calendar day. 
   10. The permit holder or members of the permitted home maker club shall not charge a consumer for any tasting sample or for entry to the consumer tasting. 
   11. The permit holder shall maintain for a period of at least one year a record of each consumer tasting conducted. The record shall include the date of the consumer tasting, the time of the consumer tasting, an identification of the venue at which the consumer tasting was held, an identification of the homemade products that were provided for tasting at the consumer tasting, and the name of any person who poured homemade products at the consumer tasting. The permit holder shall allow the ABC Commission to inspect those records at any time. 
   12. Each consumer participating in a consumer tasting shall be required to provide his or her name, telephone number, email address, and the date of the consumer tasting." 

SECTION 25.(d)  This section becomes effective October 1, 2024.