Did you know that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is not allowed to ship alcohol? Because of archaic laws, the USPS cannot deliver your favorite brew to your home – even in states where it is legal for private carriers to do so.

Good news: Key members of Congress, alcohol beverage producers, and postal unions are trying to fix this.

Earlier this year, legislators introduced the USPS Shipping Equity Act, which would allow the U.S. Postal Service to mail beverage alcohol products directly from licensed producers – including breweries, distilleries wineries and cideries – to legal-drinking-age consumers in states that allow direct-to-consumer alcohol shipping (DTC).

This legislation would have a far-reaching effect on your local craft breweries! Letting the USPS ship beverage alcohol products would allow for increased competition and make it easier for beer lovers in rural areas not served by private mail carriers to enjoy great craft beer.

Good for Beer Lovers, Good for Breweries

According to the Direct-to-Consumer Beer Shipping Report*, commissioned by Sovos ShipCompliant and the Brewers Association, 84% of self-identified “regular craft beer drinkers” say they want to be able to legally purchase beer via DTC shipping to their home. On the supplier side, 70% of responding breweries said they would consider using DTC shipping if it were legal in their state.

In a Harris poll commissioned by the Brewers Association, 82% of participants surveyed said that they are in support of giving the United States Postal Service the ability to deliver alcohol to 21+ adults in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

In a statement, the American Postal Workers Union said it supports the expansion of the agency’s services to include alcohol delivery:

“Allowing the USPS to ship beer and wine is a common-sense step that allows customers better access to this growing trend … There’s no good reason why beer and wine couldn’t be included with other mail and packages.”

Ask Congress to Pass the USPS Shipping Equity Act

70% of breweries said they would consider using direct to consumer shipping if it were legal in their state.

76% of small and independent producers are taprooms and brewpubs. The majority of whom make money selling beer directly to consumers on premise, outside of traditional retail and wholesale. They are the businesses that would directly benefit from DTC shipping.

84% of self-identified “regular craft beer drinkers” say they want to be able to legally purchase beer via DTC shipping to their home.

In a Harris poll commissioned by the Brewers Association, 82% of participants surveyed said that they are in support of giving the United States Postal Service the ability to deliver alcohol to 21+ adults in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Economists predict that the USPS Shipping Equity Act would generate $180 million in new revenue for the postal service in the first year of implementation.