I work for an Illnois Wine Importer and Distributor (and also Foodservice) and we would like to sell wine into Wisconsin. We have applied for a permit/license....if we want to see directly to restaurants in that state do we need to have a physical presence there as well like a warehouse?
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
It is standard practice for states to require a wine or liquor wholesaler to have an official physical premise within the state. A separate permit is typically needed for each additional location. The premise usually includes both an office and warehouse for practical reasons, but there are variations depending upon the state. For specific regulations pertaining to Wisconsin, you should contact their Department of Revenue. Application forms are available on their website (revenue.wi.gov). In most states, both the buyer and seller would be in legal jeopardy if the transaction is not between duly licensed entities. I am sure you will want to look into this further to determine if it makes business sense to set up a licensed affiliate of your Illinois company in Wisconsin.
