Should it be Legal to Ship Alcoholic Beverages Using the U.S. Postal Service? (H.R. 4024)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 4024?
(Updated December 6, 2020)
This bill would end the prohibition on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) shipping alcoholic beverages from licensed producers and retailers to consumers. USPS would be required to create regulations to ensure that recipients are at least 21 years old and that the alcoholic beverages aren’t then used for resale or other commercial purposes.
This legislation would take effect either:
When the USPS issues regulations allowing alcoholic beverages to be shipped to consumers;
120 days after this bill’s enactment.
Argument in favor
It’s ridiculous that it’s illegal for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver an alcoholic beverage to a drinking-age consumer. This bill ends that Prohibition-era rule and allows USPS to do what private carriers are already doing.
Argument opposed
While it may already be legal to mail alcoholic beverages through private carriers, the ban on using the U.S. Postal Service shipping such packages should remain in effect.Taxpayers should have discretion over what USPS ships.
Impact
People who would receive mail deliveries of alcoholic beverages; breweries, wineries, distilleries, and other makers of alcohol beverages; and the USPS.
Cost of H.R. 4024
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) introduced this bill to end the ban on the U.S. Postal Service shipping alcoholic beverages to consumers:
“This antiquated ban should be relegated to the dustbin of history just as Prohibition has been. In 2016, California was America’s top destination for the direct shipment of wine, yet consumers and manufacturers are prohibited from using the U.S. Postal Service to ship or deliver these everyday products. It makes no sense to impose these restrictions, particularly since private shippers, such as UPS and FedEx, are exempt from this out-of-date rule. Congress needs to lift this ban for the benefit of wine manufacturers, consumers, and our struggling postal service.”
This legislation has the support of 22 cosponsors in the House, including 20 Democrats and two Republicans.
Media:
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Sponsoring Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) Press Release
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The Hill (Previous Version)
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The Mercury News (Previous Version)
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NC Beer Lawyer (Previous Version)
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SF Chronicle (Previous Version)
Summary by Eric Revell
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