California's craft spirits shipping permit ends on December 31, 2026. After that, distilleries can no longer ship spirits straight to California homes, because the legislature did not extend the law. What does not change: Californians can still buy spirits online from licensed California retailers, which is how every ReserveBar order is filled. For brands, the job before January is to make sure California shoppers can find your bottles through those retailers.
What exactly is ending?
AB 1246 created the Type 94 Direct Shipper Permit, which let craft distilleries producing under 150,000 gallons a year ship to California adults, up to 2.25 liters per person per day. It took effect January 1, 2026 with a one-year sunset. According to the 2026 Sovos ShipCompliant Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Report, 43 distilleries held the permit by June, no extension passed this year, and the permits expire at the end of 2026 and can't be renewed.
Only the distillery-to-consumer route closes. Retail sales in California, in stores and online, work the same way they did before.
Can Californians still buy spirits online?
Yes. Under the three-tier system, a licensed California retailer can sell spirits to a California adult and ship or deliver the order within the state. The retailer is the seller, so no producer shipping permit is involved.
That is the model ReserveBar has used since 2013. A shopper enters a California address on ReserveBar.com, sees the bottles that licensed retailers serving that address can sell, and checks out. The retailer that fills the order handles the sale, the shipment and the age check at the door. Where a local retailer offers it, same-day delivery is also available.
So a California shopper who bought a bottle straight from a distillery in 2026 can keep buying it in 2027, as long as California retailers carry it.
How much demand is at stake?
The same Sovos report includes a Harris Poll survey of 2,001 US adults 21 and older, taken in August 2026. Of those, 741 drink craft spirits at least once a month. The results are national, not California-only:
82% of monthly craft spirits drinkers want to be able to have craft spirits shipped home.
76% have found a spirit while traveling that they wished they could buy where they live.
Among those likely to buy online, the expected spend is about $119 a month, and 81% say they would buy at least monthly.
68% of all adults 21 and older support changing state laws to allow more spirits shipping.
California is the largest spirits market in the country. Those shoppers do not stop wanting craft spirits on January 1. They need a route that still works.
What should brands do before December 31?
Confirm California distribution. A licensed California retailer can only sell your bottle if it can buy it from a California distributor. Without distribution, there is no retail route online or in stores.
Check what California shoppers see on ReserveBar. Enter a few California addresses on ReserveBar.com and search your brand. If your bottles don't show, retailers serving those addresses don't have them yet.
Tell your California customers where to buy next. Email them before holiday orders peak. Point them to a retailer-filled option, such as your ReserveBar product pages.
Keep your own website selling. Our sister company AccelPay runs checkout on brand websites and sends each order to a licensed retailer near the buyer. Its post on the California change covers that route in more detail.
Keep shipping direct where you're licensed. This change applies to California only.
Watch for new bills. The Sovos report expects new efforts in California, and lists ongoing work in Missouri, Hawaii, South Dakota and Iowa, with early work in Colorado.
How do brands get listed on ReserveBar?
Spirits, wine and craft beer brands can email [email protected], and our partnership team will reply. Because licensed retailers sell every order, the first question is always distribution: which states your products are available in, and through which distributors. See brand partnerships for advertising and custom programs.
This post is general information, not legal advice. Check current rules with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control or your compliance advisor.
Frequently asked questions
When does California's craft spirits shipping permit end?
December 31, 2026. AB 1246 created the Type 94 Direct Shipper Permit with a one-year sunset, and the legislature did not pass an extension, so the permits expire at the end of 2026 and can't be renewed.
Can Californians still buy spirits online in 2027?
Yes, from licensed California retailers. The retailer sells the bottle and ships or delivers it within California, so no distillery shipping permit is needed. ReserveBar orders are filled this way.
Does the change affect ReserveBar orders to California?
No. ReserveBar orders are sold and fulfilled by licensed retailers, not shipped by distilleries. What California shoppers can buy depends on what retailers serving their address have in stock.
What should a distillery do to keep reaching California customers?
Make sure its products have California distribution so licensed California retailers can stock them, then point California customers to a retailer-filled option, such as ReserveBar or a retailer-fulfilled checkout on its own website.
Where do the survey numbers come from?
The 2026 Sovos ShipCompliant Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Report, made with The Harris Poll and the American Craft Spirits Association. The Harris Poll surveyed 2,001 US adults 21 and older in August 2026.
Sources
How are online alcohol orders fulfilled?, ReserveBar Help Center (fetched Oct 30, 2026)
Where do you ship?, ReserveBar Help Center (fetched Oct 30, 2026)
