Selling a gray market European alcoholic beverage in the United States

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by Topfrog007, Jul 28, 2009.

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  1. #1
    Hi there legal folks, please help me with this.

    What kind of legal issues would I be dealing with in this case:

    I want to have my website sell, globally, an alcoholic gray market item, brewed in Europe.
    A drop shipper will be used.

    I'm mostly worried about the United States, is it legal to ship alcohol to the U.S.? And a gray market item at that?

    For those who don't know what a Gray/Grey market item is:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_market

    Any thoughts or ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks.
     
    Topfrog007, Jul 28, 2009 IP
  2. tobycoke

    tobycoke Well-Known Member

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    #2
    tobycoke, Jul 28, 2009 IP
  3. mjewel

    mjewel Prominent Member

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    #3
    It would be a huge undertaking to do it into the US. Each state has different rules, individual taxes and regulations. It's illegal to ship into certain states - you can't even ship from one state within the US to another.

    On top of that, there could be liability issues if you sold to a minor. There are websites that ignore US law and ship certain medications without a prescription from places like India (which is illegal in the US) and customs will seize those packages if they are inspected.
     
    mjewel, Jul 28, 2009 IP
  4. ditigalass

    ditigalass Peon

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    #4
    Like Mjewel said its very hard in the US. US Law views the individual as a citizen of a STATE first and then Federal second. In addition it is very possible in many states to be regulated by your City or Town , then your state then your government.
    Political Action Commitees represented by bars and restaurants it all but impossible to get into the online distribution and sale of Alcohol in most of the United States. Insurance coverage for those that do get it is a whopper. vodka.com was the highest paid domain back in 06 bought by a Russian for a million or so dollars-only he realised he could not sell in America online.
    America is a puritan nation and some states are still voting on if its ok to sell liguor by the glass much less online
     
    ditigalass, Jul 28, 2009 IP
  5. averyz

    averyz Well-Known Member

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    #5
    With grey stuff in the U.S. a lot of times you can fly under the radar but then you get noticed and they can mess your world up.

    Alcohol I wouldn’t mess with I think that is the department of ATF and they don’t have much to do.

    I have seen sites that sell grey alcohol like absinthe

    Google Products absinthe

    But I personal I wouldn’t take the risk in the U.S.
     
    averyz, Jul 29, 2009 IP