Amazon: the ultimate online shopping destination where you can find everything from body lotions to Doritos to home appliances. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon has become the go-to virtual mall where you can browse and shop from the comfort of your own home.

You might think that now that the pandemic has subsided, Amazon would revert to being the place where you go to find things you can’t find anywhere else. But you’d be mistaken.

Regardless of the pandemic, people have discovered the convenience of having items delivered to their doorstep, and as a result, Amazon continues to thrive.

Ordering alcohol online has become the new way of shopping for party treats. This brings us to the burning question: can you purchase alcohol on Amazon?

Buying alcohol on Amazon is not as simple as it sounds. Before you can make an alcohol purchase, Amazon needs to verify your age, as it is illegal to buy alcohol if you are underage. However, even if you have met the legal age requirement, it doesn’t guarantee that you will be able to buy alcohol on Amazon.

The sale of alcohol is subject to strict licensing procedures, and there are countries that do not grant licenses for online alcohol sales at all. Therefore, even if you satisfy all the other conditions, you still may not be able to have your alcohol delivered by Amazon.

While the availability of alcohol on Amazon is an issue, the bigger concern is the potential legal consequences. Alcohol purchasing and delivery are highly regulated transactions worldwide, but the United States, in particular, has a cautious approach.

While you can easily find and purchase alcohol-related items on Amazon, the actual purchase of alcohol itself is a complicated matter.

In this article, we will delve into the details of buying alcohol on Amazon and explore alternative options if you are unable to have your alcohol delivered by Amazon in your state of residence.

Amazon Alcohol Delivery Rules

Alcohol is subject to a set of strict rules, not only on Amazon but also on other online shops. These rules encompass all countries worldwide, but the United States stands out with its stringent regulations.

To order alcohol from Amazon, you must be of legal drinking age, which is 18 in some U.S. states and 21 in others.

However, even if you meet the legal age requirement, you may still be unable to order alcohol from Amazon if your state’s laws prohibit it.

If your state allows for alcohol delivery through Amazon, you need to comply with Amazon’s rules. This includes providing proof of your age with a legally recognized document, such as an ID, passport, driver’s license, or military identification.

Moreover, Amazon has specific delivery areas for alcohol, while Amazon Prime offers more flexibility, depending on the country.

To order alcohol through Amazon Prime, you don’t need to be an Amazon Prime member, but you will have to pay the delivery fee.

If the state permits alcohol ordering and delivery through Amazon Prime, you have the option to choose between having it delivered to your home address or designating a pickup location.

Amazon Prime members can enjoy free delivery of alcohol; however, they will need to pay the monthly Amazon Prime membership fee.

To order alcohol through Amazon Prime, you will find the category under grocery delivery. In addition to Amazon Prime, other Amazon outlets, such as Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go, and Whole Foods, also offer alcohol delivery services.

The following regions currently have access to Amazon alcohol delivery services: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Tampa, Virginia, Washington D.C.

Amazon Liquor Store

Amazon provides a vast selection of alcoholic beverages. It offers a user-friendly interface, neatly categorizing everything. Each category offers a wide range of alcohol-related items, including glasses, flasks, and, of course, the alcoholic beverage itself.

The available categories for alcohol on Amazon are beer, cocktail mixers, spirits, and wine. These categories further branch out into sub-categories that showcase various subtypes of drinks.

Here are some popular alcohol brands available on Amazon. Please note that the following list primarily features beer and wine, as the spirits and cocktail mixers categories are incredibly diverse:

Beer: Athletic Brewing Company, Guinness Pub Draft, Blue Moon Belgian Wheat Ale, Lagunitas Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Bud Light, Peroni, Stella Artois, Bitburger, Coors Light, Pilsner Urquell, Heineken.

Wine: Three Wishes, Josh Cellars, Cloudveil, Areche, Underwood Cellars, 19 Crimes, Apothic, Line 39, La Vieille Ferme.

It’s worth noting that beer and wine are the most commonly purchased alcohol types on Amazon, so it’s a good starting point to narrow down your choices.

Why Doesn’t Amazon Sell Alcohol?

The issue is not that Amazon refuses to sell alcohol; rather, not all countries permit Amazon to sell alcohol within their borders. Some states allow Amazon to sell alcohol, while others prohibit it.

To order alcohol through Amazon, you must be 18 years of age or older. This can be proven with a valid ID document. Additionally, the sale of alcohol on Amazon requires licenses, especially if you are buying alcohol for commercial purposes.

Selling alcohol in the United States is a complicated endeavor. States must adhere to general legal requirements as well as their own regulations, resulting in the need to comply with two sets of rules.

For this reason, many online stores opt not to sell alcohol in the U.S. due to the complexity and associated costs. Fortunately, Amazon perseveres and continues to sell alcohol in those locations where it is legally allowed.

Alternatives to Consider

Many people assume that if Amazon doesn’t sell alcohol, they can turn to alternative online sources for alcohol delivery. However, the truth is that the same rules apply regardless of the online store you choose.

If your state permits alcohol delivery, the issue lies not with the online store but with state regulations. If your state prohibits alcohol delivery, you will face difficulties regardless of the online retailer.

Although Amazon may not be an option, there are alternatives available for alcohol purchases. Consider exploring other platforms such as Total Wine, Wine.com, CW Spirits, Drizly, Uptown Spirits, Berevita (for Europe), and more.

Can You Sell Alcohol on Amazon?

In theory, selling alcohol on Amazon is possible. However, the process is far from straightforward. Selling alcohol involves meeting numerous requirements, obtaining licenses, and fulfilling specific conditions. Additionally, the state where you want to sell the alcohol may not permit such sales.

For retailers, selling alcohol on Amazon is more challenging compared to wholesalers due to eligibility requirements.

Before becoming an Amazon alcohol seller, expect to encounter various associated costs that must be settled.

How Many Bottles of Alcohol Can You Order on Amazon?

There is no restriction on the number of alcohol bottles you can order on Amazon. As long as you pay for them, you can order as many as you want.

If you decide to order a large quantity of bottles, keep in mind that delivery may take a little longer, and you might not receive all bottles at the same time. However, these are merely technicalities that do not affect the order itself.

Resources:

• The Rules on Selling Alcoholic Beverages to Young People