Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What licensing and compliance requirements apply to selling alcohol on Amazon via 3PL fulfillment, and are there workarounds?
You cannot avoid the premises license requirement for Amazon alcohol sales—it applies whether you sell via 3PL or direct-to-consumer on your own website. However, the standard approach is to use a 3PL partner who already holds a premises license themselves, so the inventory sits under their licensed facility. **Key findings from the community:** - **Premises license is non-negotiable** — there is no workaround; Amazon requires it regardless of your fulfillment model. - **3PL route**: Use a 3PL that specializes in alcohol and already holds a premises license. Their license covers the stock held at their warehouse. - **Fodabox** — confirmed working solution; they handle many alcohol brands for Amazon and have software that integrates so orders flow directly into their warehouse system with no manual intervention. - **Bemakers** — one member is currently onboarding and sent their first shipment, though they note being "guinea pigs" on this (watch for updates). - **Caution**: Not all 3PLs will accept alcohol inventory, even if they hold a license. Several members reported being refused by 3PLs they approached. It's worth contacting multiple specialized operators. **Next step**: Identify 3PLs with existing alcohol brand experience and integrated Amazon connectivity rather than trying to negotiate with generalist fulfillment providers.
What are the FDA compliance requirements and practical procedures for shipping alcoholic beverages to the USA?
FDA compliance for exporting alcohol to the US requires registration and a registered importer pathway. Members report the process is complex and involves multiple hurdles. **Key requirements:** - You must register with the FDA website - You need a registered importer in the US to facilitate your shipment - A **Cola Waiver** can be obtained through a registered importer, but this is limited to sample shipments only - Full commercial shipments face stricter approval pathways **What members have actually done:** - Several members have successfully used **MoM** (Malt of Moravia) and **Whisky Exchange** as importers/distribution partners for getting product into the US market - Sample shipments via registered importers have shown mixed success rates (members reported approximately 75% success) - Direct sample shipping without proper channels is unreliable and not recommended **Caveats:** Members consistently characterised the FDA registration and importer system as "a nightmare" and "bit of a nightmare." The Cola Waiver route severely limits what you can ship (samples only), making it unsuitable for commercial volumes. Full commercial import requires significantly more complex compliance beyond just registration.