Enforcement and Education Division Bulletin 26-01
Date: July 14, 2026
To: Retail and Non-Retail Alcohol Industry Members
From: Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
Subject: Industry Update on Minimum Orders, Delivery Schedules and Volume Discounts
Recently, LCB has received complaints from retailers in the industry regarding minimum orders. This update is to provide clarification about the current law prohibiting minimum orders and undue influence between industry members and retailers.
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Minimum orders are not allowed per RCW 66.28.285(6). If a distributor is delivering product in a local market, they must deliver to all licensees regardless of order size.
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Delivery Schedules may be set by market conditions and retailers are encouraged to work with their distributors if they need deliveries more often. Distributors are encouraged to provide alternative methods to satisfy all retailers in a local market such as allowing pick-up at the warehouse or providing alternate delivery times/days for retailers not open during normal delivery hours. Retailers may also purchase wine and spirits from other retailers with a reseller endorsement. Beer must be purchased from a brewery, distributor, or out-of-state certificate-of-approval (COA) holder with direct shipper endorsements. Retailers may not purchase beer from other retailers.
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Volume Discounts are allowed for wine and spirits but not for beer. Beer must be sold at the same price to all licensees in the local market. If the costs of servicing an account in a local market increase, you may increase prices for the entire market or add delivery charges. Retailers may be charged freight fees based on their delivery location, and these charges are permitted as long as they are applied consistently across the local market. Any freight charge must be clearly documented on the retailer’s receipt to ensure transparency and compliance.
See applicable laws and rules below.
If you have additional questions, please contact miwenforce@lcb.wa.gov or you may file complaints on our website. Thank you.
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