Missouri Law Limiting Wine Shipping to In-State Retailers Upheld

A Missouri law that allows only in-state liquor retailers to ship wine to state residents passes constitutional muster, the Eighth Circuit affirmed Tuesday.

Missouri’s liquor control law, which treats all license holders evenhandedly, doesn’t violate the dormant commerce clause or the privileges and immunities clause, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit said.

Missouri mandates that licensed liquor retailers be residents of Missouri, have a physical presence in the state, and purchase liquor sold in the state from licensed in-state wholesalers. An amendment allowed licensed Missouri in-state retailers to ship wine directly to consumers, provided the sale is ...