Nearly 85,000 bottles of wine illegally shipped into Michigan during the 1st quarter of 2023

LANSING, Mich. – According to data compiled by the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association (MB&WWA), 84,381 bottles of wine were shipped illegally into Michigan during the first quarter of 2023 – between January and March.

That’s down from 107,000 bottles of wine illegally shipped into Michigan during the first quarter of the previous year. The data continues to show a decrease in illegal shipping, with a 21% decline from the previous year for the first quarter of 2023. The data were compiled using reports from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and excise tax data from the State of Michigan.

The sharply dropping number of illegal shipments highlights the ongoing work of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Kristin Beltzer, Chair of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, to crack down on violators and ramp up enforcement of out-of-state bad actors.

“These bad actors who knowingly violate state law put Michigan consumers and local retailers at risk and create a massive loss of tax revenue for schools, communities, emergency services, and more,” said Spencer Nevins, president of the MB&WWA. “We commend Attorney General Nessel and Chair Beltzer for their leadership and continued commitment to holding these unscrupulous actors accountable, protecting local retailers and preserving precious tax revenue for our state.”

Michigan law requires out-of-state wineries to obtain a direct shipper license before they can ship wine to Michigan consumers. Out-of-state retailers are prohibited from shipping wine directly to consumers in Michigan. These laws ensure taxes are paid and protect public health and safety.

The aggressive approach by Nessel’s office is leading the country in crackdowns on bad actors who illegally ship products into Michigan. Her office’s work has resulted in 29 lawsuits, multiple injunctions and tens of thousands of dollars in fines.

“While there is still work to be done, we’re making significant progress for Michigan consumers, businesses, and taxpayers,” Nevins said. “We urge Attorney General Nessel and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to maintain their consistent attention to bad actors until illegal alcohol shipments into our state cease altogether.”