Alcohol regulations in Arkansas

Licences needed

Arkansas Liquor Manufacturer / Distiller Permit and federal TTB Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) permit

Authority

Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration – Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABC)

Documents

TTB DSP basic permit, detailed floor and premises diagram, criminal background checks/fingerprints, financial history, local zoning approvals, lease or deed

Fees

$300 to $2,000 annually depending on distilling classification and facility under Ark. Code § 3-4-208 / § 3-4-602

Time to obtain

Typically 30–60 days following ABC filing (excluding federal TTB processing)

Who can import

Only licensed Arkansas wholesale liquor distributors can receive spirits from out-of-state or abroad; out-of-state producers/importers must hold a state Supplier Permit

Licences or registrations

Out-of-State Supplier Permit (ABC Title 1, Sec. 1.19(45)) and Federal TTB Importer Basic Permit

Authority

Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABC)

Documents

Federal TTB Basic Permit, home state/country license, supplier application form

Fees

$50 annual permit fee

Time to obtain

Typically 30–60 days

Required

yes

Process

Brands and brand label extensions must be registered electronically via Product Registration Online (PRO) before shipment into Arkansas; the supplier must designate one licensed Arkansas wholesaler as the exclusive distributor statewide (strict franchise protection prohibits dual distributorship, and wholesaler changes require ABC Director approval for good cause)

Authority

Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABC)

Documents and samples

Federal TTB Certificate of Label Approval (COLA), brand owner authorization letter (if applicant is not the brand owner), label digital copy; physical samples not routinely required

Fees

$15 registration fee per label plus $5 portal processing fee ($20 total per label)

Renewal

Annual renewal (expires June 30)

Time to obtain

Immediate to 7 business days via online portal

Strict three-tier system: foreign or out-of-state spirits must be imported via a federally permitted importer and sold exclusively to licensed Arkansas wholesalers. Wholesaler franchise protection applies (exclusive brand allocation). No state tax stamps or strip stamps are required; shipments must be accompanied by manifests/invoices and reported monthly.

Federal customs duties apply upon import into the United States under HTS 2208 (ranging from free to $2.14+ per proof liter depending on spirit classification and trade agreement); Arkansas levies no separate state customs duty.

State excise tax is collected at the wholesale level: $2.50 per gallon plus $0.20 per case on spirituous liquor (>21% alcohol by weight); $1.00 per gallon plus $0.05 per case on premixed spirits (5%–21% alcohol by weight); $0.50 per gallon plus $0.05 per case on light spirits (<5% alcohol by weight). In addition, standard retail sales tax (6.5% state plus local rates) and a 3% off-premise retail liquor excise tax apply; on-premise sales face a 10% supplemental mixed-drink tax (14% in private clubs).

Private retail package stores sell distilled spirits for off-premises consumption (subject to population quotas; grocery and convenience stores cannot sell high-proof spirits). On-premise sales occur in licensed bars, restaurants, and private clubs. Weekday sales are barred between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Sunday off-premise sales are generally prohibited by state law unless authorized by a local municipal/county voter referendum (10:00 a.m. to midnight).

Restricted. Interstate and direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping of distilled spirits to consumers remains prohibited. However, local home delivery of spirits from licensed wet-county retailers is permitted directly or via permitted third-party platforms (e.g., DoorDash) holding an ABC third-party delivery permit ($500/year) to individuals aged 21+ in wet counties.

Must comply with federal TTB standards (27 CFR Part 5) and match the approved federal COLA: class and type, ABV %, net volume, mandatory U.S. Government Health Warning Statement, and bottler/importer name and address. English language required; no unique Arkansas state-specific health warnings or tax stamps.

Regulated under ABC rules and federal TTB standards. Must not target or appeal to minors, depict intoxication, or make misleading therapeutic claims. Strict tied-house regulations prohibit distillers and wholesalers from offering gifts, equipment, or cooperative advertising inducements to retailers.

Arkansas adheres to federal standards of identity under 27 CFR Part 5. Arkansas statute (Ark. Code § 3-1-102) distinguishes spirit classifications by alcohol by weight: 'Spirituous Liquor' (21% or more alcohol by weight), 'Premixed Spirituous Liquor' (between 5% and 21%), and 'Light Spirituous Liquor' (under 5%).

Approximately 29 of Arkansas's 75 counties remain dry (retail package alcohol sales prohibited by local option elections), though on-premises consumption is frequently permitted within dry counties via licensed private clubs.

• 2025: Senate Bill 98 established a third-party alcohol delivery permit ($500 annual fee) allowing third-party delivery services to deliver beer, wine, and spirits from licensed retailers to consumers aged 21+ in wet and adjacent wet counties.
• 2025: Senate Bill 97 expanded the statutory limit on retail liquor permits owned by an individual or corporate entity from one to three (capped at one per county, or two in counties with populations over 200,000).
• 2025: House Bill 1476 legalized direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine shipping without requiring an initial on-site winery visit (direct-to-consumer shipping for distilled spirits remains prohibited).
• 2025: House Bill 1173 amended malt beverage definitions and thresholds up to 14% alcohol by weight.

Foreign spirits exporters must secure an exclusive statewide relationship with a licensed Arkansas wholesaler, as Arkansas mandates single-distributor brand appointments. Opportunities are strongest for premium and craft categories in the state's expanding urban and wet metropolitan areas, including Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas.

• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration - Alcoholic Beverage Control Division
• U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

1. Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration - Liquors Tax & Alcoholic Beverage Taxes
2. Arkansas Code Title 3: Alcoholic Beverages (§ 3-4-602 Distillers or manufacturers, § 3-2-401 Brand Registration, § 3-3-211 Sunday Sales)
3. Arkansas ABC Brand Label Registration - Product Registration Online
4. Arkansas Senate Bills 97 & 98 (2025 Legislative Session) - Retail Licensing and Alcohol Delivery Expansion
5. Wine Institute - Arkansas Wholesale and Direct Shipping Compliance Summaries