USPS Wine Shipping Helps Consumers, Small Businesses, and the Post Office
June 6th – (Sacramento, CALIF)—The National Association of Wine Retailers (NAWR) enthusiastically supports the recently introduced USPS Shipping Equity Act. Its pro-competition and consumer-friendly objective of allowing the United States Post Office to participate in the modern e-commerce marketplace is long overdue.
The USPS Shipping Equity Act (H.R 3721) not only brings additional competition to the logistics sector but also provides the U.S. Postal Service with sorely needed additional revenue. This bill accomplishes both by allowing the U.S. Postal service to compete with other logistic companies and by providing shippers and consumers with additional shipping options.
Wine retailers across the country have long been responding to rising consumer demand for access to specialty wine and spirits often not available in their market by successfully shipping rare, hard-to-find, small production, and collectible products in a legal and compliant manner. With the addition of the U.S. Postal Service to the logistics companies servicing independent fine wine and spirits retailers, the response to consumer demand will be more efficient and more competitive.
“Previous attempts to pass this legislation have failed due in large part to scare tactics used by opponents of a competitive alcohol marketplace,” noted Tom Wark, executive director of the NAWR. “Members of Congress should not be swayed by false claims concerning wine shipments getting into the hands of minors or that alcohol regulatory systems will be disrupted if the U.S.P.S. delivers a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon to wine lovers. The men and women of the USPS are responsible members of their communities and well-positioned to safely deliver packages containing wine and spirits just as they do other sensitive products.”
NAWR commends Representatives Dan Newhouse (WA) and Jennifer Wexton (VA) for their sponsorship of the U.S.P.S. Shipping Equity Act. Through their sponsorship of the bill, they are supporting a more competitive marketplace, consumers, the wine retail sector, and the U.S. Postal Service.
ABOUT NAWR
The National Association of Wine Retailers represents independent specialty wine retailers across the country. Through lobbying and education efforts NAWR supports a competitive national marketplace for wine while opposing the rent-seeking and regulatory capture that has overcome too much of the alcohol industry. For more information see www.nawr.org.
