Alcohol Permit Types
Some alcohol-related activities require a permit instead of a license.
Permits are commonly used for transportation, storage, direct delivery, special events, temporary activities, and other limited situations.
This page explains common alcohol permit types, what activities they allow, and when a permit may be required.
Before you apply
The ATCC recommends applying for licenses and permits online through Maryland OneStop.
This page can help you:
- Choose the correct license type
- Find the correct application in Maryland OneStop
- Prepare the information needed to apply
Maryland OneStop forms are fully accessible.
If you prefer to use a paper application, email [email protected] to request a legacy form.
Applying online through Maryland OneStop is the fastest way to process your request. Paper forms and mailed payments take longer to review and may delay processing.
Not sure if you need a license or a permit?
- Licenses are generally for ongoing business operations in Maryland
- Permits are usually for specific activities, events, transportation, or limited situations, or businesses outside of Maryland.
Not sure if you need a license or a permit?
Not sure if you need a license or a permit?
Licenses are generally for ongoing business operations in Maryland
Permits are usually for specific activities, events, transportation, or limited situations, or businesses outside of Maryland.
Transportation and transfer permits
Transportation and transfer permits are explained on a separate page.
Use that page if you need to:
- Transport alcohol for someone else
- Move alcohol through Maryland
- Transfer alcohol inventory as part of a business sale
- Sell a private alcohol collection
- Move personal alcohol into Maryland
- Store alcohol as part of transportation or transfer activity
Delivery and shipping permits
Choose the permit that matches your delivery or shipping activity.
Use this permit if you:
Ship wine directly to Maryland consumers.
What you can do
- Ship your wine directly to consumers in Maryland
- Send wine from an approved out-of-state or in-state wine business
Important limits or requirements
- You must follow Maryland direct shipping requirements
- You may not ship wine you do not produce under a manufacturer’s license
- You may need to report shipments and pay applicable taxes
- Delivery must follow age verification and alcohol delivery rules
Use this permit if you:
Deliver wine directly to consumers in Maryland under an approved delivery model.
What you can do
- Deliver wine to Maryland consumers
- Use approved delivery procedures
Important limits or requirements
- You may only use your own employees (not third party delivery services)
- You may not deliver wine you do not produce under a Maryland winery license
- Age verification is required
- Delivery records are required
- This permit is separate from a direct wine shipper’s permit
Use this permit if you:
Deliver beer directly to Maryland consumers when allowed by law.
What you can do
- Deliver your beer directly to consumers
- Use approved delivery procedures
Important limits or requirements
- You may only use your own employees (not third party delivery services)
- You may not deliver beer you do not produce under a Maryland brewery license
- Age verification is required
- Delivery records are required
- This permit does not replace any required alcohol license
Use this permit if you:
Deliver liquor directly to Maryland consumers when allowed by law.
What you can do
- Deliver your liquor directly to consumers
- Use approved delivery procedures
Important limits or requirements
- You may only use your own employees (not third party delivery services)
- You may not deliver liquor you do not produce under a Maryland distillery license
- Age verification is required
- Delivery records are required
- This permit does not replace any required alcohol license
Use this permit if you:
Deliver alcohol directly to customers as a common carrier.
What you can do
- Transport alcohol for delivery to a consumer
- Deliver alcohol to a final destination
Important limits or requirements
- This permit is for common carriers
- This does not apply to license holders or their employees delivering to customers
- License holders and their employees need a separate direct delivery permit
Festival and Event Permits
Choose the permit that matches your event activity.
Use this permit if you:
Hold a qualifying nonprofit festival where beer, wine, or liquor will be served or sold.
What you can do
- Purchase alcohol from a licensed wholesaler
- Serve or sell alcohol at an approved nonprofit festival
- Contract with a retail license holder to operate a sales and sampling area
- Allow
Important limits or requirements
- The event must meet nonprofit festival purpose requirements
- Local approvals may also be required
- Alcohol service must follow Maryland law
- Shall provide space for holders of off-site permits, subject to them providing advance notice of their Intent to Participate to the ATCC
- Shall have at least 2 persons who are certified by an alcohol awareness program on site at all times
Use this permit if you:
Hold or participate in an approved alcohol exhibition at which products are judged.
What you can do
- Display, sample, or promote alcohol products at an approved exhibition
- Participate in a qualifying statewide or national event
- Select judges from a list of approved license holders or representatives
Important limits or requirements
- You must be a bona fide trade association
- The event must qualify as an exhibition
- Sampling and sales may be limited
- Sales of product are not allowed
- Local approvals may be required
Use this permit if you:
Hold a qualifying charity auction that includes wine.
What you can do
- Auction wine for a charitable purpose
- Accept donated wine for an approved auction
Important limits or requirements
- The auction must support a qualifying charity
- Wine sales must follow permit conditions
- Additional documentation may be required
Use this permit if you:
Operate a qualifying family beer and wine facility.
What you can do
- Establish a facility to produce beer and wine by a consumer
- Provide equipment, raw materials and instructions to a consumer
- Produce beer or wine for testing equipment or recipes
- Produce beer or wine for limited sampling
Important limits or requirements
- All family beer and wine produced must be removed from the facility by the consumer
- Products must only be used for home consumptions
- Alcohol service must follow Maryland law
Import, Export, and Dealer Permits
Choose the permit that matches your import, export, or dealer activity.
Use this permit if you:
Import alcohol into Maryland for export out of Maryland.
What you can do
- Import alcohol products
- Storage alcohol products in a licensed public warehouse
- Export alcohol products
Important limits or requirements
- Additional federal approvals may apply
- You must follow Maryland import and export requirements
- You may need to report activity or pay applicable taxes
Use this permit if you:
Are located outside Maryland and sell alcohol products into Maryland.
What you can do
- Sell alcohol products to authorized Maryland license holders (wholesalers)
- Conduct approved sales activity from outside Maryland
Important limits or requirements
- You must follow Maryland nonresident dealer requirements
- You must be brand owner or the authorized agent
- You may only sell to authorized wholesalers
- You may not sell directly to retailers or consumers
- Reporting or tax requirements may apply based on product
Use this permit if you:
Are located in Maryland and conduct approved dealer activity involving alcohol products.
What you can do
- Conduct approved dealer activity in Maryland for product imported from outside of the United States
- Sell or transfer alcohol only as allowed by the permit
Important limits or requirements
- You may not operate a storage warehouse
- You may only sell or transfer alcohol to wholesalers or out-of-state buyers allowed to purchase
- You may not have an interest in a wholesaler or retailer
- Reporting or tax requirements may apply
Use this permit if you:
Represent an alcohol business and solicit orders or sales in Maryland.
What you can do
- Solicit orders for alcohol products from retailers
- Represent approved alcohol suppliers
Important limits or requirements
- This permit does not allow unauthorized retail sales
- You may only conduct activity allowed by the permit
- This permit does not allow sales activities targeted towards consumers
- You must follow Maryland alcohol solicitation regulations in COMAR
Specialized alcohol permits
Choose the permit that matches your specialized alcohol activity.
Use this permit if you:
Produce or handle alcohol for fuel-related purposes.
What you can do
- Produce or handle alcohol for fuel use
- Conduct approved fuel-alcohol activity
Important limits or requirements
- Alcohol may not be used for beverage purposes
- Additional federal requirements may apply
- Records may be required
Use this permit if you:
Use alcohol for nonbeverage purposes.
What you can do
- Use alcohol in approved nonbeverage products or processes
- Handle alcohol for industrial, scientific, medicinal, or similar uses
Important limits or requirements
- Alcohol may not be sold or used as a beverage
- Additional documentation may be required
- Records may be required
Use this permit if you:
Operate an approved alcohol awareness program.
What you can do
- Provide approved alcohol awareness training
- Offer training required for certain alcohol-related activities
Important limits or requirements
- The program must meet ATCC requirements
- Program approval may be required before offering training
- Records may be required
Use this permit if you:
Teach an approved alcohol awareness program.
What you can do
- Provide instruction for an approved alcohol awareness program
- Train participants under an approved curriculum
Important limits or requirements
- You must meet instructor requirements
- You may only teach approved programs
- Renewal or continuing requirements may apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Licenses are generally used for ongoing business operations.
Permits are commonly used for transportation, delivery, events, storage, temporary activities, or other limited situations.
Some permits are annual and expire on October 31 each year.
Other permits are temporary or short-term.
Check the specific permit type for expiration and renewal information.
Yes. ATCC recommends applying through Maryland OneStop.
Online applications are the fastest way to process your request.
Yes. If you prefer to use a paper application, email [email protected] to request a legacy form.
Paper forms and mailed payments take longer to review and may delay processing.
Review the permit descriptions on this page and the Transportation and Transfer Permits page.
If you are still unsure, contact ATCC before applying.
Application checklists are available on the Apply for a License or Permit page.
These checklists can help you prepare the information and attachments you need before starting your application.