New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced that alcoholic beverages — including to-go drinks from restaurants can be delivered third-party services like DoorDash, Instacart and Amazon Flex.
This Special Ruling (ABC 2022-15) from the Attorney General’s Office and ABC creates a third-party delivery permit, which lets licensed businesses that serve alcohol contract with third-party services. Citing the demand for delivery services during the COVID-19 pandemic, this Third-Party Delivery Permit expands that market in New Jersey and allowing retail licenses to continue offering what many consumers have grown accustomed to using smartphone delivery apps. It also cites that the state needs to adapt to modern technology and e commerce such as regulators in at least 15 other states.
As of now, only licensed retailers and transporters can deliver alcoholic beverages in New Jersey. The third-party delivery permit allows independent contractors using their personal vehicles to deliver alcoholic beverages to customers’ residences on behalf of licensed businesses.
Starting October 1, 2022, delivery companies can apply for the permit, which costs $2,000 a year, on the ABC website. The delivery companies can charge a fixed fee for deliveries. The application can be submitted through Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Posse OnlineLicensing System. Businesses interested, please see link here
An applicant must submit a plan for initial and recurring background checks of delivery workers, in addition to alcohol-compliance training and certification for workers.
The ABC alcohol deliveries are not permitted to college campuses. The driver must make sure the person receiving the alcohol is 21 years old and is supposed to refuse delivery to a customer who is visibly intoxicated.
Craft breweries and distilleries are not eligible to use a third-party delivery service.
