In 1919, during the Prohibition period, alcohol was banned in the United States with the passage of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution. But in 1933 the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution repealed the 18th Amendment, and gave states the power to enact their own laws regarding the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol.

Today, each state—and in some cases, each municipality or county—has its own regulations regarding the sale and shipment of all alcoholic beverages. When shipping alcohol across state borders, both the law of the state from which the shipment is made and the law of the state in which it is received are relevant. And the commercial carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL only ship alcohol to and from licensed manufacturers, distributors, sellers, and importers.

In Ohio, the regulation of alcohol is governed by the Ohio Division of Liquor Control, which operates under the Ohio Department of Commerce. Ohio law permits the sale of alcohol under a complex system of licenses and permits for various types of businesses, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. The state allows the shipment of alcohol into and out of the state, but only by licensed entities. Individuals cannot legally ship alcohol directly to consumers in Ohio, except for wine, which can be shipped by licensed wineries under certain conditions. The state also has specific regulations regarding the hours and days when alcohol may be sold or served. For instance, Sunday sales may require a special permit. When shipping alcohol across state lines, businesses must comply with both Ohio's regulations and the laws of the destination state. Commercial carriers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL have policies in place that restrict alcohol shipments to and from licensed parties only, in accordance with state laws.