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 But in 1933 the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution repealed the 18th Amendment, and gave states the power to enact their own laws regarding the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol.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 South Dakota, the regulation of alcohol is governed by state laws that control the licensing, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages within the state. The South Dakota Department of Revenue is responsible for overseeing these regulations. The state permits the sale of alcohol at licensed premises, and there are specific hours during which alcohol sales are allowed. Direct shipment of alcohol to consumers in South Dakota is also regulated, and only licensed entities may ship alcohol directly to residents, subject to certain limitations and reporting requirements. Additionally, carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL adhere to strict policies and will only transport alcohol for licensed manufacturers, distributors, sellers, and importers, in compliance with both South Dakota law and the laws of the destination state. It is important for businesses and consumers to be aware of and comply with the specific alcohol regulations of both the originating and destination states when shipping alcohol across state lines.