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 But in 1933 the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution repealed the 18th Amendment, and gave states the power to enact their own laws regarding the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol.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 Vermont, the sale and distribution of alcohol are regulated by the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery, Division of Liquor Control. The state allows the sale of alcoholic beverages through state-run liquor stores, licensed private stores, and other licensed entities. Vermont permits direct shipment of wine to consumers from in-state and out-of-state wineries, provided that the wineries have a direct shipping license from Vermont. However, shipping other types of alcohol, like spirits and beer, is generally more restricted. For any business or individual looking to ship alcohol into or out of Vermont, it is crucial to comply with both Vermont's regulations and those of the destination state. Commercial carriers will require a valid license from the shipper and may have additional requirements to ensure compliance with state laws.