Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 560-2-5-.08 - Initial Registration by Manufacturer, Shipper, Importer, or Broker; Designation of Wholesalers and Sales Territories

(1) Except where not required by law, every Manufacturer, Shipper, Importer, or Broker shall, at least thirty (30) days in advance of offering any Alcoholic Beverages for sale for the first time in Georgia:

(a) Submit an application for a license through the Georgia Tax Center and:

1. Include one U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Beverage approved Brand Label for each Brand and Brand Label of Alcoholic Beverage to be shipped for the first time into, or within, Georgia. The registration of Brands or Brand Labels shall be limited to a maximum of ten (10) Brands and Brand Labels per submission, with unlimited submissions;

2. If such Manufacturer, Shipper, Importer, or Broker is not listed as the applicant on the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Beverage Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval for such Brand or Brand Label, submit a letter of authorization from such applicant granting such Manufacturer, Shipper, Importer, or Broker the authority to register such Brand or Brand Label in Georgia;

3. Designate, in the application for registration, sales territories for each of its Brands or Brand Labels to be sold for the first time into, or within, Georgia; and

4. Name one licensed Wholesaler in each territory who, shall be the exclusive Wholesaler of such Brand or Brand Label within that territory;

(b) Such designations of Wholesalers or Wholesalers' territories shall be initially approved by the Commissioner and shall not be changed nor initially disapproved except for cause, and the Commissioner shall determine cause after a hearing pursuant to these Regulations.

(c) The registration of Brands and Brand Labels does not require an initial registration fee or annual renewal fee.

(2) Any application for registration of Brands or Brand Labels that tends to create a monopoly or lessen competition with respect to Alcoholic Beverages will not be approved. A proposed change or transfer that will place more than 25% of the case volume of all Distilled Spirits sold in Georgia under one Wholesaler or controlled group is presumed to be an attempt to create a monopoly and lessen competition.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 560-2-5-.08

O.C.G.A. §§ 3-2-2, 3-4-152, 3-5-31, 3-6-22, 48-2-12.

Original Rule entitled "Cause for Suspension or Revocation of License; Games of Chance" adopted. F. and eff. June 30, 1965. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Apr. 4, 1973; eff. Apr. 24, 1973. Repealed: F. Mar. 23, 1977; eff. Apr. 12, 1977. Amended: New Rule entitled "Farm Wineries" adopted. F. Sept. 19, 1983; eff. Oct. 9, 1983. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Designation of Sales Territories" adopted. F. Oct. 1, 2010; eff. Oct. 21, 2010. Amended: New title, "Initial Registration by Manufacturer, Shipper, Importer, or Broker; Designation of Wholesalers and Sales Territories." F. May 31, 2023; eff. June 20, 2023.