Restrictions on purchases of spirits, beer, or wine by retail spirits, beer, or wine licensees or special occasion licensees.
RCW 66.28.070
in effect(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, it is unlawful for any retail spirits, beer, or wine licensee to purchase spirits, beer, or wine, except from a duly licensed distributor, domestic winery, domestic brewer, or certificate of approval holder with a direct shipment endorsement. (2)(a) A spirits, beer, or wine retailer may purchase spirits, beer, or wine: (i) From a government agency that has lawfully seized liquor possessed by a licensed distributor or retailer; (ii) From a board-authorized manufacturer or certificate holder authorized by this title to act as a distributor of liquor; (iii) From a licensed retailer which has discontinued business if the distributor has refused to accept spirits, beer, or wine from that retailer for return and refund; (iv) From a retailer whose license or license endorsement permits resale to a retailer of wine and/or spirits for consumption on the premises, if the purchasing retailer is authorized to sell such wine and/or spirits. (b) Goods purchased under this subsection (2) must meet the quality standards set by the manufacturer of the goods. (3) Special occasion licensees holding a special occasion license may only purchase spirits, beer, or wine from a spirits, beer, or wine retailer duly licensed to sell spirits, beer, or wine for off-premises consumption, or from a duly licensed spirits, beer, or wine distributor.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, it is unlawful for any retail spirits, beer, or wine licensee to purchase spirits, beer, or wine, except from a duly licensed distributor, domestic winery, domestic brewer, or certificate of approval holder with a direct shipment endorsement.
(2)(a) A spirits, beer, or wine retailer may purchase spirits, beer, or wine:
(i) From a government agency that has lawfully seized liquor possessed by a licensed distributor or retailer;
(ii) From a board-authorized manufacturer or certificate holder authorized by this title to act as a distributor of liquor;
(iii) From a licensed retailer which has discontinued business if the distributor has refused to accept spirits, beer, or wine from that retailer for return and refund;
(iv) From a retailer whose license or license endorsement permits resale to a retailer of wine and/or spirits for consumption on the premises, if the purchasing retailer is authorized to sell such wine and/or spirits.
(b) Goods purchased under this subsection (2) must meet the quality standards set by the manufacturer of the goods.
(3) Special occasion licensees holding a special occasion license may only purchase spirits, beer, or wine from a spirits, beer, or wine retailer duly licensed to sell spirits, beer, or wine for off-premises consumption, or from a duly licensed spirits, beer, or wine distributor.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=66.28&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026