Maryland direct wine shipper bonds.
$100 flat.

Maryland conditions a Direct Wine Shipper’s Permit on a tax-security bond of at least $1,000 filed with the Comptroller. The price is $100 flat, issued instantly. The bond issues the moment you pay — no credit review of any kind, not even a soft pull.

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Required for a Maryland Direct Wine Shipper’s Permit — the Comptroller wants tax security on file

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Fixed amount, fixed price — $1,000 bond, $100, no quote process

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Multi-year terms available — set it up once, forget it for up to 3 years

A-ratedA.M. Best carriersInstantunderwriting process1–3 yrterms available

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How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

Tax-security bonds this size are the simplest thing in surety. Here’s the entire process:

NOW · ONLINE

Apply online

Business details and an effective date. That’s the application — no financials, no credit section.

MINUTES, USUALLY

Pay & e-sign

Small fixed-amount bonds like this are among the thousands of bond types that issue right after purchase.

SAME DAY

File with your permit

Your executed bond and power of attorney arrive by email, ready to file with your Direct Wine Shipper’s Permit application. Wet-ink original mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the bond actually guarantees

A Direct Wine Shipper’s Permit lets an out-of-state winery ship wine it makes, by common carrier, directly to Maryland consumers — capped at 18 nine-liter cases per year to any one address. The Comptroller conditions the permit on a small tax-security bond.

The bond is a tax guarantee: it stands behind your promise to file the required returns and reports and to pay the Maryland alcoholic beverage tax on what you ship. It runs between you (the principal), the surety, and the State of Maryland (the obligee).

It is not insurance for you — if the surety pays the state for unremitted tax, you repay the surety. The Comptroller may waive the security after about three years of a substantial compliance record, so many shippers carry it only at the start.

Md. Code, Tax-General § 13-825 (tax security)Maryland’s Direct Wine Shipper’s Permit is administered by the Comptroller of Maryland, which requires a tax-security bond of not less than $1,000 conditioned on the timely filing of returns and payment of the alcoholic beverage tax. The Comptroller may waive the security after a substantial record of tax and reporting compliance (commonly described as about three years). Confirm the amount on your permit application.

You need this bond if you are

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An out-of-state winery applying for a Maryland Direct Wine Shipper’s Permit

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Renewing the permit and the Comptroller still requires security on file

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Shipping wine to consumers directly, within the 18-case-per-address annual cap

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Re-establishing a permit after a lapse that reset your security requirement

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual issuing fields — no credit section, because this bond doesn’t have one.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Maryland direct wine shipper bond?The premium is $100 flat — set by our carrier’s rate book for this specific $1,000 bond, the same for every shipper. The price you see is the checkout price.

Do I pay the $1,000?No. You pay $100. The $1,000 is the surety’s maximum liability to the Comptroller for unpaid tax — it is not a deposit, and nobody holds your money.

How fast will I have the bond?Small fixed-amount bonds like this are among the thousands of bond types that issue right after purchase — many shippers finish the application and have the bond in the same sitting.

Is there a credit check?The application collects no credit information for this bond. Most applications approve instantly.

Can the bond be dropped later?Often, yes. The Comptroller may waive the security once you have a substantial record of filing and paying on time — commonly after about three years. Until then, the $1,000 bond stays on file with your permit.

Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.

How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.

Related bonds

Other Maryland bonds.

Finish your permit checklist today.

$100 flat, no credit review, bond often issued in the same sitting. Free until issued.

Start application

Your price$100

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