Selling Alcohol

The sale of alcohol is highly regulated, however, there are certain situations that allow an auctioneer to conduct alcohol sales.  This will alter from state to state but we will provide some information for alcohol sales within the state of MN:  

All questions and communications regarding the sale of alcohol should be made directly to MN DPS Alcohol and Gambling.  

You would have to be hired to represent a liquor license holder liquidating their inventory to another license holder per MN rules 7515.0460 and 7515.0650. Also, you would have to verify that purchaser has a valid retailers identification card (buyer’s card) and is not on the MN Department of Revenue Tax List, Liquor Posting List.

7515.0650 TRANSFER OF LICENSE OR BUSINESS.

Any licensed retailer transferring or liquidating a business and selling the liquor stock shall notify the commissioner in writing of this intention and ask for approval of the proposed sale or transfer on such forms as are prescribed by the commissioner. The dealer may sell business fixtures and alcoholic beverages in a liquidating transaction to any retailer or wholesale licensee in Minnesota. When the sale is completed, the seller and buyer must file with the commissioner a copy of an itemized inventory of liquors sold, giving the brand name, size, and number of bottles. Both the seller and buyer shall sign the inventory. The seller must return the retailer's identification card to the commissioner and the retail license to the issuing authority for cancellation. Any change in the ownership or location of the business for which the license has been issued shall be deemed a transfer for purposes of this part.

7515.0460 LIQUIDATION OF BUSINESS; REPORT.

Any retail licensee who liquidates business upon voluntary termination, cancellation, or revocation of license, must submit a verified written inventory of the stock of intoxicating liquors on hand; shall file a written statement of the disposition of the merchandise to the commissioner; and must surrender the retailer's identification card to the commissioner and retail license to the issuing authority for cancellation.

The following information should be included in the lot description and within the terms of that auction: 

Winning bidder MUST have a valid retailer's identification card (buyer's card) and not be on the MN Department of Revenue Tax List, Liquor Posting.