Apply for a Certificate of Compliance (ABCC)

A Certificate of Compliance allows an out-of-state company (producer, wholesaler, or exporter) to sell to Massachusetts wholesalers.
Once an application is submitted via our eLicensing system, the typical turnaround time is a few days to a week.

Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission

The Details of Apply for a Certificate of Compliance (ABCC)

What you need for Apply for a Certificate of Compliance (ABCC)

To apply for a Certificate of Compliance pursuant to M.G.L. c. 138, § 18B you will need electronic copies of the documents listed below.

Required Documents for ALL new Certificate of Compliance licenses:

If entity applying is a business:

  • Business Structure Documents: Articles of Organization, Partnership Agreement, bankruptcy documents, estate documents, trust documents or business certificate, are required depending on your corporate structure.

 Please Note: If you are a foreign entity, only the following is required:

If you are unable to provide any of the required documents, or if you have any additional information to provide:

Fees for Apply for a Certificate of Compliance (ABCC)

Name Fee Unit
Under 5,000 Cases $200 each
Over 5,000 Cases $500 each

How to apply Apply for a Certificate of Compliance (ABCC)

To apply for this license, please create an account on our eLicensing and ePermitting Portal.

Please review the information below:

Technical Requirements:

Below is the list of supported browser versions that provide the best user experience for the online application:

  • Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer 10

  • Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer 11

  • Firefox 29

  • Safari 6

  • Google Chrome 34

  • Opera 21

Although you may find that your current version also works, it may not support all functions.

To use the system you must first create a user name and password. User guides on this topic and other helpful information about the eLicensing and ePermitting Portal can be found here.

For technical assistance:
Please call the ePLACE Help Desk Team at (844) 733-7522 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the exception of all Commonwealth and federal observed holidays.

Next steps for Apply for a Certificate of Compliance (ABCC)

Processing Time

Please allow a few days to a week for the application to be processed. If there is any information missing, a licensing staff member will reach out to you directly.

If you would like to check on the status of your application, please contact the following licensing staff member:

Deron Egbuche
Email: degbuche
@tre.state.ma.us
Phone: (617) 727-3040 x723

More info for Apply for a Certificate of Compliance (ABCC)

  • A Certificate of Compliance holder can only sell to licensed Massachusetts Wholesalers. They can not sell directly to Massachusetts retailers.
  • Massachusetts does not require brand registration. We do require that Certificate of Compliance holders post any new products or price changes through our eLicensing and ePermitting portal. New product prices go into effect immediately upon approval of the Price Posting, changes to prices should be submitted one month in advance.
  • A holder of a Certificate of Compliance is restricting from holding a Massachusetts wholesaler license (§18) or retail license (§12 and §15).

To generate a list of the most current Certificate of Compliance holders or Wholesalers, please use our General Search Function provided on our eLicensing and ePermitting portal.

Downloads for Apply for a Certificate of Compliance (ABCC)

Contact for Apply for a Certificate of Compliance (ABCC)

Address
95 Fourth Street, Suite 3 , Chelsea, MA 02150-2358
Online
Find Your ABCC Representative ABCC Staff Directory 

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