Special Event Permits

Guidelines for Diplomatic Embassy Shipments and Purchases

The guidelines for shipments and purchases of alcohol by a foreign diplomatic mission with an accredited embassy in the United States having full diplomatic privileges under the Vienna Conventions that establishes an official presence, even if temporary, in the state of Utah (hereafter ("accredited foreign diplomatic mission") are as follows:

Shipments of alcoholic beverages into Utah

An accredited foreign diplomatic mission that establishes an embassy presence in Utah may have or possess, for official diplomatic use, and not for sale or resale, alcoholic beverages that have not been purchased in the state of Utah. Such products may be shipped or transported into the state of Utah under the following conditions:

• The accredited foreign diplomatic mission (including a consulate that is part of a foreign diplomatic mission) must first complete the standard Federal form for duty-free Customs Clearance of Merchandise, form DS-1504, and submit it to the U.S. Department of State for processing. Alcoholic beverages shipped or transported into Utah must be cleared by U.S. Customs as duty free; must be released duty free from a bonded warehouse; or must be products of the United States of America and hence not required to pass U.S. Customs.
• After the form DS-1504 has been approved, the embassy must then obtain the written approval of the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control prior to shipping or transporting its alcoholic beverages into Utah. A sample copy of the written request for approval (entitled "Fax Message") appears at the end of these guidelines. The "Fax Message" and a copy of form DS- 1504 must be sent by fax to:

  
  Salvador D. Petilos, Director
  Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
  1625 South 900 West Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
  Fax: (801) 977-6888
  
  The department will respond promptly by fax.

• The diplomatic mission may then ship the alcoholic beverages to the location specified on the "Fax Message" form (e.g. a warehouse, the temporary mission location, or alternate location specified on form DS-1504.
• When the alcoholic beverage shipment arrives, the foreign mission or its representative must inform the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control so that a department employee may visit the site and apply a Utah state label to each unit (bottle, can, or keg). The department will charge an administrative fee (not a tax) of $1.00 per smallest container unit payable only by diplomatic mission check or credit card. Only accredited foreign diplomatic missions shipping their own alcohol into Utah under these guidelines, may be in possession of full- strength beer in kegs.

The beverages may be used ONLY for official diplomatic functions, and may not be sold or resold, or transferred to the ownership of individuals or organizations (including National Olympic Committees) that do not benefit from diplomatic accreditation in the United States.

Presently Available Merchandise

An accredited foreign diplomatic mission that establishes an embassy presence in Utah may purchase alcoholic beverages that are presently sold in the state of Utah under the following procedures:

• Alcoholic beverage product purchases, other than large quantity purchases, may be made by the embassy at any state liquor store. The store shall deduct state sales tax from the purchase price upon presentation of either a mission or personal tax exemption card.
• Large quantity purchase orders must be placed by the embassy at the department’s licensee warehouse. The warehouse shall deduct state sales tax from the purchase price. Further details about making this type of purchase are available from the department upon request. Our phone number is - 801 977-6800.
• The products must be paid for by the embassy using an official embassy check or embassy credit card.
• The product may be used by the embassy only for official diplomatic functions, and may not be sold or resold.

Sample of written request approval fax form