Schumer Wants To End Ban On Shipping Alcohol Via Postal Service
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer wants to scrap a century-old measure so that people can mail wine, beer and liquor to friends and relatives.
A law created in 1909 prohibits the United States Postal Service from delivering alcohol to consumers and Schumer said he will move to end those restrictions in an upcoming bill regarding the future of the struggling agency.
The measure would benefit both the U.S. Postal Service and wine and beer producing states, like New York.
"Allowing the U.S. Postal Service to ship beer, wine and liquor from upstate New York breweries and wineries, like other delivery firms already do, is a win-win: it will provide new business opportunity to this growing industry, all while helping to keep the U.S. Postal Service a viable agency, without cutting services," Schumer stated.
"Allowing the United States Postal Service to join FedEx, UPS, and other common carriers would create healthy alternatives and price competition, give wineries another option, provide consumers with more choices, and generate new revenues for the USPS," stated President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation Jim Trezise.
Consumers would see a break in the cost because the Postal Service has flat rates for packages while other carriers often charge by weight and distance, Schumer said.
Schumer estimates the measure could bring the Postal Service another $225 million a year and he wants to "push the envelope.''
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