Effective today, May 7, 2026, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is pleased to announce it has completed the necessary changes to allow the option for eligible B.C. liquor manufacturers to direct deliver packaged refreshment beverages.

As announced on March 17, 2026, this change only applies to eligible B.C. manufacturers already authorized under their manufacturer licence and sales agreement criteria to produce refreshment beverages and cider, including breweries, commercial distilleries, commercial wineries, and land-based wineries. It also allows eligible B.C. manufacturers to sell and distribute refreshment beverages made by out-of-province manufacturers with whom they have common ownership. Details and sales agreement amendments are available on the Sales Agreement page of the corporate website.

This change provides distribution flexibility and aims to strengthen B.C.’s liquor manufacturing sector, improve supply chain efficiency, and align B.C.’s model with other jurisdictions.    

We do not anticipate any significant labour impacts in our distribution centres as these changes are limited in scope and the LDB will remain the central distributor of liquor in B.C. Imported products will continue to be distributed by the LDB, and any newly available warehouse space will be filled with other liquor products that meet minimum sales volume criteria.
 

Distribution Approach

The direct distribution for packaged refreshment beverages follows the LDB’s existing wholesale on-boarding and off-boarding model, which provides a structured approach that supports inventory management within LDB distribution centres, with a focus on space optimization, supply chain efficiency, and strong collaboration with manufacturers.

Under this model, each refreshment beverage SKU may be distributed through one channel only - through the LDB or through direct delivery - and dual distribution is not permitted.
 

New Product Registrations

As of May 7, all new refreshment beverage product registrations from eligible B.C. manufacturers will be set up for direct delivery instead of LDB distribution. B.C. manufacturers registering new products on behalf of out-of-province manufacturers with common ownership will also be set up for direct delivery instead of LDB distribution.

This means that manufacturers planning new product registrations will need to ensure they are prepared to support direct distribution, including having appropriate logistics and delivery arrangements in place. LDB Wholesale Operations will work collaboratively with manufacturers during this transition.

Products may become eligible for LDB distribution once they have established a minimum of 12 financial periods of sales history and meet a minimum 25 cases per week for at least 9 of those 12 periods. Manufacturers with seasonal products who wish to be LDB distributed can refer to the on-boarding FAQs on the Vendor Resource page.  

Manufacturers interested in transitioning eligible products to LDB distribution will be required to follow the on-boarding process, including meeting the criteria outlined in the on-boarding model and applying to the on-boarding wait list.

Additional details are available on the Vendor Resource page of the LDB Wholesale Operations website. For further questions regarding on-boarding, please contact Wholesale Category Management at wholesalecategorymanagement@bcldb.com. 

 
LDB Distributed SKUs – Transition to Direct Delivery Process  

For refreshment beverage SKUs currently distributed through the LDB, manufacturers who are considering transitioning eligible products to direct delivery may submit a request by completing the off-boarding form found on the Vendor Resource page of the LDB Wholesale Operations website, and emailing it to Wholesale Category Management at wholesalecategorymanagement@bcldb.com.  

Manufacturers who are considering transitioning eligible products to direct delivery immediately are encouraged to submit their request as early as possible to support planning and coordination, particularly in advance of the high-volume summer period. The LDB will contact manufacturers who have submitted offboarding requests in the order received to confirm next steps and appropriate timing for changes such as pricing, inventory held in distribution centres, and operational readiness, where applicable.

Manufacturers are responsible for advising their customers on how to place orders and for providing the necessary contact or ordering information.    
 

Ongoing Application of the Model 

The LDB will collaborate and communicate with manufacturers as part of the on-boarding and off-boarding model. In Fall 2026, the LDB will complete the following as part of its regular review cycle:  

• Review SKU performance against established criteria.  

• Work with manufacturers to transition to direct delivery, where appropriate. 

 

Additional Information and Resources

• Manufacturers are encouraged to review the Direct Delivery of Refreshment Beverage FAQs  

• Visit the Vendor Resource page of the LDB Wholesale Operations website which includes details on direct delivery, the on-boarding and off-boarding model, forms, and additional FAQs. 

• Manufacturers will receive a Notice of Amendment to their sales agreement to account for these changes, as well as further information on common ownership criteria. 

• Updated sales agreements and common ownership criteria will also be posted on the LDB corporate website as of May 7.