Note: This is a summary and not a full explanation of Alaska Law. Please do further research on your own if you have any doubts or questions about Alcohol Transportation or Possession in or to a Damp Community.
Kotzebue, Alaska, is a “damp” community. This means you can bring in to Kotzebue alcoholic beverages for consumption if it is properly labeled and within your monthly limits. It is a Felony offense to manufacture, sell, possess for sale, or barter alcoholic beverages. Title 4 of the Alaska Statutes describe in detail requirements regarding alcoholic beverages. For quick reference:
One person can bring/ship the following maximum amount per month to a “damp” community.
24 liters of wine; and
12 gallons of malt beverages
*As of May 1, 2005 (ref. SB 210)
No one can bring/ship alcoholic beverages to a “dry” village.
If the following amounts (or more) are taken/attempted to be taken to a “dry” village the offense is a felony offense. Amounts under the following are misdemeanor offenses as described in detail in AS 04.16.200.
Alaska State Law requires that if you are transporting alcoholic beverages by common carrier (such as in your carry-on baggage, checked baggage, or shipped package) to a “damp” community, you must clearly LABEL in plain view the shipping container as:
In at least 2" (inch) high letters in contrasting colors and attached clearly and in plain view an itemized receipt or list noting the TYPE, QUANTITY and VALUE of the alcohol inside. This labeling law requirement applies if you are transporting MORE THAN:
2 liters of wine; or
1 gallon of malt beverages
NOTE: Telling airline personnel that you are carrying alcohol in your baggage or boxes is NOT considered a defense. Violation of the labeling law is a class A misdemeanor CRIME punishable with a $10,000 fine and / or up to 1 year in jail (AS 04.16.125)
Providing Alcohol to a minor in a local option community, in any quantity -is a FELONY offense.
It is contrary to Federal Law to mail any alcohol through the US Postal Service.
This is also the maximum amount one person can possess in a “damp” community:
10.5* liters of Distilled Spirits; and
The following Villages are DRY in the Northwest Arctic Borough:
Amber, Buckland, Candle, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noorvik, Noatak, Shungnak, Selawik and Point Hope
Felony Alcohol Quantities:
10.5 liters of Distilled Spirits; or
24 liters of wine; or
12 gallons of malt beverage
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
1 liter of distilled spirits; or
National TSA rules on transporting Alcohol (NOT the amounts for a DAMP community - see above)
Commerce Department
Local option laws Q&A
Do I Have A Drinking Problem?
On-line Quiz
"Distilled Spirits" - Vodka, Gin, Whisky et. al. and flavored Liquors.
"Wine" - Grape based wine or honey based mead are in this category.
"Malt Beverage" - Beer, Wine coolers, Zima - marked Malt Beverage on package
12oz bottles or cans, packed in "12 Packs" or "Cases" of 24.
Beer and wine coolers (Malt based) are usually in cans or bottles of this size.
1 12-Pack = 1.125 Gallons; 10 12-Packs = 11.25 gallons (for maximum Malt Beverage calculation)
Beer also comed in 16oz, 20oz, 40oz, and Gallons and kegs.
750ml or 3/4 Liter, often referred to as a "Fifth".
1 Liter
1.5 Liter - Wine is usually 750 or 1.5 liter
32 750ml bottles = 24 Liters (for maximum Wine calculation)
1.75 Liter or "Half Gallon"
Posted February, 2005; Updated July, 2006; November, 2007
6 x 1.75liters = 10.5 liters (for maximum Distilled Spirits calculation)
16 x 750ml = 12 Liters (for maximum Distilled Spirits calculation)
http://www.kotzebuepolice.com/