In conjunction with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s announcement that the Ohio Department of Health issued a Director’s Order to close all Ohio bars and restaurants to in-person guests on Sunday, March 15, 2020, the Ohio Department of Commerce began offering a one-time liquor buyback program to lessen the financial blow caused by the closures.
In order to participate in the program, permit holders should return their unopened, high-proof liquor products to the liquor agency where the products were purchased. This option is also extended to holders of temporary F-2 permits obtained pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 4303.202 for events scheduled between March 12, 2020, and April 6, 2020, that have since been canceled. To be eligible for a return, the liquor products must have been purchased between February 13, 2020, and March 15, 2020.
Participants in the liquor buyback program will be required to complete a Wholesale Return Processing Form (the “Return Form”). The Return Form will require the following information: 1) Agency and permit holder information, including company name, permit number, and point of contact information; and 2) Specifics of returned products, including product brand, product name, state product code, size, and bottle quantity being returned. In an effort to speed up processing, all participants are encouraged to fill out Sections 1 and 2 of the Return Form prior to visiting the liquor agency for return.
Please click HERE for a fillable PDF version of the Return Form.
Upon completion of the Return Form, the liquor agency processing the return will validate that the returned items are saleable and match the approved list. Once validated, the liquor agency and permit holder participating in the return will sign and date the Return Form. The Return Form will then be scanned to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center for payment processing. Once processed, payment will be made to the participant by check or direct deposit, whichever form the participant elects on the Return Form.
We invite you to contact us with any questions related to Ohio’s liquor buyback program.
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