New Vendors of Spirits

New Vendor of Spirits Information

Thank you for your interest in having your spirits sold in Michigan.

Under Michigan law, spirits are defined as products that contain more than 10% alcohol by volume (above 20 proof).  Distilled spirit products that contain up to 13.5% ABV (27 proof) that are packaged in non-resealable metal cans, commonly called canned or "ready-to-drink" cocktails, are considered mixed spirit drink products and must be sold through licensed Wholesalers.

Steps to Become a New Vendor of Spirits

1. Obtain a Vendor Representative License

A Vendor Representative License is required for a Vendor of Spirits to list its spirit products for sale by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (Commission).  After a Vendor Representative License is Issued, a Vendor of Spirits is automatically Issued.  There is no application for the Vendor of Spirits.   The Vendor Representative licensee is designated as the primary contact for the vendor of spirits.

To apply for a Vendor Representative License, please download and submit the Vendor Representative License Application (LC-MW-843a).

If you have questions about applying for a Vendor Representative License, please contact the Commission’s Licensing Division at lara-mlcc-licensing-information@michigan.gov or 517-284-6250, extension 4.

2. Register your bank information in SIGMA – Vendor Self Service

In order to receive payments for spirit products, you must register your bank information in SIGMA – Vendor Self Service.  For help in doing this, go to www.Michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS, call the Vendor Support Call Center at 1-888-734-9749, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5: 00pm Eastern Time or email SIGMA-Vendor@michigan.gov.    Once your SIGMA – Vendor Self Service registration is complete, email Cliff Farr at farrc4@michigan.gov to provide him a VCUST number for him to confirm registration.  You will have the ability to update and make changes to your SIGMA – Vendor Self Service registration details as needed at any time.

3. Receive access credentials to the Sales, Inventory and Purchasing System (SIPS+) Registration Portal

Once you have your Vendor Representative License and have registered your banking information in SIGMA – Vendor Self Service, a link will be emailed to the email address provided on the Vendor Representative License application so that the vendor representative may register new or make changes to existing products.  The vendor representative may give access to anyone he/she wishes.  However, you will not be able to register new products until a valid Authorized Distribution Agent (ADA) contract is submitted into SIPS+ by at least one ADA.  Note:  ADA contracts must be submitted by the ADA, not the spirit vendor.

Authorized Distribution Agents

For instructions on how to submit a product for listing in the State of Michigan, please visit the SIPS+ webpage for more information.

If you have questions about registering a product in SIPS+ or the ADA appointment process, please contact the Commission Financial Management Division at lara-mlcc-finance-information@michigan.gov or 517-284-6260.