Definition of Manufacturers and Distributors

• Who is a Beverage Manufacturer

• Who is a Distributor

Who is a Beverage Manufacturer

A beverage manufacturer is any person who bottles, cans, or otherwise fills beverage containers, or imports filled beverage containers, for sale to distributors, dealers, or consumers.

Beverage manufacturer requirements include:

• Monthly submission of Beverage Manufacturer Reports (DR-4) and corresponding payments for processing fees to the Division. The current Processing Fee can be found on the DOR Official Notices page.

• Maintain proper record keeping and record retention.

• Proper filing and payment of annual report if designated as having Annual Reporter status.

• Notification to the Division in writing if closing business or change in ownership.

Beverage Manufacturers must use the DR-4 for submitting their monthly report to the Division, which includes:

1. Company Name

2. Address

3. Contact Person

4. Telephone Number

5. Beverage Manufacturer ID Number

6. Reporting Period

7. Material Type

8. Container Count

9. Unit Fee

10. Processing Fee

11. Signature

12. Date

The requirements listed above do not cover every aspect of the law. It is the responsibility of the beverage manufacturer to read and understand the statute and all applicable regulations. Failure to comply with the statute and/or regulations may result in fines and possible civil penalties. If you need clarification, please call the Client Services Section at
(916) 327-7361.

Who is a Distributor

A distributor is any person who engages in the sale of beverages in beverage containers to a dealer in California, including any manufacturer who engages in these sales. Distributor also includes any person who imports beverages from outside of California for sale to dealers or consumers in California.

Distributor requirements include:

• Monthly submission of Distributor Reports (DR-3) and corresponding redemption payments to the Division. The current California Redemption Value (CRV) rate can be found on the DOR Official Notices page.

• Maintain proper record keeping and record retention.

• Proper filing and payment of annual report if designated as having Annual Reporter status.

• Notification to the Division in writing if closing business or change in ownership.

Distributors must use the DR-3 for submitting their monthly report which includes:

1. Company Name

2. Address

3. Contact Person

4. Telephone Number

5. Distributor ID Number

6. Reporting Period

7. Container Count

8. Empty Container Weight

9. Redemption Payment

10. Administrative Fee

11. Refillable Container Count

12. Refillable Container Weight

13. Signature

14. Date

The requirements listed above do not cover every aspect of the law. It is the responsibility of the distributor to read and understand the statute and all applicable regulations. Failure to comply with the statute and/or regulations may result in fines and possible civil penalties. If you need clarification, please call the Client Services Section at (916) 327-7361.