​1. Who We Are

VNE Importers, LLC ("VNE", "we", "us", or "our") is a licensed wine importer and distributor based in North Carolina. We do not operate a retail storefront. We act solely in accordance with North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) laws, as defined in N.C.G.S. Chapter 18B, and applicable federal TTB regulations.

 

2. Sales and Fulfillment Policy

 

2.1 North Carolina Sales

We are not permitted to sell directly to consumers in the state of North Carolina. All transactions within NC must occur between licensed wholesalers and retailers, per N.C.G.S. § 18B-1006(h) and § 18B-1107. All products listed for sale to NC customers must be routed through authorized three-tier distribution partners.

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2.2 Direct-to-Consumer Sales in Other States

We may offer direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales only in states where:

- It is explicitly permitted by that state's ABC laws,

- We meet all legal requirements (e.g., shipping permits, taxes, volume limits), and

- The recipient is of legal drinking age in their state.

If you are located outside NC, you are responsible for understanding and complying with your state’s laws regarding the receipt of alcoholic beverages. If DTC is not allowed in your jurisdiction, your order will not be fulfilled.

 

3. Supplier Agreements

Any vineyard, distributor, or importer wishing to have their products listed, imported, or distributed by VNE must:

• Be licensed and compliant with federal and state ABC laws,

• Have a signed distribution agreement on file with us,

• Complete all required product and label approvals through the NC ABC Commission, including COLA certificates, if applicable.

No product will be listed or distributed without full documentation and approval.

 

4. Pricing, Orders, and Inventory

• All sales are final once submitted unless otherwise stated by law or in writing.

• Prices are subject to change at any time based on market conditions, tariffs, availability, or logistics.

• We reserve the right to cancel or delay orders due to inventory issues or regulatory concerns. If we cancel an order, your payment will be fully refunded.

• We do not send SMS communications. All official updates will come via email.

 

5. Force Majeure

We are not responsible for any failure to perform due to reasons beyond our control, including but not limited to:

• Natural disasters,

• Transportation delays,

• Regulatory changes,

• Third-party failures (suppliers, warehouses, carriers), or

• Acts of war or terrorism.

(Reference: Standard legal doctrine of Force Majeure and applied in contract terms.)

 

6. Governing Law

All contracts and disputes involving transactions within North Carolina shall be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina and interpreted under N.C.G.S. Chapter 18B.

For DTC customers located outside of NC, any legal disputes will follow the laws of their state of residence, to the extent that state's law governs retail alcohol transactions.

 

7. Limitation of Liability

We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the availability, accuracy, or merchantability of our services or products. All sales are provided “as is” and “as available.”

VNE Importers will not be liable for indirect or consequential damages. In jurisdictions where limitations on liability are restricted, our liability will be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

8. Indemnification

By using our services, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless VNE Importers and its employees, vendors, and partners against any legal claims arising from:

• Misuse of our site or services,

• Violation of applicable laws (e.g., underage shipping),

• Breach of any of these Terms & Conditions,

• Misrepresentation of your legal ability to receive alcohol.

 

9. Arbitration and Dispute Resolution

We are committed to resolving disputes amicably. Before pursuing legal action, we request that you contact us at info@vneimporters.com with a formal notice of dispute.

If unresolved within 30 days, and if legally permitted in your state, we agree to pursue individual arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA). We do not participate in or support class-action litigation, and any claim must be filed individually.

Venue for any arbitration or legal action shall be:

• For NC-based matters: Dare County, NC.

• For out-of-state DTC customers: Your county of residence unless otherwise agreed.

 

10. Mass Arbitration Limitation

If disputes arise that involve 25 or more similar claims, all affected parties agree to engage in staged arbitration or coordinated mediation sessions before proceeding with multiple filings. We reserve the right to request court enforcement of these procedural rules.

 

11. Contractual Consistency

Our Terms & Conditions reflect and align with the terms in our distributor, supplier, and DTC contracts. In the event of a discrepancy, the governing contract between the parties shall prevail.

 

12. Entire Agreement

These Terms & Conditions, together with any executed contracts, constitute the entire agreement between you and VNE Importers. They supersede all previous communications and agreements.

If any part is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect.