Code of Massachusetts Regulations 204 CMR - ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CONTROL COMMISSION
Here’s a detailed overview of 204 CMR – Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC), part of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, current through at least March 14, 2025:
🧾 Scope & Authority
204 CMR comprises regulations implementing Chapter 138 of the Massachusetts General Laws, governing licensing, permits, advertising, pricing, reporting, and conduct for entities in the alcoholic beverage industry (mass.gov, mass.gov).
These rules, published by the Trial Court Law Libraries, were last updated on November 29, 2019, and reviewed through Register 1543 (March 14, 2025) (mass.gov).
🔍 Table of Contents – Key Chapters
204 CMR 2.00 – General ABCC rules: Licenses & permits, pricing, advertising, sales, premises, container/label rules, monthly reports, cover charges, etc. (mass.gov)
204 CMR 3.00 – Bottlers/distributors' reporting of deposits, refunds, and handling fees (mass.gov)
204 CMR 4.00 – Prohibition of unfair practices; record-keeping; severability (mass.gov)
204 CMR 5.00 – Regulations for ship chandlers, subject to M.G.L. c. 138 (law.cornell.edu)
204 CMR 6.00 – Price posting requirements for wholesalers (mass.gov)
204 CMR 7.00 – Special one-day or temporary licenses (mass.gov)
204 CMR 9.00 – Retail sale of malt beverages in kegs (mass.gov)
204 CMR 10.00 – Preventing discrimination by club licensees (mass.gov)
204 CMR 19.00 – Regulations for shipboard operations (licenses, service, security, definitions)
204 CMR 20.00 – Payment of fines as suspension alternatives (mass.gov)
✅ Chapter 2 Highlights
Sections 2.01–2.20 cover:
Licenses/permits, price lists, advertising rules.
Controls on sales, cover charges, container labeling, and substituting beverages.
Monthly reporting obligations and transportation rules (2.17)—including reporting, vehicle licensing, storage, record of transported stock, and annual fees ($1,000) (law.cornell.edu).
🗓️ Maintenance & Updates
Regulations are reviewed quarterly; current version valid through Register 1543, March 14, 2025 (regulations.justia.com).
No more recent updates noted beyond late 2019, but quarterly reviews may reaffirm text.
🧭 Next Steps
Access full text PDFs via the Trial Court Law Libraries or Mass.gov (204 CMR pages).
See if any ABCC advisories have been issued supplemental to these regulations.
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