How to Buy Food Grade Ethanol in West Virginia
Quick Answer: Buying Food-Grade Ethanol in West Virginia for Business Use
Short answer: a state permit is generally required. For industrial and B2B use, West Virginia conditions the purchase of 190/200-proof food-grade (non-denatured) ethanol on holding a state permit or license (WVABCA industrial/scientific license or special permit), under W. Va. Code ยงยง60-6-3, 60-4-5. Federal TTB rules for the seller apply on top of this. This is general information, not legal advice.
You can also check any state at a glance using our interactive tool: Ethanol Shipping Rules by State.
Who This Guide Is For
Simple Solvents sells exclusively to businesses — extraction labs, manufacturers, cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies, and other industrial buyers — for industrial, scientific, and manufacturing use. We do not sell to individual consumers and we do not sell for beverage use. This guide covers three product types: non-denatured (food-grade) 190/200-proof ethanol, specially denatured alcohol (SDA), and completely denatured alcohol (CDA).
West Virginia’s Rules for Industrial & Business Buyers
W. Va. Code ยงยง60-6-3, 60-4-5. $50 annual industrial-use fee; application requests entity, FEIN, vendor, purpose; licensees must keep records and report at least every 30 days; transportation over 1 gallon may require a permit and bond.
- Permit/License: WVABCA industrial/scientific license or special permit
- Agency: West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA)
- Conditions: $50 annual industrial-use fee; application requests entity, FEIN, vendor, purpose; licensees must keep records and report at least every 30 days; transportation over 1 gallon may require a permit and bond.
Denatured Alcohol (SDA & CDA)
Specially Denatured Alcohol (SDA): Federal TTB Part 20 permit required; ยง60-6-3 expressly preserves WV licensing/transportation requirements.
Completely Denatured Alcohol (CDA): Federally authorized denatured alcohol is included in the carve-out, but users remain subject to state license/transportation provisions.
The Federal Baseline (Applies in Every State)
Regardless of state, sellers of tax-paid, non-denatured (food-grade) alcohol must be registered as TTB liquor dealers under 27 CFR Part 31 (Form 5630.5d) and generally must sell in bulk containers of more than 1 U.S. gallon, with required recordkeeping. Buyers of ordinary tax-paid, non-denatured alcohol typically need no separate federal permit. Buyers of specially denatured alcohol (SDA) need a federal TTB Industrial Alcohol User Permit (27 CFR Part 20, Form 5150.33). Tax-free (non-tax-paid) alcohol follows a separate, narrower federal path (27 CFR Part 22) that most industrial buyers of tax-paid product do not need.
Ordering Food-Grade Ethanol from Simple Solvents
- Confirm your business’s specific permit needs (if any) using this guide and, where noted, your state agency.
- Visit SimpleSolvents.com and choose the product and grade (non-denatured, SDA, or CDA) that fits your process.
- Complete checkout with your business shipping and billing information.
- Provide any required permit documentation if your state requires it for your order.
- Track your shipment using the tracking information we provide after your order ships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to buy food-grade ethanol in West Virginia for business use?
Generally yes. West Virginia requires WVABCA industrial/scientific license or special permit from West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA) for qualifying industrial/business purchases.
Does this apply to denatured alcohol (SDA/CDA) too?
Federal TTB Part 20 permit required; ยง60-6-3 expressly preserves WV licensing/transportation requirements. Federally authorized denatured alcohol is included in the carve-out, but users remain subject to state license/transportation provisions.
Is this guide for personal or beverage use?
No. Simple Solvents sells only to businesses for industrial, scientific, and manufacturing use — never to individual consumers and never for beverage use.
Bonus: Beverage Alcohol Rules
This guide only covers industrial and business use of ethanol. West Virginia has separate rules for beverage alcohol that do not apply to Simple Solvents’ business customers: West Virginia allows licensed private direct shippers to ship liquor for personal use, limited to 2 bottles/3 liters per month, $250 annual license fee.
This information is provided for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Regulations change. Please confirm your specific requirements with West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA) and your own counsel before placing an order. Research confidence: High.