Does Costco Deliver Alcohol in 2024? Everything You Need To Know
Costco is beloved for its unbeatable prices on quality wine, beer, spirits, and more. With a growing consumer demand for convenience, many members wonder: does Costco deliver alcohol straight to my door?
The answer is yes—over 200 Costco warehouses now offer same-day alcohol delivery through grocery delivery service Instacart. Costco has partnered with Instacart since 2019 to provide beer, wine and liquor delivery to homes across dozens of states.
This article will explore everything you need to know about getting alcohol delivered from Costco, including:
- Delivery fees, order minimums and tipping
- State restrictions on alcohol delivery
- ID verification requirements
- Availability of same-day delivery by location
- Huge savings compared to other alcohol delivery services
Plus, a step-by-step walkthrough on ordering beer, wine or spirits for delivery from Costco.
What Types of Alcohol Can You Get Delivered from Costco?
From quality wine and liquor to beer, seltzers and ready-to-drink cocktails, Costco offers an immense selection of alcoholic beverages for delivery.
Here‘s a quick glimpse at what you can order:
Wine: Red, white, sparkling, rosé, dessert wines, sangria, boxed wine, wine gift sets and more. Over 300 options.
Beer: Craft packs, domestic beer packs, hard seltzers, imported brews, non-alcoholic beer. Over 170 choices.
Spirits: Whiskey, vodka, tequila, rum, gin, cognac, liqueurs, ready-to-drink cocktails and spirit gift sets. Around 230 varieties.
For comparison, other alcohol delivery services like Drizly or Minibar typically offer 100-150 options in each category. So Costco provides far more selection in every type of adult beverage.
And of course, since it‘s Costco, the prices are lower than standard liquor stores while still delivering exceptional quality. It‘s a win-win.
How Much Does Costco Alcohol Delivery Cost?
Costco sets order minimums of $35 for Instacart delivery. As long as you hit that threshold, here‘s what to expect fee-wise:
- Delivery fee: Starts at $3.99 if your order is $35+
- Service fee: Starts at 5% of your order subtotal
- Alcohol surcharge: $4 added to each alcohol delivery order
- Tip: Recommended 5-10% tip for your Instacart shopper
So for example, if you purchase a $50 pack of craft beer, you‘ll pay around $8-13 in total fees and tips. Extremely reasonable!
To save the most money, build a bigger basket with friends and order in bulk. Instacart offers free delivery on Costco orders over $75.
Alcohol Delivery Regulations and Restrictions
Alcohol delivery laws and availability vary significantly by state. Over half of states allow delivery of beer, wine and spirits from retail stores like Costco to residences. However, many still prohibit it.
According to a 2022 survey from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), these states offer the most robust alcohol delivery:
| State | Regulatory Environment Score |
|---|---|
| California | 92/100 |
| District of Columbia | 63/100 |
| Florida | 61/100 |
| Nebraska | 60/100 |
| North Carolina | 55/100 |
Meanwhile, control states like Utah, Alabama and Pennsylvania have strict oversight and generally forbid alcohol delivery outright.
When it comes to Costco, Instacart will automatically assess the legality of shipping to your location based on local liquor laws. Over 200 Costco sites spread across dozens of alcohol delivery-friendly states participate.
State alcohol delivery regulations, via the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA)
So enter your ZIP code on Instacart to instantly learn if same-day delivery from your neighborhood Costco is allowed.
How Does Costco Verify Your Age for Alcohol Delivery?
When you order wine, beer or liquor for delivery from Costco through Instacart, a shopper will ask to see your photo ID matching your Instacart account info to verify you are 21+ before handing over alcohol.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Valid U.S. driver’s license
- Valid state-issued ID card
- Valid U.S. military ID
- Certain expired U.S. driver‘s licenses and state IDs
If the shopper cannot confirm your age, your order will be returned to the Costco warehouse and you‘ll receive a refund minus fees.
So make sure to have your ID ready! As long as you prove you‘re of legal drinking age, you‘ll get to enjoy Costco‘s alcohol delivery service.
Can I Get Same-Day Delivery on Costco Alcohol Orders?
One of the best perks of Costco‘s alcohol delivery is yes – you can receive beer, wine and spirits in as little as a few hours!
When placing your order on Instacart, simply select the soonest available delivery time that fits your schedule. Depending on warehouse stock and shopper availability in your area, options may include:
- Within 1 hour
- Within 2 hours
- Same-day delivery: Receive within several hours
As long as you order during peak business hours (10AM-7PM generally), same-day alcohol shipment from Costco is often possible.
Of course, order volumes and seasonal demand can impact delivery windows so your exact options will vary day to day. But Instacart makes it easy to find a timeslot that works for your needs!
Is Alcohol Delivery from Costco Available in My Area?
Over 200 Costco warehouses across dozens of states have partnered with Instacart to offer alcohol delivery. But it‘s important to verify if your specific location is included.
Simply enter your ZIP code on the Instacart website or mobile app. If your local Costco appears with an alcohol delivery option, then you‘re eligible!
If same-day shipment of wine, beer or liquor isn‘t available, you may still be able to receive non-alcohol Costco groceries for delivery through Instacart.
To recap the 200+ alcohol delivery-enabled warehouses:
- West Coast: California, Washington, Oregon all widely supported
- South: Texas, Florida, North Carolina sites participate
- Northeast: New York, Massachusetts locations on board
- Midwest: Illinois, Ohio stores included
And the list continually grows as more states modernize alcohol delivery rules!
How Much Can I Save Ordering Alcohol from Costco vs. Other Services?
From local liquor stores to Drizly and Minibar, options abound if you want beer, wine or spirits delivered.
But Costco clearly offers the best bang for your buck.
For example, let‘s compare the Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum 1.75 L bottle.
| Retailer | Price | Fees | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | $32.99 | $12* | $44.99 |
| Local liquor store | $36.99 | $10 | $46.99 |
| Drizly | $40.49 | $12 | $52.49 |
| Minibar | $42.99 | $15 | $57.99 |
*$35 order minimum, $3.99 delivery fee, 10% tip
As you can see, Costco comes out significantly cheaper even after paying delivery charges – thanks to its unbeatable base pricing!
And this example is representative across all alcohol types – spirits, wine, beer, etc. By tapping into Instacart delivery, you can access Costco‘s famously affordable selection right at home for less.
Step-By-Step Guide to Ordering Alcohol Delivery from Costco
Want to take advantage of beer, wine and liquor delivery straight from your neighborhood Costco warehouse? Just follow these simple steps:
1) Open the Instacart app or website and enter your zip code
2) Browse alcohol delivery options from local Costco store
3) Build order of wine, beer or spirits
4) Ensure $35+ order minimum
5) Select same-day or future delivery time
6) Check out & pay
7) Provide ID matching your account when order arrives!
It only takes a few minutes to place your order. Costco delivery via Instacart makes enjoying amazing adult beverages totally hassle-free!
From staying cost-competitive to abiding by state regulations, Costco has developed an exceptional alcohol delivery experience through Instacart.
Over 200 warehouses now provide beer, wine and spirits for same-day shipping…often at the best prices you’ll find online.
So the next time you need to stock up or have forgotten a bottle for entertaining guests, let a Costco Instacart shopper source everything for you!
Thanks to Costco teaming up with Instacart, delighting guests with high-quality alcohol at home has never been more convenient.
