38 replies to this topic

[feffer]

I want to send small quantities -- maybe 12 bottles -- of wine to some friends and family who live in other States. I'm just a hobbyist and am not selling the wine -- gifts only. What's the best way to do this? Also, is it practical to take wine along when flying to visit family?

thx

[WineUtopia]

I know FedEx used to have cooled wine shippers, not sure if they still do. If you do take it in a checked suitcase make sure you pack it really well. I had an "incident" where I threw a couple bottles in my checked luggage before flying and with all the throwing by the baggage handlers they broke. Had to buy all new suits.

[rpage53]

There is no legal way for you to ship wine in the US or Canada but lots of people do it anyway.

Rick.

[NorthernWiner]

There is no legal way for you to ship wine in the US or Canada but lots of people do it anyway.

That's absolutely not true, at least for the US. While you can't legally ship alcoholic beverages through the US post office, you can use private shipping and courier companies, provided it's allowed by their individual company policies AND it's allowed by the state you are shipping it to.

Now as for who allows it, well, that's the tricky bit.

I've had good luck with UPS overall. UPS will not ship wine if you tell them that's what is in the parcel. However, if you pack it up yourself and drop it off at one of their locations, they will usually ship it no questions asked. I would not recommend shipping an entire case, though. That's a little too obvious, not to mention prone to breakage. Maybe 3 or 4 bottles at a time.

As for traveling with wine, no problems at all there. I recently flew back from Phoenix with an entire case of wine in our checked luggage. Just make sure you pack it well. You don't want one or more bottles of red wine breaking in a suitcase full of clothes.

EDIT: I'm also moving this thread to the "chit chat" area, since it isn't a winemaking topic.

[rpage53]

You say that if you told UPS you were shipping wine they wouldn't accept it. Sounds like you agree with me. You must be licensed and fill out the appropriate forms for UPS or FedEx. UPS was planning to end their wine shipping program completely even for commercial purposes -- too many hassles. Some states do not allow even commercial wineries to ship to individuals.

FedEx says "Only properly licensed wholesalers, licensed dealers, licensed distributors, licensed manufacturers, licensed retailers or licensed importers may ship wine via FedEx^® services. Consumers may not ship wine or alcohol of any type via FedEx services."


Rick.

[fmestas]

You say that if you told UPS you were shipping wine they wouldn't accept it. Sounds like you agree with me. You must be licensed and fill out the appropriate forms for UPS or FedEx. UPS was planning to end their wine shipping program completely even for commercial purposes -- too many hassles. Some states do not allow even commercial wineries to ship to individuals.

FedEx says "Only properly licensed wholesalers, licensed dealers, licensed distributors, licensed manufacturers, licensed retailers or licensed importers may ship wine via FedEx^® services. Consumers may not ship wine or alcohol of any type via FedEx services."


Rick.

Just because they won't provide the service, doesn't make it illegal. As Steve said, the actual legality depends on the state. As for the carriers, It's up to them to enforce their self-imposed policies. If one doesn't want to/ can't use UPS or Fedex, there are other (more expensive) options available like air freight and private courier.

[gregorio]

The only carrier that cannot accept alcohol BY US FEDERAL LAW is the USPS. UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc are not restricted but instead have corporate policies restricting the act to licensed shippers. Every state is different in how it trys to regulate (read TAX) shippers WRT alcohol but to my knowledge, none have made it a law limiting only licensed shippers. Recent SCOTUS decisions have dumped much of the individual State's restrictions on interstate commerce.

[rpage53]

Recent SCOTUS decisions have dumped much of the individual State's restrictions on interstate commerce.

There's no doubt that commercial shipping of wine is getting much better (except in Canada), but I have yet to see any provisions for consumer to consumer shipping. If someone actually knows of such a change to the law, please point it out.

In Canada, it isn't even legal to drive across a provincial boundary with alcohol. I have been unable to get Ontario wines in BC. However wineries can ship from Canada to the US so I thought my nephew could receive and then ship it to me. But no carrier would take it from him, only from a licensed shipper.

Rick.

[deb_rn]

But you CAN ship raspberry flavored vinegar!! Labelling... it's all in the labelling.

Debbie

[feffer]

But you CAN ship raspberry flavored vinegar!! Labelling... it's all in the labelling.

lol...nice work-around! I'll try UPS using 3-4 bottle batches. Last year a local wine-merchant tasted my plum wine and mentioned that if I wanted to ship it to friends I could do that through his shop. However, I never followed through and he's now out of business. I don't know whether this is a useful option, or simply a more expensive way of handling something I could do myself.

[Climber]

My wife and I work several days a week at a local business that ships UPS twice a week. And I'm in charge of the shipping! Great way for me to ship my wines. Print a label for mine, along with all the others going out, and add my box to the stack.

Larry

[IStopPux]

I work for the US Postal Service Headquarters (to support my winemaking hobby) and have been telling everyone there for years that we need to get into the wine-shipping business. So far, nobody has done anything with my suggestion.

However, there is currently a bill in the Senate (S. 1789, sponsored by Lieberman) that will allow the USPS to begin shipping wine. I imagine it will be with the same provisions as private shippers (UPS, FedEx), but it will no longer be prohibited.

Jim

[Calamity Cellars]

I work for the US Postal Service Headquarters (to support my winemaking hobby) and have been telling everyone there for years that we need to get into the wine-shipping business. So far, nobody has done anything with my suggestion.

However, there is currently a bill in the Senate (S. 1789, sponsored by Lieberman) that will allow the USPS to begin shipping wine. I imagine it will be with the same provisions as private shippers (UPS, FedEx), but it will no longer be prohibited.

Jim

For an organization that is losing hundreds of millions of dollars every year is seems like they should be looking for opportunities to enter every market possible. It's kind of like me saying I just won't tow blue cars regardless of the financial consequenses. If the situation is legal then the post office should ship it. Just another example of why government & business just don't mix.

[feffer]

Some time has passed on this thread, but I did send 2 bottles to my brother in another State using UPS. As was mentioned, I didn't say what was in the package and they didn't ask. The downside was the cost, about $22. I would like to send more to other friends and family, but need a more economical way. Is it possible to use a commercial wine shipper?

[Wade's Wines]

My Son sent me 2 bottles from Louisianna. He went to a wine store, bought the wine and had them ship it. It arrived in a carton designed for shipping 2 bottles, with special styrofoam inserts.
I don't know if other wine stores will do that or not, or if they will only ship wines they sell. Couldn't hurt to ask.
I've thought about sending a case of wine to my Daughter, in an original wine box. The wineries ship in these all the time. I'd probably vacuum bag each bottle just to be safe. I might even place the whole box inside another box with a sheet of styrofoam on all sides, for over-kill.
Do any of you ever ship full cases?