Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol?

forgop · 11-25-2010, 09:07 AM

It seems that UPS/USPS have taken a recent position of prohibiting alcohol for shipment. Anyone have any tips/suggestions for pulling it off? I recall someone mentioning elsewhere that if they suspect you're shipping something containing liquids that may be alcohol, they'll open it.

I've got them packed and I'm almost thinking I need to pack them inside yet another box for additional insulation/cushion.

Superbad · 11-25-2010, 09:10 AM

Fed Ex? I am just not sure it is worth it.

mosesbotbol · 11-25-2010, 09:15 AM

You mean UPS says your shipment was damaged and releases it the next day with a missing a bottle? That UPS????

You should only ship fruit syrup, you know that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superbad

Fed Ex? I am just not sure it is worth it.

FedEX ground is competitive with UPS.

All the wine collectors I know recycle wine shippers. Very high demand and useful item. I recently bought a padded cover with wheels for a 12 pack wine shipper so I can check it on flights!

T.G · 11-25-2010, 09:22 AM

Lots of bubble pack, double ziploc baggies or vacuum sealed bags, USPS priority and answer "no" when they ask you "anything liquid, perishable or fragile?"

Pack it tight, you just don't want it to move around in there.

Salvelinus · 11-25-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

Lots of bubble pack, double ziploc baggies or vacuum sealed bags, USPS priority and answer "no" when they ask you "anything liquid, perishable or fragile?"

Pack it tight, you just don't want it to move around in there.

I've been successful with this method. The medium box is a perfect fit for a few 22oz beers.

forgop · 11-25-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salvelinus

I've been successful with this method. The medium box is a perfect fit for a few 22oz beers.

But this is for multiple liquor bottles, not a couple of beers.

pnoon · 11-25-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop

But this is for multiple liquor bottles, not a couple of beers.

The difference in size between the two is minimal.
A 750 ml liquor bottle is a fraction over 25 oz.

GolfNut · 11-25-2010, 11:46 AM

I have been successful with Fed Ex ground shipping booze. Best shipping advise I can give you however is to send it to an address in Lewiston, Idaho. Let me know if you need it.

Cigarcop · 11-25-2010, 12:09 PM

Drink them first then transport!......all joking aside just pack them really good with lots of packing and send Priority Mail and don't tell them there's liquid inside.

bobarian · 11-25-2010, 12:25 PM

Both UPS and FedEx ship alcohol. You can get shipping boxes made specifically for wine bottles, check with a few local shipping supply stores. Shipping via USPS is not advised, you might get away with it but if they find liquids it will be destroyed. USPS does not allow shipping of any liquids.

BeerAdvocate · 11-26-2010, 08:03 AM

I strictly use UPS and have never had a problem.
I do several beer trades so I am always shipping beer a few times a month!

MiamiE · 11-26-2010, 08:08 AM

Duane you are too honest!

forgop · 11-26-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiE

Duane you are too honest!

It's just the idea that I read that if they suspect it's alcohol, it'll be confiscated, which is what I'm worried about. I used to ship wine quite a bit, but over the last year or two, it seems that USPS has really vamped up what they won't allow for shipment.

bobarian · 11-26-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop

It's just the idea that I read that if they suspect it's alcohol, it'll be confiscated, which is what I'm worried about. I used to ship wine quite a bit, but over the last year or two, it seems that USPS has really vamped up what they won't allow for shipment.

Its illegal to ship most liquids via USPS.

http://www.usps.com/aviationsecurity/

11-26-2010, 10:59 AM

I get wine shipped to me UPS regularly. I've never heard that they don't ship alcohol.

forgop · 11-26-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman

I get wine shipped to me UPS regularly. I've never heard that they don't ship alcohol.

Assuming you're getting it from a retailer in a "legal" state, there's nothing to worry about. The problem is the number of states that are illegal to ship to period (kinda screws that whole interstate commerce clause, doesn't it?) and from shipping from a private individual.

The Poet · 11-26-2010, 11:39 AM

Here at work, we ship wine all the time via FedEx Ground. But, as others have noted, there are potential problems. Not only do laws vary from state to state, with many prohibiting shipping into their state altogether, there are laws allowing wine but prohibiting beers or distilled liquors. We once had a state (I believe it was Delaware) return to us a case of brandy a customer had ordered because it was distilled. We argued with our FedEx rep that it was "fortified wine", and managed to get the shipment approved.

Bottom line, if you are not sure, you have two options. One, don't send it. Two, lie like hell.

forgop · 11-26-2010, 01:24 PM

I wonder what I shall declare the contents to be for it. It's not rocket science that anyone who pays the least bit of attention to the package would be able to notice that it's a liquid.

hotreds · 11-26-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop

I wonder what I shall declare the contents to be for it. It's not rocket science that anyone who pays the least bit of attention to the package would be able to notice that it's a liquid.

Then don't ship USPS! However, I'm sure that millions of bottles of perfume will be shipped by USPS this Christmas, technically also illegal.

forgop · 11-26-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotreds

Then don't ship USPS! However, I'm sure that millions of bottles of perfume will be shipped by USPS this Christmas, technically also illegal.

Too big of a box to use USPS...I was gonna use Fed Ex ground. I do like the lava lamp suggestion. I don't think perfume is on their restricted list either, but this box is just much too big.

11-25-2010, 09:07 AM	#1
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,869 Trading: (40)	Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol? It seems that UPS/USPS have taken a recent position of prohibiting alcohol for shipment. Anyone have any tips/suggestions for pulling it off? I recall someone mentioning elsewhere that if they suspect you're shipping something containing liquids that may be alcohol, they'll open it. I've got them packed and I'm almost thinking I need to pack them inside yet another box for additional insulation/cushion.

11-25-2010, 09:10 AM	#2
Superbad Have My Own Room Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Bobby Location: Panama City, FL Posts: 1,784 Trading: (53)	Re: Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol? Fed Ex? I am just not sure it is worth it. __________________ Some say he can whistle dixie whilst drinking a chocolate milkshake and that moss can grow on all sides of him at the same time.. all I know is that he's called: The SuperBad! - Ninjavanish

11-25-2010, 09:22 AM	#4
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol? Lots of bubble pack, double ziploc baggies or vacuum sealed bags, USPS priority and answer "no" when they ask you "anything liquid, perishable or fragile?" Pack it tight, you just don't want it to move around in there.

11-25-2010, 11:46 AM	#8
GolfNut Back in the woodshop! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Forrest Location: Living room Posts: 1,361 Trading: (38)	Re: Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol? I have been successful with Fed Ex ground shipping booze. Best shipping advise I can give you however is to send it to an address in Lewiston, Idaho. Let me know if you need it. __________________ www.wineadors.com

11-25-2010, 12:09 PM	#9
Cigarcop Wishin I Was Fishin Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pa, In a treestand Posts: 1,434 Trading: (40)	Re: Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol? Drink them first then transport!......all joking aside just pack them really good with lots of packing and send Priority Mail and don't tell them there's liquid inside.

11-25-2010, 12:25 PM	#10
bobarian Cranky Habanophile Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wine Country Posts: 8,869 Trading: (51)	Re: Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol? Both UPS and FedEx ship alcohol. You can get shipping boxes made specifically for wine bottles, check with a few local shipping supply stores. Shipping via USPS is not advised, you might get away with it but if they find liquids it will be destroyed. USPS does not allow shipping of any liquids.

11-26-2010, 08:03 AM	#11
BeerAdvocate BeerHunter Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Travis Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 1,912 Trading: (45)	Re: Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol? I strictly use UPS and have never had a problem. I do several beer trades so I am always shipping beer a few times a month! __________________ *I Brew the Beer I Drink*

11-26-2010, 08:08 AM	#12
MiamiE I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Erick Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,892 Trading: (38)	Re: Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol? Duane you are too honest!

11-26-2010, 10:59 AM	#15
BC-Axeman Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol? I get wine shipped to me UPS regularly. I've never heard that they don't ship alcohol.

11-26-2010, 11:39 AM	#17
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol? Here at work, we ship wine all the time via FedEx Ground. But, as others have noted, there are potential problems. Not only do laws vary from state to state, with many prohibiting shipping into their state altogether, there are laws allowing wine but prohibiting beers or distilled liquors. We once had a state (I believe it was Delaware) return to us a case of brandy a customer had ordered because it was distilled. We argued with our FedEx rep that it was "fortified wine", and managed to get the shipment approved. Bottom line, if you are not sure, you have two options. One, don't send it. Two, lie like hell.

11-26-2010, 01:24 PM	#18
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,869 Trading: (40)	Re: Anyone have recommendations for shipping alcohol? I wonder what I shall declare the contents to be for it. It's not rocket science that anyone who pays the least bit of attention to the package would be able to notice that it's a liquid.