Sending Alcohol in Europe, UK and Internationally

How to ship alcohol internationally by post or courier

Sending alcohol abroad to someone else is not a straightforward task because this is a heavily regulated type of item. Before scheduling your shipment, make sure you familiarise yourself with all the rules and restrictions for sending alcohol in the UK, Europe or internationally.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most important things you should consider before sending alcohol in the mail or by courier.

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Tips for shipping

Regulations

Most common questions

BEFORE SHIPPING

Things to consider before shipping alcohol internationally

Pay attention to the regulations applicable when sending alcohol by mail or by courier (read them below).
Please make sure you respect the courier’s alcohol shipping limitations.
Shipping alcoholic beverages in glass bottles is more dangerous than cans or plastic bottles because of the breakable nature of these items. Please make sure you properly pack your items for transport.
Shipments containing prohibited items are not protected by insurance, so you will be shipping at your own risk if you choose to send alcohol in the mail against the carrier’s instructions. Read more about our shipping insurance.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

Regulations on shipping alcohol in the EU and internationally

Different restrictions apply depending on the courier company used and the country you want to ship from/to. To make sure your shipment will run smoothly, before placing your order for sending alcohol in the mail or by courier, check the general guidelines below:

For businesses

In general, companies that produce or distribute alcoholic beverages can organise the delivery of their products. Most of the time, it is necessary for the company to sign an agreement to ship alcoholic items.

The transportation of heavy alcoholic drinks should be organised only through authorised logistics providers.

Do you want to organise shipments as a company? Get in touch with us to discuss what we can do for you!

For individuals

Receiving alcoholic drinks by mail or courier from online shops is perfectly legal. However, when it comes to sending alcohol yourself, whether in Europe or internationally, different restrictions apply.

Most courier companies consider alcoholic beverages as restricted or prohibited items for private shipments. Each courier has specific limitations regarding the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV) allowed and the total volume that can be shipped per package, so we recommend checking the courier regulations directly.

On top of that, it’s also important to make sure the item you want to ship is allowed to be imported/exported between the countries of pick-up and delivery. This is applicable even when shipping alcohol within the European Union because this is a state-regulated item.

Check the list of prohibited items

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POPULAR REQUEST

Sending alcohol internationally as a gift

Gifting alcoholic beverages is a very popular thing to do, so we get a lot of requests from people wanting to send alcohol internationally as a gift to a friend or loved one.

When you send alcohol as a gift to someone else, this constitutes a private shipment since it is to be done between two individuals. Therefore, it falls within the rules and restrictions described above. Most courier companies do not allow individuals to send alcohol internationally as a gift because this is a prohibited item.

PACKING GUIDE

How to pack alcohol for shipping in a package

Since this is a delicate and breakable item, ensuring you have proper packaging is extremely important when shipping alcohol through the mail or by courier. Follow this basic packing guide to make sure your shipment is properly secured:

Place each bottle in a hermetic plastic bag and put it into the bottle box. If you wish, you can add a layer of bubble or foam wrap to each box for extra cushioning.
If you are sending bottles with other personal items in the package, fill the empty spaces between the bottles with other objects for extra protection. Make sure the items are stable and cannot shift inside the box. If needed, add more cushioning materials.
Close the box and seal the edges and corners of the box with adhesive tape.
Add the shipping label if needed. You can also add a “Fragile” label when sending glass bottles.

GOOD TO KNOW

Is it obligatory to add a Fragile label when shipping alcohol abroad?

Adding a label indicating that your shipment contains fragile items is a good and recommended practice, but it does not substitute proper packing. You still need to make sure the items inside the package are properly secured for shipping.

However, it is important to note that unless you book a delivery service that provides special handling for such items, the courier is not obliged to treat your package differently.

FAQ on sending alcohol in Europe and internationally

Can I ship alcohol internationally with every courier company?

It is important to note that not all courier companies will ship alcohol internationally. For example, DHL, FedEx, TNT and UPS will not ship packages that contain alcohol within the content. Each courier has specific rules and requirements for different shipments and services, so we recommend checking this further with the designated courier for your route.

When booking the Express or Regular Plus shipping services with us, please make sure not to include these items, as the courier will refuse to collect the parcel. If you need further assistance, you can reach us by chat, phone or email before shipping to discuss your options further.

Can I send alcohol in the mail to the USA?

Most postal services prohibit sending alcoholic beverages through the mail. Licensed alcohol shippers may import alcohol to the USA with authorised couriers if they comply with state laws and local regulations on shipping alcohol.

What is the cheapest way to ship alcohol in Europe?

The cheapest way to ship internationally within Europe via courier is through the Standard Service. You can get an instant quote by entering the details of your shipment (pick-up and delivery addresses, parcel dimensions and weight, etc.) in our booking tool below. However, please note alcohol is considered restricted to ship, so you do so at your own risk.

Can I ship alcohol from the UK to Europe?

For businesses: Although shipping after Brexit is now more complicated than before, it is still possible for licensed companies to send alcohol in the post from the UK to Europe and vice versa. Since the goods will pass through customs clearance, you will have to pay VAT charges and duties, aside from preparing all the required shipping documentation. Businesses can only ship restricted items such as alcohol with authorised couriers.

For individuals: Shipping alcohol by mail or courier from the UK to Europe is not allowed for individuals. If any prohibited item is discovered in your shipment, the package may be returned to the sender instead of being delivered to the recipient.

Is it possible to ship alcohol to a friend?

Shipping alcohol to a friend would constitute a private shipment because it will be from one individual to another. In this case, the regulation for individuals described above would be applicable.

Most couriers or postal companies don’t allow the international shipping of alcoholic beverages between individuals. If you choose to do so, you will be shipping at your own risk.

Does UPS ship alcohol?

At UPS, only customers with a specific contract can ship alcohol whether in Europe, the UK, or abroad. The shipper must have the proper license to sell alcohol and sign a specific agreement with UPS. This option is mostly valid for companies.

Shipping alcohol with UPS without this agreement is not allowed and they reserve the right to not accept the shipment. Read more about shipping with UPS.

Is international alcohol shipping covered by insurance?

Licensed companies benefit from CMR insurance when sending alcohol as freight and can purchase additional shipping insurance at very low rates. If you want to ship alcohol as a business, please send us a message so we can coordinate everything for you.

However, alcohol shipped privately in the mail or via courier is not covered by insurance since it is listed as a restricted item.

Take these guidelines into consideration when sending alcohol internationally in the mail or by courier. Nevertheless, please consider that following them does not guarantee that the courier company will transport your package without restriction. If you decide to ship alcohol in Europe or abroad, Eurosender will not be held responsible for any damages caused by the transport of your shipment.

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How to ship with Eurosender

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Please make sure your shipment does not include restricted or prohibited items.