Sending Alcohol in Europe, UK and Internationally

Sending alcohol as a gift in the post or by courier

Find out everything you need to know about sending alcohol in the UK, Europe or internationally, whether as a business or privately. Follow the packing guidelines for shipping alcohol safely domestically or abroad. Check the rules and regulations for sending alcohol in the mail or by courier. Contact our logistics experts if you need further advice about international alcohol shipping and low-cost transport options.

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Alcohol is usually a restricted or prohibited item for shipping. Please note that insurance may not apply.

SMALLER SHIPMENT

Shipping alcohol abroad in a package

Depending on the size and time-sensitivity of your shipment, Eurosender recommends:

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*Please bear in mind that some courier companies may include alcohol in their list of prohibited items. For any clarifications, please contact our team of specialists via chat.

HOW TO PACK

How to pack alcohol for shipping in a package

Packing guidelines for shipping bottles of alcohol in small amounts or sending them as gifts to Europe or overseas:

Place each bottle in a hermetic plastic bag and 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.
Close the box and seal the edges and corners of the box with adhesive tape.
Add the shipping label, if applicable. You can also add a “fragile” label when sending glass bottles.

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LARGER LOAD

Shipping larger loads of alcohol abroad

When shipping larger quantities of alcohol internationally by courier, especially as a company, you can choose between different shipping services to suit your needs:

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HOW TO PACK

How to pack alcohol for shipping on a pallet

For businesses shipping alcohol with the pallet delivery service in the UK, Europe or internationally, the best way to ship safely to your customers is to prepare the pallet as follows:

Pack the bottles or cans in boxes following the instructions above for shipping a package.
Line the surface of the pallet with sheets of corrugated cardboard.
Place sheets of cardboard or polystyrene between each box to prevent them from knocking against each other.
Place the boxes on top. Make sure that they are not sticking out from the surface of the pallet. Follow the weight specifications of the pallet manufacturer.
Secure the shipment on the pallet with straps and wrap it tightly with stretch film or bubble wrap.

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SHIPPING REGULATIONS

Regulations on shipping alcohol in the EU and internationally

Sending alcohol in the mail or by courier is common practice, even though different restrictions apply in different countries across the globe.

For businesses

Depending on the countries of collection and delivery, different rules may apply. Generally, freight shipments of alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer or cider are perfectly legal and are even covered by CMR insurance. In order to book freight shipments of stronger drinks such as whiskey or vodka, companies should agree on terms with authorised carriers only.

For individuals

Sending and receiving alcoholic drinks by mail or courier from e-commerce sites is legal. However, when it comes to shipping alcohol in Europe or internationally as an individual, it is worth noting that most courier companies include alcoholic drinks on their list of restricted and prohibited items. Despite this restriction, many people still send alcoholic drinks as gifts abroad by post or courier at their own risk. We recommend checking the rules and regulations of the pick-up and delivery countries in advance.

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, 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 internationally as a gift?

Although it is not recommended to send alcohol in the mail, whether domestically or internationally, many people still do so at their own risk since alcohol is a popular gift idea. The rules for sending alcohol in the post depend on the countries of pick-up and delivery, so it is important to check these in advance to prevent any inconvenience at a later stage.

Can I send alcohol in the mail to the USA?

Most postal services, including USPS and Royal Mail, 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 best way to ship alcohol in Europe by courier?

The best way to ship alcohol in Europe by courier is through our Standard Service. If you are sending alcoholic beverages within EU borders, your parcel will not need to go through customs clearance before delivery. You can follow our packing tips above to ensure your alcoholic drinks are properly packed for shipping via courier. People usually pack bottles or cans in their parcels with other cushioning items such as clothes. Bear in mind that if you decide to send alcohol in the post or by courier, you do so at your own risk.

What is the cheapest way to ship alcohol in Europe?

The cheapest way to ship alcohol internationally within Europe via courier is through our 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. This option is available if you are shipping within the EU.

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 international alcohol shipping covered by insurance?

Licensed companies benefit from CMR insurance when sending alcohol as freight and can purchase additional shipping insurance at a very low rate. However, alcohol shipped privately in the mail or via courier is not covered by insurance since it is listed as a restricted item.

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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 overseas, Eurosender will not be held responsible for any damages caused by the transport of your shipment.

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