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.
What are you interested in?
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.
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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 globally, 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.
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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.
Read more about shipping alcohol internationally
We have compiled dedicated guides about shipping specific types of alcoholic drinks internationally:
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
FAQ on sending alcohol in Europe and internationally
Can I ship alcohol internationally with every courier company?
Can I send alcohol in the mail to the USA?
What is the cheapest way to ship alcohol in Europe?
Can I ship alcohol from the UK to Europe?
Is it possible to ship alcohol to a friend?
Does UPS ship alcohol?
Is international alcohol shipping covered by insurance?
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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