Sending champagne in the post or by courier
Find the best logistics solutions for shipping champagne within Europe or internationally. Check the rules and regulations for sending champagne in the mail or by courier. Our packing guide will give you further advice about how to transport champagne safely.
What are you interested in?
Champagne and other alcoholic beverages are usually restricted or prohibited item for shipping. Please note that insurance may not apply.
SMALLER SHIPMENT
Shipping champagne internationally in a package
PACKING GUIDE
How to pack a bottle of champagne for shipping
Here are the general guidelines on how to pack a bottle of champagne for shipping:
- Put the bottle in a Ziplock bag, then protect it with bubble wrap.
- Prepare a cardboard box, and fill it with cushioning materials.
- If you are sending a bottle of champagne with other personal items in the package, fill the empty spaces between the bottle 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 warning signs such as “Fragile” or “Handle with care” on your box.
Read more about shipping glass bottles.
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LARGER LOAD
How to transport champagne in large quantities
RECOMMENDED
Van Delivery: the best way ship champagne in bulk
Booking a dedicated van is ideal for transporting large quantities of fragile items such as champagne bottles. Even though there are no packaging restrictions for this service, we still recommend protecting the bottles for transport as follows:
- Wrap the champagne bottles with plenty of packing material.
- Pack the bottles in a cardboard box with a sheet of cardboard between each item to prevent them from bumping against each other.
- If you need additional help with loading and unloading the items, please inform us during the booking process.
SHIPPING REGULATIONS
Regulations for sending champagne in the mail or by courier
Different restrictions for sending champagne by post or courier apply in different countries across the globe. Here is a general summary:
For businesses
Different rules may apply depending on the countries of collection and delivery. Generally, businesses can ship champagne internationally as parcel or freight if arranged with licensed shipping providers. The company will need to provide the applicable certifications and proper packaging. When organised via licensed transport, the delivery is perfectly legal and is even covered by CMR insurance.
For individuals
Customers can request delivery when buying champagne online without any problems because the delivery is then organised by the seller, who is a registered company.
However, when it comes to shipping champagne in Europe or internationally between two individuals, the rules are different. Most courier companies include alcoholic drinks on their list of restricted and prohibited items, which means such items cannot be shipped by individuals. Despite this restriction, many people still send champagne as gifts abroad in the post or by courier but they do so at their own risk.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
FAQ on sending champagne internationally by post or courier
Can I ship champagne internationally with every courier company?
It is important to note that not all courier companies will ship champagne internationally. For example, DHL, FedEx, TNT and UPS will not ship packages that contain champagne 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 Priority 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 a bottle of champagne in the mail as a gift?
Although it is not recommended to send champagne in the mail, whether domestically or internationally, many people still do so at their own risk since champagne is a popular gift idea. The rules for sending champagne in the post depend on the countries of pick-up and delivery and also the shipping provider’s rules, so it is important to check these in advance to prevent any inconvenience at a later stage.
Can I send champagne to Europe from the UK?
Companies that have a special agreement with an approved carrier can legally send bottles of champagne or sparkling wine abroad. However, private shipments of champagne between Europe and the UK are not permitted.
What is the best way to ship champagne in Europe?
The best way to ship champagne in Europe is via a ground service since air freight has tighter shipping restrictions and can be more dangerous to a pressurised item such as champagne. You can follow our packing tips above to ensure your champagne is properly packed for transport. People usually pack bottles of champagne in their parcel with other cushioning items such as clothes. Bear in mind that if you decide to send a bottle of champagne as a gift in the post or by courier, you do so at your own risk.
Will champagne explode if shipped?
No, champagne should not explode if it is packaged properly with ample cushioning materials and shipped with a service using only ground transport.
Is champagne shipping covered by insurance?
Licensed companies benefit from CMR insurance when sending champagne as freight under specific agreements and can purchase additional shipping insurance at a very low rate. However, champagne sent privately in the mail or via courier is not covered by insurance, since it is listed as a restricted item.