Can You Ship a Bottle of Whiskey Internationally?

How to ship a bottle of whiskey by mail or courier

Eurosender offers international shipping solutions for both business owners and individuals looking for a safe and easy way to ship whiskey internationally. We have prepared a detailed guide on how to pack and ship a bottle of whiskey by courier. Check the regulations for sending bottles of whiskey abroad and within Europe at the lowest rates.

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Shipping regulations

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Whiskey and other alcoholic beverages are usually restricted or prohibited items for shipping. Please note that insurance may not apply.

SMALLER SHIPMENT

Ship a bottle of whiskey abroad by courier

Transport solutions to consider depending on the size and time-sensitivity of your shipment:

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

HOW TO PACK

How to pack a bottle of whiskey for shipping

Correct packaging is essential if you are sending whiskey bottles in a parcel with other personal items. Follow the guidelines below when packing a bottle of whiskey for shipping:

Wrap the bottle with bubble wrap. You can also place it into a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent spillage in your parcel.
Put the bottles of whiskey into a cardboard box. Fill the empty spaces in the box with cushioning materials.
Close the box and attach the shipping label, if applicable.
Seal the edges and corners of the box with adhesive tape. You can label it as “fragile”.

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LARGER LOAD

Ship a large load of whiskey by courier

When transporting larger quantities of whiskey 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 whiskey for shipping on a pallet

For businesses shipping whiskey with the pallet delivery service, the best way to ship whiskey safely to your customers is to prepare the pallet as follows:

Pack the bottles of whiskey in boxes following the instructions above for shipping whiskey in a parcel.
Line the surface of the pallet with sheets of corrugated cardboard.
Place sheets of cardboard or polystyrene between each box of whiskey 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 tightly with stretch film or bubble wrap.

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SHIPPING REGULATIONS

Regulations for shipping whiskey in Europe and abroad

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

For businesses

In most cases, freight shipments of alcoholic beverages such as whiskey are perfectly legal for licensed companies and covered by the CMR insurance. To ship whiskey internationally, companies should agree on terms with authorised carriers only.

For individuals

Sending and receiving alcoholic drinks, such as whiskey, by mail or courier from online stores is legal. However, when it comes to shipping whiskey 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 bottles of whiskey as gifts abroad in the mail or by courier at their own risk. We recommend checking the rules and regulations of the pick-up and delivery countries in advance.

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FAQ about shipping whiskey in the mail or by courier

Can I ship whiskey internationally with every courier company?

It is important to note that not all courier companies will ship whiskey internationally. For example, DHL, TNT and UPS will not ship packages that contain whiskey 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.

Is it legal to ship whiskey overseas?

Although it is not illegal to send whiskey internationally, alcohol is heavily regulated and it is therefore important that you check the local shipping regulations that apply to you before placing your order.

What is the best way to ship a bottle of whiskey within Europe?

The best way to ship whiskey with Europe is through standard courier services. If you are shipping whiskey inside EU countries, your package will not need to go through customs before delivery. You can follow our packing tips above to ensure your whiskey is properly packed for shipping via courier. Since whiskey such as bourbon is a very popular gift idea, people usually pack it in their parcel with other belongings, for example clothes. Bear in mind that if you decide to send whiskey in the post or by courier, you do so at your own risk.

How much is it to send a bottle of whiskey in the post?

The price for shipping whiskey by mail or courier depends on the distance between the pick-up and delivery destinations, the weight and size of the shipment as well as the urgency and shipping service selected. You can get a quote for shipping a bottle of whiskey to any location home or overseas by entering your shipping information in the booking tool below.

What is the cheapest way to ship whiskey internationally?

The cheapest way to ship whiskey internationally by courier is through our Standard Service. You can get an instant quote by entering your shipping information (pick-up and delivery addresses, package dimensions and weight, etc.) in our booking tool below. This option is available to you if you are shipping within the EU.

Can I send whiskey to the USA from the UK?

For businesses: Although shipping after Brexit is now trickier than before, it is still possible for licensed companies to legally export whiskey from the UK to the United States. You will have to provide all the required documentation for the customs authorities and pay VAT charges.

For individuals: It is prohibited for individuals to ship whiskey or other alcoholic drinks abroad from the UK to the USA. Every shipment sent on this route will pass through customs and if any prohibited item is discovered, the package may be returned to the sender instead of being delivered to the recipient.

Does shipping insurance apply when shipping whiskey overseas?

Almost every service booked on the Eurosender platform is covered by basic insurance, which is already included in the price. However, whiskey and other restricted items are not covered by shipping insurance. Therefore, if you decide to ship whiskey as an individual in the mail or by courier, you do so at your own risk. Check the full list of restricted and prohibited items.

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Take these guidelines into consideration when sending bottles of whiskey 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 whiskey overseas, Eurosender will not be held responsible for any damages caused by the transport of your shipment.

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