How to Ship Wine Internationally by Courier

Shipping wine internationally as a gift by mail or courier

Are you a business owner looking for the best way to ship wine to your customers and partners internationally? Or would you like to send a bottle of wine as a gift to your friends and family? Find here the best logistics solutions for shipping wine by courier within Europe or abroad. Check how to properly pack a bottle of wine to ensure safe transit and get the best wine courier service to send it.

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Shipping regulations

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

SMALLER SHIPMENT

Sending a single wine bottle internationally

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

HOW TO PACK

How to pack wine bottles for shipping with a courier

Although most postal services and couriers do not recommend sending wine overseas, it is still a popular gift item to ship abroad. Choose quality packaging materials and pack the wine bottles properly for shipping internationally via courier to avoid potential damage to your parcel or other items in transit.

Wrap the bottles individually with bubble wrap to protect your bottles during transit. You can also place each wine bottle in a leak-proof plastic bag to protect your package in case of spillage.
Put the wine bottles into a carton box. Fill any empty space left with cushioning material.
Close and seal the shipping box. Attach the label if needed. You can also add a sign “Fragile” or “Handle with care” on the top of your wine packaging.

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LARGER LOAD

Send multiple wine bottles internationally with a courier company

When sending wine bottles within Europe or abroad, you can choose between different shipping services to better match your needs.

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HOW TO PACK

How to pack wine bottles in pallets for shipping internationally

For businesses shipping wine using the pallet delivery service, we suggest following the packaging steps below:

Place some liner paper on the pallet and place the boxes containing the wine bottles on it.
Add liner paper between each layer you stack, to decrease friction and spread the weight evenly.
Fix the shipment to the pallet with straps and secure it with stretch foil or bubble wrap. Attach the shipping label.

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SHIPPING REGULATIONS

Regulations on shipping wine internationally by courier

For businesses

Depending on the countries of collection and delivery, different rules may apply. Generally, freight shipments of wine bottles delivered by licensed transport companies are perfectly legal and are even covered by CMR insurance. Authorised businesses can also send single wine bottles via courier services when selling to their customers, which is usually done under special agreements with the transporter.

For individuals

Sending and receiving wine by mail or courier from e-commerce sites is legal. However, when it comes to shipping wine in Europe, the UK 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 wine internationally as a gift in the post or by courier at their own risk. We recommend checking the courier rules and the regulations of the pick-up and delivery countries in advance.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

FAQ on wine shipping in Europe, the UK and internationally

Can I ship wine with every courier company?

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

Do people ship wine by mail?

Yes, even though wine is not recommended for shipping by courier or mail companies, many people still send bottles of wine every day at their own risk. When travelling to France, Italy, Spain, or another country famous for its wines, it is difficult to resist the temptation of buying a bottle of tasty wine to bring it home with you. If you decide to do so, please remember that properly packaging wine bottles for shipping is essential to ensure maximum safety during transit.

Is shipping alcohol from Europe to the USA legal?

Licensed companies that have a special shipping contract with a courier company may legally ship wine internationally. Shipping alcohol, including wine, from EU countries to the United Kingdom or to the USA is not allowed for private individuals.

Does insurance apply when shipping wine by mail or courier?

Businesses shipping wine internationally as freight with an authorised transporter are covered by the CMR insurance and may purchase additional insurance directly from the carrier. Using the standard service, private individuals and companies who decide to ship wine will be doing so at their own risk. In this case, the shipment will not be covered by insurance in case of damage.

Is it possible to ship wine internationally as a gift?

The rules for shipping wine internationally depend on the countries of pick-up and delivery. Every package shipped across international borders has to go through customs clearance procedures. However, many people still decide to send a bottle of wine as a gift within the European Union at their own risk or when buying wine online directly from authorised online shops.

Is it still possible to import/bring wine from France to the UK after Brexit?

Yes, but there are different limits and allowances. As of 2021, with the conclusion of Brexit, the rules about bringing wine from France to the UK for personal use have been modified to lower the limit. Now, travellers can bring up to 18 litres of still wine (around 24 bottles) and 9 litres of sparkling or fortified wine (12 bottles) when entering the UK.

These limits apply only to private users buying wine abroad and bringing it to the UK for their personal use. Individuals with any intention of selling their wine bottles should comply with the new customs regulation for businesses. Read more about shipping after Brexit here.

Can I get wine delivered to my house?

Yes. Stores that sell wine online usually offer many delivery options, including deliveries directly to your door. All you have to do is double-check their delivery conditions and make sure they offer transport to your city/region. There are several stores online that ship bottles of wine from France to the UK, from Portugal to the USA and many other destinations.

Can businesses organise wine shipping services with Eurosender?

Even though we offer extensive logistics solutions for businesses, we still have to comply with the shipping regulations imposed by the couriers. Shipping wine internationally via Standard or Priority Express Services is not allowed, but we encourage producers and distributors to contact us when looking for the best shipping quotes for delivering wine. Our logistics experts will be glad to explain all the shipping options and insurance available for your needs.

How has Brexit influenced wine shipping to the UK?

Companies can still send wine to and from the UK. Since Brexit came into effect in January 2021, shippers need to prepare a customs declaration and all export formalities. All wine shipments are subject to VAT, customs taxes, and excise duties regardless of the value. The number of taxes depends on ABV.

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