How To Ship Alcohol Nationwide: Step By Step Guide For Beginners

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The shipping of alcohol is not as easy as it sounds. There are many factors to consider before placing an order with a company for your next party, wedding, or other event where you need to purchase wine and/or beer. You want to make sure that the company has experience in shipping different types of alcohol, that they know what is required by law when it comes to the packaging of alcoholic beverages, and that they can get your order out promptly without any damage occurring during transit. 

If you're on the fence about who you should use for shipping alcohol then read below! Here's all you need to know about the legalities and method of shipping alcoholic beverages via UPS, FedEx, or USPS.

Can I Ship Alcohol?

If you are an individual without a liquor license and no affiliation with a business entity, you are unlikely to be able to ship alcohol.

The ability to ship alcohol is governed by several state and municipal laws, where the shipper is based and where the receiver is situated.

What To Say When Shipping Alcohol

Here's an explanation you're not searching for: the truth. Do not try to conceal or obfuscate the content of your shipment from the shipper. This article aims to save you from lying to firms that can take disciplinary action against you.

Can I Ship Alcohol To A Friend?

The best approach to ship alcohol to a pal is to be aware of any alcohol-related shipping regulations in both the state of origin and the state of destination. Then you may decide which shipper—UPS, FedEx, or USPS—will perform the hard lifting for you.

Shipping Alcohol: UPS

Under some conditions, UPS authorizes the shipment of alcoholic beverages. However, you cannot ship alcohol with UPS if you are an individual or a non-commercial business.

UPS Wine Shipping

UPS transports wine only from licensed wine merchants, makers, or distributors who have signed a UPS wine shipment agreement. And, if necessary, a wine shipper's license from the destination country.

The shipment may be from one legal wine retailer or manufacturer to some other licensed wine retailer or manufacturer, based on the destination state's laws. It might also come straight from a licensed wine retailer, or maker, or another permitted DTC food business to a consumer.

If you do transport wine by UPS, consider proper wine storage and wine temperature during shipment.

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Related: How to Get Free Shipping Supplies from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL

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Is It Possible To Ship Alcohol By UPS?

UPS only handles shipments of spirits from licensed alcohol merchants, distributors, or producers, as it does with wine. These shipments may be: Depending on the legislation of the destination state, these shipments may be:

From license to license, UPS will transport alcoholic beverages from one permitted organization to another. Consumers will not be able to receive these shipments.

Consumers are contacted directly. The direct delivery of spirits to customers by a company permitted to sell, distribute, or make spirits. The buyer is named the consignee.

- Shipments from distilleries across state lines. Shipments from out-of-state distilleries to end-users.

- Shipments between distilleries within the same state. Direct shipments from in-state distilleries to consumers.

Some countries permit for all or none of the options listed above. Before trying any alcohol shipments, you must first verify with local laws. In addition, you must get any necessary shipper's licenses from the destination location.

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Related Post: A Detailed Guide on UPS Next Day Air Saver

UPS Beer Shipping

UPS will only deliver beer from shippers who have a valid store or brewery certification in their respective states. In addition, have a license or shipper's permission in the destination state, if appropriate.

UPS Penalty For Shipping Alcohol

You may face penalties if you attempt to circumvent UPS laws by shipping alcohol through the mail.

UPS is a certified alcohol carrier. This means that sending alcohol via UPS is not unlawful. If you are not licensed to sell or ship alcohol, UPS may punish you and seize your package. However, it is doubtful that there will be any legal consequences.

FedEx Shipping Alcohol

FedEx only delivered from FedEx-approved authorized alcohol shippers. Private consumers who do not have a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement cannot transport any form of alcohol by FedEx.

Is It Possible To Ship Alcohol With FedEx?

If you have a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Contract, you can. You must be a corporate body with the necessary alcohol licenses in your native state to be a participant in that arrangement. You cannot send alcohol via FedEx if you do not have a permit.

FedEx transports alcohol in four ways if you are a business organization with an alcohol license in your state:

- Within the United States, licensee-to-licensee.

- Within the United States, licensee-to-consumer

- International licensee-to-licensee

- International licensee-to-consumer

Do you notice a recurring theme? They all begin with the word licensee: no liquor licensing license, no FedEx shipping.

It should be noted that all foreign alcohol shipments can only be sent via Express. Overseas ground transportation is not a possibility. At the very least, your stream inventory will not be outstanding for long.

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Related: What is FedEx Ground Economy (FedEx Smartpost) For Businesses?

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FedEx Penalty For Shipping Alcohol

FedEx, like UPS, is legally permitted to ship alcoholic beverages. Attempting to ship alcohol via FedEx is not unlawful in and of itself. FedEx's internal policy states that they will only send with licensed organizations. That implies you'll be violating FedEx's terms of service rather than federal or state law. As a result, you may face a fine, and your shipment will almost probably be confiscated.

Shipping Alcohol USPS

Trying to ship alcohol via USPS is an entirely different beast than using UPS or FedEx.

Can I Ship Alcoholic Beverages Via USPS?

No way. There is no way for someone to mail alcohol by USPS. It's against the law. It makes no difference if you have a liquor license or whether you are a fully established liquor wholesaler. There is no way to mail alcohol by USPS.

USPS Penalty For Shipping Alcohol

When you try to get around USPS regulations, you're breaking US law. That is the main distinction between penalties for USPS and UPS/FedEx. The United States Postal Service is not a certified alcohol shipper.

If you try to send alcohol by USPS and are found, you could face serious legal consequences. The USPS is so anti-alcohol that they will even remove non-alcoholic commodities shipped in boxes or containers with liquor branding.

Final Thoughts

There are many factors to consider before placing an order with a company for your next party, wedding, or other event where you need to purchase wine and/or beer. You want to make sure that the company has experience in shipping different types of alcohol, that they know what is required by law when it comes to the packaging of alcoholic beverages, and that they can get your order out promptly without any damage occurring during transit. 

If this all seems like too much work (and we don't blame you), contact us at Simpl Fulfillment today! Our team will be happy to help pick up orders from distributors and package them according to federal regulations so there's no risk involved on behalf. See our our process works here.

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