Ever wanted to send someone beer in the mail? You might be surprised at how common beer trading and beer shipping really is.
However, to ensure that your package arrives at its destination in one piece, you must ensure that you properly package your beer for shipping. use this method and you won’t have to worry.
Disclaimer: You ship beer at your own risk.
quick tips; how to mail beer
- Use a strong double-walled box or put one box inside another.
- Use plenty of padding. peanuts and bubble wrap work best.
- make sure no glass touches.
- make sure nothing moves when you shake the box.
- use these shipping bottles for the easiest way to pack and ship.
- tape, tape, tape!
- write fragile on the box (although not convinced this makes any difference)
- write “liquid yeast samples” on the box (more or less true).
- try canning the beer so the recipient can reuse the packaging materials.
- line the box with bubble wrap or foam.
- ship beer via ups or fedex using an online account and print your shipping label at home. don’t use usps.
- avoid shipping beer in hot weather.
the complete guide to shipping beer
update: If you’re wondering about beer trading, homebrew shipping, or just how to mail beer to your friends and family, I do both frequently.
While many homebrewers like to make beer themselves, many like to share their products with friends and family in other countries. some may want to expand their business, export their products and gain recognition.
There are also beer contests around the world that attract participants from far away, even from other continents. There can be a plethora of various reasons why you might want to ship beer out of your country.
When you take the time to learn how to brew your own beer at home that tastes better than you thought, who wouldn’t want to share it with friends and family?
In this article, you will receive some useful rules and tips that you should know before taking the next step in your endeavors as a homebrewer.
is it legal to ship beer to the united states?
The short and direct answer would be “no”, unless you have the proper license and documents to do so. shipping any alcoholic beverage is against the policies of most shipping companies: all kinds of liquid products in glass bottles; it is considered dangerous for shipping.
If you decide to start shipping beer anyway, you should remember that you do so at your own risk. When doing so, try to secure your package as much as possible so that it can reach its destination safely.
That said, depending on the country you live in, you may find some options on how to ship beer to other countries. Find out what laws and restrictions the shipping company may have regarding shipping alcohol.
first, as a strong recommendation, don’t use usps to ship beer. they have a strict policy on this, so it’s best not to try to break it. while some may prefer to use them when shipping internationally, the risks are too high if they find out what you’re shipping.
fedex and ups also have restrictions on shipping beer and other types of alcohol. but it is not impossible to do it with them. It is an excellent and recommended idea to have everything properly packed before taking it to the transport company. that way, you can avoid some of the annoying questions from the employee.
a good option is to open an account with the transport company of your choice. this is especially recommended if you will be shipping beer frequently. That way, you can automate your payments and save time by having shipping labels for your package.
There may be other local shipping companies with less strict policies in your location, so be sure to do your research before deciding which one to use.
beer packaging details
You’ve made up your mind and decided to try shipping your beer anyway. Now it’s time to see how to make your package safe to travel all the way. you have to be especially careful with the packaging part because, again, you are doing it without a license.
In the event of an accident, you can lose all your products, even if only one bottle breaks.
Depending on the carrier you’re using, your package may be thrown away if they find it to be beer or alcohol, and you may receive a notification from them. Or, in the case of USPS, you’ll get a visit from a government agent for breaking the law.
Labeling your package as fragile won’t guarantee it’s safe arrival, but it helps. it is even more difficult to insure the box when you ship it to other countries. Selecting fedex and ups as your shipping carriers may give you more security than trying a lesser known one.
Before discussing which materials are best for your package, choose whether to ship your beer in glass bottles, plastic bottles, or cans. You have to be especially careful with glass, as it is easier to break.
on the other hand, glass bottles preserve beer much better than plastic ones, and are less expensive than cans.
You can find wine shipping kits and shipping boxes at Amazon and other big box retailers. You can also talk to a local wine merchant and buy shipping supplies from them. It is better than buying the shipping materials from shipping companies because they sell it at a higher cost.
If you don’t want to spend money on kits, make sure the materials you’re using have the following characteristics:
- Cardboard boxes should be sturdy, and make sure they are in top condition.
- They should not have holes or gouges; they could tear and reveal the contents of the box, and you could get in trouble.
- Use at least three cardboard boxes for each package.
Wrap your bottles with bubble wrap, and if you want added security for each bottle, place the wrapped bottles inside small ziploc bags. if you don’t have bubble wrap, you can use other filler materials like old newspaper or clothing.
Rubber bands are also a useful option for securing the wrap around beer bottles. this will make it easier to unwrap once the package reaches its destination. make sure the elastic bands are also in excellent condition. cheap rubber bands can break if you push too hard on their elasticity.
then you can put your cardboard box inside a plastic garbage bag, or a gallon size ziploc bag. you will avoid or minimize any leakage. remember that the transport companies will discard any package that leaks.
Optionally, you can use electrical tape around the caps of the bottles to prevent bursting from sudden movement during shipping. some home brewing kits already come with a wax seal for your bottles, which is even better.
Also invest in a large roll of shipping tape to make sure everything is attached correctly. you’ll need it to secure all sides of the boxes and patch any weak spots you might find.
As a quick note: if your product is in a can or plastic bottle, try to avoid bubble wrap or too much wrapping. You should also instruct the person receiving the package to be careful when opening it.
some people may not be patient enough to unwrap each bottle. using a sharp instrument to cut the wrapper could puncture the plastic bottle or can and spill the beer.
It may seem like a lot of material for a few bottles, but you’ll find that it can be essential to a successful shipment.
If the package is leaked, it can damage other packages, so companies will drop it. It’s better to have just one broken bottle in a well-wrapped box than to lose it all.
helpful hints and tips
here you can find some tips and recommendations for shipping beer and other alcoholic beverages. These tips are also helpful if you are traveling with these types of bottles from one state or country to another.
Follow them to reduce accidents during the shipping process and reduce the risks you take from shipping without a license.
fragile content.
be sure to label each side of the package as “fragile”. you can use a marker or buy stickers to put them everywhere. won’t guarantee your package will arrive safely, but it makes a world of difference.
triple security.
place your box inside a slightly larger box. then put that box inside a third box. that way, you can triple the strength of the pack. make sure there are no gaps between the boxes and that it fits as snug as possible. you can fill small spaces with more padding.
avoid leaks.
The best way to package your beer, especially if it’s in glass bottles, is to wrap it with bubble wrap or other padding. but it may not be enough to prevent an accident.
Place each bottle in an individual ziploc bag. In addition, you can cover the inside of the box with a garbage bag. make sure there are no air pockets between the bag and the carton.
be ecological, reuse.
If you have unused cardboard boxes lying around your house, you can try using them instead of buying shipping supplies. Reuse the boxes you receive as much as you can, as long as they are in the right condition.
try to avoid using too much tape, especially with bubble wrap. that way you can reuse the bubble wrap for future shipments.
don’t say it’s beer.
If asked what you’re submitting, avoid mentioning alcohol. identify them as oil bottles, collective glassware, etc. some identify them as samples of yeast, which is not entirely false.
You probably won’t be asked many questions, so don’t act suspiciously like you’re doing something wrong.
Ship your package via ground transportation.
If possible, try to ship “ground”. this means, don’t blow up your package. sudden changes in pressure and temperature are not suitable for carbonated bottles, and they may not reach their destination.
If your product has to go abroad, try to do it by ship instead of by plane.
first shipment.
Try to ship your products at the beginning of the week. in this way it helps you reduce the time that the package can remain in a warehouse. some companies do not deliver on weekends.
When shipping beer, it must arrive quickly to the person who receives it so that it can be stored in optimal conditions.
less space is better.
When placing the bottles inside the crate, make sure there is enough room for movement between them. if the bottles cannot be moved, there will be less chance of them shaking and breaking.
separate each bottle from the other with more pieces of cardboard and as much padding as you can.
make it harder to smash.
remember to put more padding on each side of the box. You cannot be sure if your package will be on top of others, or if other boxes will be placed on top of it during shipping.
The security of your packages depends on you.
expensive gifts.
Think carefully about how much you want to send. Shipping cost will increase depending on the size and weight of your package.
If you’re sending beer to friends or family as a gift, consider whether it’s really worth bringing more than half a dozen.
can you ship beer internationally?
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, shipping alcoholic beverages without a license to do so is illegal. this is because liquid products contained in a breakable glass are considered “dangerous goods”.
can break inside the package, even if the sender wraps it very carefully and tightly. if the liquid leaks out, it can damage other packages.
also, broken glass could cut the packaging and injure an employee or the person receiving the package.
To avoid these kinds of problems, shipping couriers prefer to have strict policies on shipping beer, wine, and other alcoholic products. still, this doesn’t stop people from shipping beer and other products on a daily basis.
You should first look at what restrictions and prohibitions shipping companies have when making shipments to other countries. In addition, you must investigate the import restrictions that the country of destination may have. some countries have additional taxes for specific packages.
In some countries, such as the UK and Ireland, receiving alcohol is prohibited.
In summary, shipping to other countries is something that can be done, but you have to be very careful. take your time to research and learn about the laws on shipping alcohol in the destination country. Also, follow all the tips above to avoid accidents as much as possible.
if you want to ship beer across europe, you can use shipping companies like eurosender. is a courier company in Europe that allows users to send beer and other alcoholic beverages around the continent and even abroad, as long as the package complies with the laws and restrictions of the countries to which it is sent.
get into the groove
Shipping beer can seem very complicated. there are many things you need to take care of to ensure that the package arrives safely at the destination point. You also need to make sure you don’t break some fundamental laws.
Sounds like a lot for something you don’t do often. you can only do this occasionally: if you want to send a gift to a friend, or if you bought some bottles on vacation and want them to arrive safely at your home.
according to most eu country restrictions, a person traveling alone can take 110 liters of beer and travelers from non-eu countries can only take 16 litres.
But if it’s something you want to do, you’re not left without options. use fedex and ups for your shipping, and avoid usps altogether. As long as you keep your products safe and well packed, you don’t need to advertise what’s inside the box.
Please take note of the tips and tricks above before submitting. This way you will avoid accidents and you will feel sure that your package will arrive in the best conditions.
Don’t forget that shipping companies will dispose of leaking boxes that could damage other packages, so take all necessary precautions.
Finally, you should research the country of destination and prepare for any circumstance in case your package does not arrive as expected.
If you’re a new homebrewer and want to start shipping your product, you can contact your local brewing community. They are especially useful for those who are starting out in this type of project. don’t be afraid to seek their advice; they are often friendly and trustworthy.
After announcing my beer club reviews of the month, some readers asked me if the clubs would ship to their state. I admit, I was stumped.
So I hired a beer shipping expert.
rick boyd is the owner of brewforia, a craft beer store in meridian, idaho. brewforia also sells beer online, so I asked rick to help me understand the beer shipping laws.
enter rick:
Even the most casual observer is aware of the revolution taking place in brewing. In the last five years, hundreds of breweries have opened in every region of the country and these new brewers are challenging the status quo by producing beers the likes of which the world has never seen.
so how does someone who lives in nashville, tn get a bottle of candy? imperial chocolate pumpkin porter from the midnight sun that is made in alaska? let me tell you it’s not easy.
We are very used in this country to go to the local store and buy whatever product we want. Pretty much no matter where you live, you can shop for the latest electronics or fashion, enjoy the latest movies or music, and even some of the more exotic ethnic cuisines, but it’s not that simple with beer.
Thanks to the extremely limited brewing capacity of craft brewers and antiquated laws regulating the sale of alcohol, getting your hands on a bottle of some of the rarest and most interesting craft beers is next to impossible. That said, there is one place you can go: the internet.
with the ruling granholm vs. heald, the supreme court made it possible for people to order alcohol, specifically wine online, and have it shipped directly to their homes. Since this ruling, a handful of retailers have begun offering craft beer selections for sale online.
The internet really is the best opportunity for craft brewers to get their beer into as many different hands as possible, as it doesn’t require any expansion of brewing capacity or restrictive distribution contracts.
expects to see rapid growth in online beer sales and possibly outperform wine sales by volume in the coming years.
what you need to know when ordering beer online
what are the laws in your state? not all states allow alcohol shipments to residents, so if you live in pa, tx, ma, ut, md, de, ar, ok, mt, me, sd, ky, ak, hi, wv or ms, then you cannot receive any type of alcohol.
There are companies that do not adhere to or are unaware of the laws from one state to another and may ship to residents of these states, which could lead to legal problems for them and possibly even the resident.
Even states that allow alcohol shipments to residents have certain legal restrictions and requirements that must be met.
Some states don’t allow anything with an alcohol content above a set percentage, and many others place a monthly or yearly limit on the amount of alcohol an individual or household can receive from out-of-state retailers.
Who can ship: There are only two legal ways to ship alcohol in the United States. A retailer must have a license to sell alcohol from a state that allows shipments in and out of that state and must have an alcohol shipping contract with UPS or FedEx.
the united states postal service does not allow shipments of alcohol. it is illegal for an unlicensed person to ship alcohol.
sign the order: when you buy alcohol online, the package must be sent with a label on each box that identifies that it contains alcohol and when ups or fedex show up with the packages, it will have to be a person over 21 years of age to sign receipt of the order.
if you think about it, this makes sense; Otherwise, minors could end up in possession of a product that they should not have. ups and fedex charge each retailer several dollars per box to collect this signature and if on the third try no one is available to sign for the package, it is sent back to the retailer.
Cost: Beer is heavy so it will be a bit expensive to ship, so be prepared to spend at least what the beer cost. A little trick is that the more you order, the less it will cost.
If you order a case (24 bottles) you can reduce the shipping cost as a percentage of each bottle.
So, with all these hurdles to overcome and the added expense, why should you even consider buying beer online? well, frankly, it’s the only way you’re going to be able to get that special bottle from that little brewery on the other side of the country.
So if you’re serious about beer and want to taste the best the world has to offer, it’s all just a few mouse clicks away.
If you’re one of those unlucky souls who lives in a state that currently doesn’t allow alcohol shipments to its residents, then you need to speak up. call your state representatives and tell them they should support consumer choice and allow you to buy the products you want.
We’re also working to get these states to open their doors to shipping, but we can’t do that without people in those states demanding it.
remember to watch my video on the best beer membership clubs that deliver beer to your door every month.