Introduction
With more microbrewers and wineries across the United States and the world, it has become easier to get alcohol shipped to your residence. But what if you’re the one shipping the alcohol? can you ship alcohol? If yes, how can you ship alcohol? hese are some questions that may be on your mind. Shipping alcohol can be complex if you’ve never done it before or just starting to test the waters. In this article, you will learn the right information you need to pack and ship wine, beer, and other spirits to your customers.
Types of Alcohol and their Shipping Regulations
Alcohol is a restricted beverage which means that there are mandatory shipping regulations in place to restrict and track the movement of alcohol within the US. Let’s look at the regulations for some of the common types of alcohol.
Wine
According to this article on Forbes, the United States is the 3rd top destination for wine lovers in the world. With online wine subscriptions and plenty of wine connoisseurs here, it is no doubt that this is one of the most shipped beverages in the US, let alone the fact that it is also easy to ship. That said, there are rules in place and some states have restrictions on shipping wine. Be sure to check the laws for the states involved before you ship.
Beer
Whether you’re watching the Super Bowl or connecting with your co-workers on Beer Bash Fridays, this malty beverage is another popular beverage that is shipped across the US. Like wine, beer has its own set of restrictions in certain states and may require special permits for shipping.
Spirits
Unlike wine and beer, spirits are heavily regulated as a result of the high level of alcohol content in them. Due to this, there are strict regulations and permits required to ship and even sell spirits in certain states. Make sure you check these laws before you ship them to another state or from your state.
Packaging and Labeling Requirements
The last thing you want is for your package to have a mishap in transit. What you can do to minimize the ill effects of transit is to pack your alcohol carefully and ensure that it is labeled accurately to prevent confiscation. Some of the requirements for packaging and labeling to be noted are –
Packaging
The entire idea of packaging alcohol is to prevent any damage to the bottles in transit. Packing companies have specialized packaging for shipping alcohol, such as corrugated wine cardboard boxes that have individual sections and are made for shipping wine. Likewise, there are cardboard boxes and other packaging materials made for shipping alcohol safely.
Labeling
If your package contains alcohol, you must declare it on the package with words that specify alcohol on it, such as “Alcohol – Adult Signature Required”, etc. The label should include the sender’s information, such as their name, address, what kind of alcohol, and how much they are shipping.
Legal Requirements
Some of the top requirements to be adhered to legally when shipping alcohol are –
Age
Verify that the receiver of the package is at least 21 years old with a valid government-issued ID.
Laws
Check the laws pertaining to the alcohol you plan to ship in the states involved in the shipment. Some states prohibit the shipping of alcohol, and others prevent the import of alcohol from other states. You can avoid confusion around shipping alcohol by checking these regulations surrounding the shipping of alcohol.
Tax
Alcohol may be subject to federal and state shipping taxes. Check out the federal or state taxes that may apply when shipping alcohol to certain states.
Conclusion
We understand the stress surrounding the shipment of alcohol, but with the right information, it can be done in a hassle-free and legal manner to your destination. With some due diligence on the alcohol laws of the state you’re shipping to, apt packaging, and labeling, you should be able to send your package of alcohol successfully!
