Can you mail alcohol

UPS has specific packaging requirements for mailing alcohol to retailers or consumers. They accept the following materials for inner packaging:. Alcoholic beverage containers must be situated in the center of the packaging. You can use any sufficiently dense and firm material to pad the space between the beverage s and the walls of the box.

Corrugated cardboard is required for the outer layer of your box. Shipping alcohol via FedEx is another great option, especially if long-distance or international customers purchase from you. There are two components to be aware of when learning how to ship alcohol FedEx: legal requirements and shipping recommendations.

Continue reading for details on both. FedEx requires alcohol companies to sign an Alcohol Shipping Agreement with the company before doing business. Not only does this help FedEx track which businesses are selling alcohol, it protects both parties from infractions. Those four ways are licensee-to-consumer internationally and domestically , or licensee-to-licensee internationally and domestically.

FedEx also requires all international alcohol shipments to be sent Express. That's right: don't even think about heading to your closest FedEx or a UPS with a bottle of wine or a specialty spirit unless you carry a proper license to manufacture, sell, distribute, or otherwise import alcohol. And if you do, you probably wouldn't be reading this article anyway.

FedEx's alcohol shipping policies can be read here , while UPS's alcohol regulations—much the same as FedEx's—can be found here though the latter is broadening its scope a bit. Some of those universal rules? You must advise the carrier your package contains alcohol. A surcharge will be applied to the shipment. And an adult must sign for it. However, there's more that you can do than brush up on these carriers' policies to get booze from Point A to Point B.

And no, we're not talking about sneaking it. Our experts are here to give you tips on getting alcohol from state-to-state and overseas. On the surface, this seems like the easiest shipping method. Without crossing state lines, after all, you won't have to worry about another state putting a stranglehold on your spirits.

But there are still local laws to contend with, warns Seth Weinberg , food law and policy professor at Columbia Law School. Consumers can also use one of the many alcohol e-commerce and delivery app companies such as Drizly or WineDirect to order alcohol directly to their home or to send beer, wine, or spirits to a friend.

When you cross state lines, the shipment of alcohol becomes more difficult. There is a loophole that helps consumers ship beer, liquor, and wine to other states — if that other state permits the shipment of alcohol to consumers. Do you own a brewery, distillery, or winery? Learn how to serve a food menu with 2ndKitchen. Importing and exporting alcohol across country borders presents even more challenges. We recommend not managing international alcohol shipping yourself — instead, work with reliable third-party retailers and compliance companies to ship beer, liquor, and wine orders.

Stay on top of the latest alcohol trends and regulations. UPS allows direct-to-consumer alcohol shipment, with a number of strict rules. Download our free liquor store business plan to start selling alcohol in a liquor store!

Each state has different laws for shipping alcohol in-state, between states, and internationally, as well as treating beer, spirits, and wine differently. Alcohol shipments to consumers is prohibited in the state of Alabama. Certain residents can apply for a special order request but must be fulfilled through the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board. Alaska has relaxed shipping laws for alcohol. You will need to become compliant for mailing alcohol to consumers in Alaska, as well as be aware of local and city laws.

Arizona has relaxed shipping laws for alcohol. In Arizona removed a rule limiting the number of bottles alcohol distributors could send to consumers, making the state even more alcohol-delivery friendly.

You will need to become compliant for mailing alcohol to consumers in Arizona, as well as be aware of local and city laws. Colorado has one of the ten largest markets for liquor, beer, and wine delivery and has relaxed laws for alcohol by mail.

You will need to become compliant for mailing alcohol to consumers in Colorado, as well as be aware of local and city laws. Alcohol distributors are able to ship their products in Connecticut if they are compliant. However, the cost of compliance and acquiring a license is one of the most expensive processes in the US. Delaware has very tight regulations on alcohol delivery.

Currently, breweries, distilleries, and wineries can ship to residents of Delaware prepackaged alcohol if it was purchased by a Delaware resident on-site at the business selling the alcohol. All online, phone, and subscription clubs sales are prohibited. Florida has one of the top five largest markets for alcohol delivery in the country and has relaxed laws for alcohol delivery fulfillment. You will need to become compliant for mailing alcohol to consumers in Florida, as well as be aware of local and city laws.

Georgia is one of the ten largest markets for alcohol delivery and has relaxed laws for alcohol by mail. You will need to become compliant for mailing alcohol to consumers in Georgia, as well as be aware of local and city laws. Hawaii has relaxed laws for alcohol delivery fulfillment, due in part to its remote location away from the US mainland. You will need to become compliant for mailing alcohol to consumers in Hawaii, as well as be aware of local and city laws.

Pack the box to the brim with the peanuts. Go nuts, and fill it all the way to the top. Next, choose ground as your shipping method. Yeast samples, antique milk bottles, anything really. That being said, it is important to know that there are consequences if you are caught and that shipping alcohol is at your own risk. Subsequent violations could lead to fines and or, gulp, jail time, so be mindful and be smart.

Of course, the kicker to this tutorial is that when I was in Chicago and shipping these beers I unknowingly told the clerk that I was shipping beer. He then proceeded to add extra bubble wrap and packing peanuts, ring me up, and ship the package.

Your mileage may vary, but it struck me that this was not a concern of the shipping company.