How to Ship Bourbon? International Deliveries

How to pack and ship a bottle of bourbon

Are you a licensed company looking for the best way to ship bourbon in Europe or internationally? Or are you an individual looking to send a bottle of bourbon as a gift to your friends and family? Check packaging tips and explore the regulations for business and individuals shipping bourbon globally. Get informed about how to ship a bottle of bourbon safely and find answers to other questions regarding mailing bourbon domestically and abroad.

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How to ship bourbon internationally

Depending on the size and time-sensitivity of your shipment, you can choose between different shipping options to match your needs:

Standard shipping

The most cost-effective way to ship packages by courier
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Pallet delivery

Send bigger loads from distributors to retailers
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Van delivery

Move your loads within the EU with a dedicated van
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*Please have in mind that some courier companies may include bourbon in the list of prohibited items. For any clarifications, please contact our team of specialists via chat.

FOR BUSINESSES

How to pack bottles of bourbon when shipping on pallets

For businesses importing or exporting bourbon or sending bottles of bourbon to distributors or retailers with the pallet service, we suggest following the packaging steps below:

  1. Place some liner paper on the pallet and place the boxes containing the bourbon bottles on it.
  2. Add liner paper between the layers to decrease friction and spread the weight evenly.
  3. Fix the shipment to the pallet with straps and secure it with stretch foil or bubble wrap.

FOR INDIVIDUALS

Packaging tips for sending a bottle of bourbon as a gift

Sending bourbon as a gift may seem a little tricky. However, proper packaging when sending a few bottles of bourbon among other belongings in an ordinary package assures a safe delivery and is neither impossible nor uncommon.

  1. Wrap the bourbon bottles individually with bubble wrap. Place each bottle in a Zip-log plastic bag to protect your package in case of spillage.
  2. Place the bottles in a cardboard box. Fill the empty space with cushioning material.
  3. Close and seal the shipping box. You can also add a sign “Fragile” or “Handle with care” on the top of your bourbon shipping box.

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Regulations on shipping bourbon in Europe and globally

Regulations for businesses shipping bourbon in Europe and abroad

As a rule, shipping bourbon as freight is perfectly legal for licensed companies and even covered by the CMR insurance. To send bottles of bourbon internationally, companies should agree on terms with authorised carriers only.

Regulations for individuals shipping bourbon in Europe and abroad

Receiving alcoholic drinks, including bourbon, by mail or courier from online stores, is perfectly legal for individuals. However, if you want to send a bottle of bourbon as a gift, consider that most courier companies include alcoholic drinks on the list of restricted items to ship. Still, many people mail bourbon as a gift or souvenir daily. We highly recommend packaging the bottles of bourbon properly to ensure maximum safety during transit. Keep in mind that insurance is not valid for this case, and any damage caused by the shipment is the sole responsibility of the shipper.


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MORE INFORMATION

FAQs on how to ship bourbon in Europe and internationally

Can I ship bourbon with every courier company?

It is important to note that not all courier companies will ship bourbon internationally. For example, DHL, TNT and UPS will not ship packages containing bourbon within the content. Each courier has specific rules and requirements for different shipments, so we recommend checking this further with the designated courier for your route. Alternatively, you can reach us by chat, phone or email before shipping to discuss your options further.

Do people still send bourbon in the mail?

Even though shipping bourbon and other alcohol between individuals is restricted by most of the courier companies in many countries, many people still decide to send one or two bottles of bourbon as a gift. Shippers send bourbon in a package or together with other clothes and other belonging. If you decide to mail bourbon, please keep in mind that you do it on your responsibility and no reimbursement is guaranteed if the parcel is damaged.

How do courier companies discover bourbon in the shipments? Do they check each package?
Packages that are sent within the EU or domestically are usually not checked during pickup. However, some parcels can be randomly scanned or reviewed by couriers at their hubs. If you are sending bourbon outside of the European Union, the courier driver will check the content of shipments. Customs authorities can also check parcels when shipping between countries which are not belonging to a free-trade zone.
What happens if the courier company discovers a bottle of bourbon in my parcel?
During the pickup, if the driver notices that you are sending bourbon or any other restricted or forbidden item, they will most probably refuse to collect the shipment. If a bottle of bourbon is found inside your package during scanning at the logistics provider’s hub or during customs procedures, there are different possible scenarios. In some cases, the item is removed, but the remaining goods are delivered regularly. Otherwise, the shipment may be returned or even destroyed.

Take into consideration these guidelines when shipping bourbon in Europe or overseas. Nevertheless, please consider that following them does not guarantee that the courier company will transport your package without restrictions. In case you decide to send a bottle of bourbon or any other alcohol, Eurosender will not be held responsible for any damages caused by the transport of your shipment.