Shipping bourbon...UPS or FedEx?

[Ejmharris]

Fed Ex is the way to go. I still don't know what is illegal about mailing booze -- places like Party Source ship via FedEx, and my most recent shipment actually had a big yellow sticker boldly proclaiming "CONTAINS ALCOHOL" to anyone who can read -- but both on the shipping and receiving end, I have had nothing but good experience shipping by Fed Ex. And surprisingly, ground shipping for short distances is often faster than their more expensive options and they've been happy to tell me so.

TPS is able to ship alcohol because they are licensed to ship to certain states. I believe they need to go through a process of getting licensed by each state which is why they don't ship to all 50. The legality issue is one of safety, liquor is flammable. And it is controlled by a lot of states so they all want to have their say.

Both UPS and FedEx officially won't transport alcohol if you claim it as such and you are not licensed. If you want to ship it needs to be claimed as something different. Many clerks will turn a blind eye to it. Their was someone that mentioned claim it as artisanal olive oil which is fine to get it shipped, but they also mentioned it will help insure it. Insuring it is a waste, if it breaks and it is alcohol and not olive oil they will not cover the claim, trust me on this one! Technically they could also come after you for Illegal interstate transport of alcohol as well. Pretty sure that is very low on their priority list though.

After saying all that, "from what I have heard" if you want to ship more than one bottle you will need to mask the "glug" sound. That can be done with foam, bubble wrap and putting something in a disposable Tupperware container (I know of someone who got dog food). Then tell the clerk it is organic dog food for some high maintenance pet owner. Make sure the goods are packaged well so breakage isn't a problem. It is not possible to over pack.

[StraightBoston]

I've heard that a few dry beans in the box mask the "glug" and could be credibly explained as pieces of a puzzle for a child of the recipient...

[Young Blacksmith]

Bagging the contents also help deter leakage. My business regularly uses heavy bags and vermiculite to absorb any spilled liquids. I don't go so far for personal shipments, such as collectable cologne bottles, but I do bag all items in at least trash bags.

Alcohol is a flammable liquid, which could get you in trouble with hazardous shipments not being declared as such.

[tommyj1986]

I recently looked up hazmat rules for fedex, and what I gathered was for American DOT hazmat is that as long an alcohol is below 150 proof and in smaller than 5 liter container no speciality hazmat had to be declared.

As far as why it is illegal for personal people to ship is because of licensing and taxes, if I buy whiskey in my state that isn't registered for sale in another state, that state isn't receiving it's licensing fee or excise tax from the sale. Each state has different laws regulating whether or not certain types of businesses can ship into the state, some of these laws are setup to protect the local producers, but more often the laws are setup to protect the distributors. Distributors are the ones with all the lobbying power.

[trumpstylz]

I've shipped with both carriers, and it really just varies location to location.

One difference I have noticed- some UPS stores ask me what I am shipping. Fedex has not done this.

However, It really depends what service you are using. UPS has built themselves up on their ground shipping and fedex their air service (next day and 2 day). It honestly doesn't make much difference.

[p_elliott]

• Artisan olive oil
• Vintage lava lamps
• Artisan vinegar
• Hand pressed apple cider

If you put the words "artisan" or "vintage" in there, it helps justify a higher insured value, too.


/the first two suggestions aren't original with me, they came from another member here.

Insurance is no good if it breaks they will know it's bourbon and they ain't going to pay nothing.

[p_elliott]

Just remember, shipping spirits/alcohol without a licenses is illegal. That being said, ( ) if it was up to me, I'd use UPS from a place I know wouldn't ask any questions. Put labels on boxes designating something other than spirits/alcohol. I'd also use labels designating "Fragile Glass", and labels with arrows designating "This Side Up." I just happened to find a site you can print those very labels from. http://www.samplewords.com/ Might have to search a bit.

FWIW, I work for a company where I'm sometimes required to ship packages out. I'm not bragging, (really I am) but I know how to pack things in order to minimize damage. I'd use extra cardboard or double wall boxes, cardboard separators, styrofoam, styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap, foam pieces/foam wrap, etc... what ever you have, and what ever you think it takes. I's better to be safe than sorry. Also, U-Haul has styrofoam wine bottle shipping containers that might be of use to you. Like Brisko said, some of these ideas are from other sources.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Trust me short of them running it over with a forklift something packed by Joe is not going to break.

[T Comp]

Hey I'll deliver to Bardstown Kentucky twice a year... even free of charge in spite of the $4 plus a gallon gas and exorbitant Illinois tolls .

[smokinjoe]

Hey I'll deliver to Bardstown Kentucky twice a year... even free of charge in spite of the $4 plus a gallon gas and exorbitant Illinois tolls .

Yep, we're all part of a network of mules.

[Shuboy]

Ralfy mentioned in his miniatures video about labeling your minis as printer ink (though I've never seen people sell printer ink in mini glass bottles before). Considering Master of Malt has been offering a lot of their whiskies in sample bottles, asking them to label your package as printer ink might be helpful in getting through customs.