With so many guidelines and restrictions in place, it\u2019s easy to feel like you\u2019re on the rocks with shipping alcohol. That\u2019s why we’re here to shake things up! With our how-to guide, we\u2019ll uncork carrier restrictions and give you advice on securely packaging your alcohol. Now let\u2019s crack open the world of shipping alcohol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nLimitations of Shipping Alcohol <\/h2>\n\n\n
As with most specialty items<\/a>, there are certain limitations to shipping alcohol. For example, no alcohol<\/a> can be shipped through USPS<\/a>. As crazy as it sounds, this ban<\/a> dates back all the way to the Prohibition Era! While there have been attempts to change this ban<\/a>, the policy still has yet to be updated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ShippingEasy customers can\u2019t ship alcohol through their UPS One Balance <\/a>accounts, so a separate UPS account<\/a> will have to be connected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to shipping alcohol with UPS, there are specific guidelines and licensing requirements that need to be met, including creating a UPS account, signing a UPS Agreement for Approved Spirits Shippers<\/a>, and enabling Adult Signatures<\/a> confirmations for all alcoholic shipments. Let\u2019s break down the UPS requirements a little further. <\/p>\n\n\n UPS only supports certain types of alcohol shipping including, Licensed to Licensed, Direct to Customer, Interstate Distillery Shipments, and Intrastate Distillery Shipments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Beer<\/a> and wine<\/a> shipments have some additional types of alcohol shipping such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The next step in shipping alcohol is creating a UPS account if one doesn\u2019t already exist for your business. This account can be created through UPS\u2019s website<\/a> as seen below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information on creating this account, we recommend reaching out to UPS directly.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Before your business can officially start shipping alcohol with UPS, your business needs to sign agreements with UPS, depending on which type of alcohol you\u2019ll be shipping. To receive your UPS Agreement for Approved Spirit Shippers, UPS Agreement for Wine Shippers, or UPS Agreement for Approved Beer Shippers*, you\u2019ll schedule an appointment with UPS directly<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *For more information about these documents, check out our Recommend Bookmarks<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Along with your UPS Agreements, you need to submit any state alcohol licensing your business has received to upswinecompliance@ups.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like with other specialty items<\/a>, your package needs to be labeled as containing alcohol to avoid any risk of it not being shipped. In addition to specific alcohol labeling, shipping labels for packages containing alcohol have to be printed through a UPS Compatible Shipping system like WorldShip<\/a> or an authorized external shipping software system like ShippingEasy<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Any UPS shipments containing alcohol have to add the UPS Delivery Confirmation Adult Signature Required<\/a> option. This option requires the recipient to show their ID to the UPS delivery driver to avoid anyone under 21-year-old from being able to sign for these packages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n UPS also has a couple of options for shipment pickup called the UPS Hold for Pickup<\/a> or HFPU service and UPS Access Locations<\/a>. If your business is approved for these services, recipients can pick up their package from a UPS Customer Center<\/a> or UPS Access Location<\/a>. Recipients will still have to show ID at pick up for both of these services as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to UPS, FedEx has guidelines and requirements for shipping alcohol through their carrier services, including a FedEx account for your business, a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement, and enabling the adult signature confirmation<\/a> option for all alcohol shipments. <\/p>\n\n\n FedEx currently allows two types<\/a> of alcohol shipping, which are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n *The biggest thing to note is that wine is the only type of alcohol FedEx can transport licensee-to-customer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your business meets one of these requirements, it\u2019s time to set up your FedEx account! <\/p>\n\n\n To open your FedEx account, you\u2019ll start out by visiting FedEx\u2019s website<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once your FedEx account has been created, you\u2019ll reach out to your personal FedEx account executive to assist further with getting your account ready for shipping alcohol. If your business doesn\u2019t have a FedEx account executive, don\u2019t worry! You can contact FedEx directly<\/a> for next steps. <\/p>\n\n\n FedEx also requires alcohol shippers to fill out a contract with FedEx called a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement. These agreements are also found with your business\u2019s FedEx account executive or through FedEx support<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n After creating your FedEx account and speaking with FedEx about the documentation needed to ship alcohol, it\u2019s time to start printing your labels! Labels can only be created through a FedEx-based system like FedEx Ship Manager\u00ae<\/a> or an authorized shipping software like ShippingEasy<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n FedEx requires an adult signature confirmation<\/a> option for all shipments containing alcohol. This option does come with an additional fee<\/a>, and like UPS, it does require the recipient to show their ID when the package is delivered. If your customer and\/or recipient isn\u2019t available during the delivery window FedEx or would rather pick up their shipment, FedEx has the FedEx Hold at Location<\/a> where the package can be picked up. ID will still be required for pickups as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n FedEx also has an option for delivery interception where a package can be sent to a different address for your recipient if the new address is located in the same state, as long as the package is deemed eligible. For more information on this service, you can reach out to FedEx directly at 1.800.463.3339<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each state has its own set of alcohol shipping restrictions for both shipping alcohol in and out of the state. The National Conference of State Legislatures or NCSL has created a list of all 50 states and their specific guidelines, restrictions, and licensing requirement that can be found on their website<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information regarding your state\u2019s laws around shipping alcohol, the NCSL recommends reaching out to an agency<\/a> that specializes in alcohol regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UPS and FedEx do have some supplies they prefer over others when shipping alcohol, but they do also provide several different options that will be accepted by the carriers. Both carriers recommend using the following supplies when packing your shipments: <\/p>\n\n\n\n While UPS only mentions that shipments must have a \u201csturdy outer corrugated container<\/a>,\u201d FedEx is more specific in what shipping materials can be used. FedEx won\u2019t accept shipments where bottles are only separated by paper materials, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or corrugated dividers<\/a> in the box. A full list of FedEx\u2019s accepted shipping materials can be found on their website<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n While UPS and FedEx<\/a> have their own guidelines for materials needed for shipping alcohol\/other glass bottle beverages, there are some best practices for shipping fragile and\/or specialty items. Here are a few tips<\/a> to avoid any damages: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Shipping alcohol can definitely stir up stress. We\u2019re here to take your shipping fears and turn them into cheers! Knowing carrier and state restrictions, as well as the best shipping prep for your alcohol, will take away any bitter feelings you may have about shipping alcohol. Straight up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alcohol and Tobacco Trade Bureau<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n FedEx Consultation<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n How to ship alcohol: Regulations and requirements<\/a> for FedEx <\/p>\n\n\n\n How To Ship Beer<\/a> with UPS <\/p>\n\n\n\n How To Ship Wine<\/a> with UPS <\/p>\n\n\n\n How To Ship Spirits<\/a> with UPS <\/p>\n\n\n\n National Conference of State Legislatures<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n UPS Customer Support<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hungry for more? Check out How to Ship Food with USPS<\/a>!<\/h6>\n\n\n
Shipping Alcohol with UPS<\/h2>\n\n\n
Requirements for shipping alcohol <\/h3>\n\n\n
Creating a UPS account <\/h3>\n\n\n
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Required documentation <\/h3>\n\n\n
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Label requirements <\/h3>\n\n\n
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Ready to make ShippingEasy? Start your 30-day free trial today<\/a>!<\/h6>\n\n\n
Delivery requirements <\/h3>\n\n\n
Shipping Alcohol with FedEx<\/h2>\n\n\n
Requirements for shipping alcohol <\/h3>\n\n\n
Creating a FedEx account <\/h3>\n\n\n
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Required documentation <\/h3>\n\n\n
Label requirements <\/h3>\n\n\n
Delivery requirements <\/h3>\n\n\n
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State Restrictions <\/h2>\n\n\n
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Looking to grow your knowledge on certain restrictions for specialty items? Read our How to Ship Plants blog<\/a>!<\/h6>\n\n\n
Glass bottle packing guidelines <\/h2>\n\n\n
Tips for packing glass bottles <\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n Ready to pack it in? Turn your shipping woes into shipping knows with our How to Ship a Package blog<\/a>!<\/h6>\n\n\n
Conclusion <\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n Drink up more information with our blog, Shipping Liquids: Rules to Know for USPS, UPS, and FedEx<\/a>!<\/h6>\n\n\n
Recommended Bookmarks<\/h2>\n\n\n
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