Bourbon Fans Can Finally Ship Bottles Home From Kentucky
The newly implemented law allows shipments to seven states.
Traveling for a bit of booze tastingwhether to breweries, wineries or distilleriesalways makes for a great vacation that is, until you face the inevitable question: How do I get all this amazing stuff Ive tried home? You can always pack bottles in your luggage, but airport security and baggage fees have made traveling with liquids more difficult. And lets be honest: Regardless, sometimes you simply want to bring back more booze than you can sensibly carry. For these situations, lots of brands offer their own shipping services, allowing customers to conveniently meet their bottles back at their doorstep. But for years, this solution wasnt available to whisky tourists in Kentuckyuntil last week, that is.
This past Friday, the worlds bourbon capital, was finally able to toast a new law in the state allowing distilleries to ship bottles home to consumers. Governor Matt Bevin, who officially signed the law in April, and other state officials were reportedly on hand to preside over the ceremonial first shipments of commemorative bourbon bottles.
There Are A Few Zip Code Restrictions
Local laws prevent us from shipping to certain zip codes that are considered “dry zip codes” in Alaska, Florida, Idaho and New Hampshire. We do ship to most of the zip codes in these states, but our system will tell you if the zip code you enter is one that is excluded by law at the time the order is placed, after the shipping address and zip code is entered.
Shipping Beer Liquor And Wine With Fedex
allowsFedEx Delivery Resources
FedEx alcohol shipment rules include:
- You have a FedEx account number
- You have signed an alcohol shipping agreement contact with FedEx through your account manager
- You must use inner packaging of EPS foam or molded fiber tray
- You must package the alcohol in the center of the shipment, away from the packages sides
- Your package must be deemed sturdy by FedEx
- You must clearly label the shipment and meet FedEx guidelines
- You must clearly label the package as containing alcohol
- You must receive a signature upon delivery from an adult that is 21 or older
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Is It Legal To Mail Alcohol
There isnt a universal answer to this question, as it depends on the laws and regulations in each state, city, and county that both the seller and buyer are located in.
Why is that? When Prohibition ended with the 21st Amendment, it gave states the power to regulate and set their own laws on the sale of alcoholic beverages in their states.
There are some universal rules for shipping alcohol that include:
- Alerting the carrier that a shipment contains alcohol
- Paying a special alcohol package fee
- An adult that is 21 or older must sign for the package
Who Can Ship Your Alcohol
The easiest way to get your alcohol shipped is to use UPS Freight or FedEx Freight. However, these two organizations will only ship to parties who have licenses to receive alcohol. So, you can forget about shipping alcohol directly to consumers with these two carriers.
However, if you are in compliance with interstate liquor laws, then you should be able to ship alcohol safely with these two companies to licensed receiving parties.
Get the Best Freight Quote at FreightRun!
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Why Must I Select A State Before Shopping
We ship from multiple warehouses due to state laws, so PRICES AND SELECTION MAY VARY depending on which state you ship to PLEASE start shopping on Wine.com by first using the state drop-down menu to select the state where you want your items delivered. Once you choose your desired delivery state, our site will adjust the selection we offer to ensure you are only shown items that we can legally ship to that state. CHANGING STATES FROM YOUR CART MAY CHANGE YOUR ORDER! To avoid this unfortunate experience, it is best practice to empty your cart and select your state before you shop!
The Authorization Process For Us And International Shipments
1. Have a valid FedEx account number.
You must have a FedEx account number. If you donât have one, please go to the Create an account page on fedex.com.
2. Contact your FedEx account executive.
Contact your FedEx account executive to assist you with the authorization process. If you donât have an assigned account executive, call FedEx Customer Service at 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339 and request that an account executive call you.
3. Sign the alcohol shipping agreement.
For all alcohol shipments, youâll need to sign a FedEx Alcohol Shipping agreement. Contact your FedEx account executive for details and assistance and if you don’t have an assigned account executive, call FedEx Customer Services at 1.800.463.3339.
4. Review and comply with the following shipping requirements:
- Use of an electronic shipping solution. For U.S. alcohol shipments, you must create your shipping label using an up-to-date FedEx Ship Manager® electronic shipping solution or a FedEx-approved third-party system. Airbills are not permitted. You must identify all alcohol shipments by selecting the alcohol checkbox on your shipping software. For international alcohol shipments, you may use the FedEx International Air Waybill®, but use of a FedEx Ship Manager solution is encouraged.
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What If I’m Not Home When My Shipping Order Arrives
Upon delivery, our delivery partners will ask to see the receivers ID to ensure they are 21 or older. The receiver will also be required to sign for the order. If you are unable to be home, we will make two additional attempts to deliver your order, and then it will be held at the shippers distribution center.
Can I Ship Wine To Kentucky
Can I Ship Wine To Kentucky. And even if you are licensed, it can be tough. can i ship my alcohol?
Kentucky’s wine industry made a comeback in 1976 when a new state law allowed local farms to grow wine grapes once again. Koenig said it’s about bringing parity to the state. A federal lawsuit challenging kentucky’s ban on wine shipments was filed in july, a month after the supreme court ruling. Angel’s envy rye whiskey finished in caribbean rum casks finished rye 100 750 ml. Postal service, ups and fedex all will not ship alcohol unless you are a licensed distributor.
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We Are Having Extreme Weather Conditions Will My Delivery Be Safe
Total Wine & More may hold a wine shipment during extremely hot weather to protect the quality of items purchased. These occurrences are most likely during summer months in southwestern states. When we temporarily hold your shipment, well notify you by email. Well also post a message on TotalWine.com so shoppers know new orders may be delayed.
Fedex Alcohol Shipping Best Practices
Similarly to UPS, FedEx makes specific packaging requests of businesses shipping alcohol. Hereâs what to keep in mind:
- Use polystyrene on the inside and cardboard on the outside. FedEx asks that spirits be shipped with these materials to be transported and delivered safely. It also mitigates temperature fluctuations, minimizes package shifting, and prevents spillage.
- Avoid packing peanuts, packing paper, and cardboard partitions. Alcoholic beverages need specific kinds of packaging to prevent box damage. Cardboard partitions and packing peanuts donât keep beverage containers firmly situated enough, and packing paper can easily become unfurled.
- Use directional arrows wisely. Directional arrow stickers are often added to fragile or directionally sensitive packages, but they canât always be honored by shipping carriers and 3PL companies. Instead, itâs best to put your shipping label on the top of the box, so truck drivers know which way is up if theyâre unable to find other stickers.
- Reinforce your package with tape. Since a damaged beverage box can get messy fast, it never hurts to have extra layers of tape. After your box is sealed, put another layer on the bottom and top flaps, and double-check that the tape holds well.
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Shipping Beer Liquor And Wine With Ups
UPS allows direct-to-consumer alcohol shipment, with a number of strict rules. You can find all the UPS rules and regulations on the UPS Wine & Alcoholic Beverage Program page.
UPS alcohol shipment rules include:
- You have a UPS account number
- You have signed an alcohol shipping agreement contact with UPS
- You have a federal license to ship alcohol
- You have the correct permits to ship alcohol in the states your sending to
- You must follow the guidelines set in both the sending and receivers state
- You must use inner packaging of EPS foam or molded fiber tray
- You must package the alcohol in the center of the shipment, away from the packages sides
- Your package must be deemed sturdy by UPS
- You must clearly label the shipment and meet UPS, origin state, and destination state guidelines
- You must clearly label the package as containing alcohol
- You must receive a signature upon delivery from an adult that is 21 or older
How To Ship Alcohol Internationally
Importing and exporting alcohol across country borders presents even more challenges. Youll now need to meet state, city, and country laws, as well as be familiar with exporting and importing laws.
Youll need to ensure that the distributor sending the shipment has the correct permits or the US government can seize your shipment. Youll also need to be aware of taxes and duties for international beer, spirit, and wine imports.
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
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Can You Ship Alcohol Via Usps
No, you canât ship alcohol via USPS. Itâs their official policy not to ship any alcoholic beverages, both domestically and internationally.
The only kinds of products you can ship via USPS with alcohol in them are cooking wine, common cold remedies, and mouthwash. The alcoholic content of these products is innocuous, isnât a substitute for real alcoholic drinks, and is unlikely to be abused by minors.
How To Ship Wine: General Overview
First of all, the most important thing to keep in mind is that its illegal for one individual to ship any amount of wine to another person through the mail in the United States, regardless of where you live or whether you try the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, or FedEx.
That doesnt mean you cant send wine to someone but you cant just stuff it in a box and slap a few stamps on it. Unless youre willing to take a big risk and break the law, to ship wine you need to buy it from a company whos certified to deliver it. The good news is, plenty of companies are licensed to ship wine to most states.
Depending on the quantity youre sending and where its going, there could be additional hurdles to overcome. For instance, if you want to send wine to a friend in Oklahoma, youre out of luck: The Sooner State doesnt allow it, and you might be looking at a felony if you get caught trying.
While the law is mostly the same in Delaware, theres one important loophole: If youre a resident of Delaware and youre visiting a winery in a different state, you can send yourself back a few bottles.
The strictest laws, by far, are found in Utah, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, and Delaware. Pay particularly close attention to the rules if youre sending wine to those states. An updated master list of all the state law nuances can be found by searching the alcohol statutes over at The National Conference of State Legislatures website.
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Kentuckys New Dtc Shipping Rules Become Law
Kentuckys new law to allow for the direct-to-consumer shipping of wine, beer and spirits by producers became law on April 7, 2020. The effective date of the law is yet to be determined, as it will be 90 days from the date the legislature officially adjourns, which is expected to happen sometime next week. While we wait for the Act to take effect, we will work with the KY ABC and revenue agencies as they begin to put together the regulations, applications and coordinate the procedures for tax payments and reporting.
When the law becomes effective and producers have secured the required $100 annual permits, they will be able to ship in the following manner:
We will provide further information as the rules are promulgated and information and applications become available.
Who Can Ship Alcohol And To Whom
Overview
Only FedEx-approved, licensed alcohol shippers that have entered into a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement may ship alcohol via FedEx services. Consumers may not ship alcohol of any type via FedEx services.
Licensee-to-licensee in the U.S.
The shipper must be a FedEx-approved alcohol shipper, the recipient must be a business entity that holds appropriate alcohol licenses, and the shipment must otherwise comply with applicable laws. Shipments can move via FedEx Express®, FedEx Ground®, or FedEx Home Delivery® services.
Licensee-to-consumer in the U.S.
FedEx only transports wine licensee-to-consumer. Direct-to-consumer wine shipments are limited to the destination states outlined in the Direct-to-Consumer Reference Guide and must otherwise comply with applicable law.
Licensee or consumer designation in FedEx automation*
Shippers are required to use updated versions of FedEx automation for shipments containing alcohol. In doing so, FedEx requires shippers to designate whether an alcohol shipment is intended for a “Licensee” or a “Consumer”.
Shippers should select the “Consumer” designation for wine shipped directly to an individual consumer for personal consumption regardless of whether the shipment is destined for a residential or commercial address. All shipments designated as “Consumer” shipments must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Licensee-to-licensee internationally
Both the importer and exporter must be licensed entities.
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How To Ship Alcohol Overseas
You’ve fallen in love with a Bordeaux produced at a small French vineyard, and you can’t imagine life without this fruity concoction. Unluckily for you, however, “once you’re changing countries, gets exponentially more difficult,” says Weinberg. First, Weinberg advises, you will have to “make sure the product can be legally shipped into the destination without a permit.” You can check this guide to see your state’s individual regulations. If you don’t, your “product could be seized, quarantined, or destroyed,” warns Weinberg. And no one wants that, do they? Shipping out of the U.S. into another country will require you to brush up on state and federal export rules and the import rules of whichever country you’re sending it to . Good luck. Once again, it’s probably best to go through a retailer or distributor.
Weinberg also recommends that you confirm with the retailer or distributor if any taxes or duties need to be paid on the product you intend to ship. If so, they should be able to advise you on how to pay them, and how much they will cost you. Lastly, “purchase from a reputable dealer who knows the ins and outs of laws, and ideally has experience shipping to your destination of choice,” Weinberg advises.
In short, as much as you might like to personally pick up, wrap and send a bottle of booze as a gift, this is one task better left to professionals.
What Is The Kentucky Derby Wine
The official Kentucky Derby wine is a unique white blend.
The wine made for the Kentucky Derby has been produced by Equus Run Vineyards for the past 8 years and consists of a unique blend of Chardonnay and Riesling. The wine is known to be light and fresh, with a touch of sweetness from the Riesling. The wine has vibrant flavors of granny smith apples, pear and soft citrus.
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Where Can I Ship
We ship wine in the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, ID, MA, MN, MO, NC, ND, NJ, NM, OR, VA, WA.
We ship non-alcoholic accessories to all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Our product availabilty varies by states due to differing regulations. At this time, we are not able to ship internationally. We do not ship to APOs, FPOs or PO Boxes.
What Types Of Wine Is Produced In Kentucky
Kentucky produces several types of wine from 20 grape varieties.
Although Kentucky does have a great variant between the summer heat and winter cold, the state is successfully growing over 20 different varieties. These include several hybrid varieties, including Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc and Seyval Blanc. More traditional varieties are also grown here, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
With such a variety of grapes varieties, the wineries of Kentucky are able to produce a large range of wines. Today, there are over 70 wineries each allowing their unique take on the states varieties.
Several of these wineries form part of the states important wine trails and wine festivals. Some of these wineries include:
- Old 502 Winery which produces the popular Kentucky Wine Lady wine.
The most popular wine festivals that these wineries partake in include the Wine and Vine Fest Weekend. The northern Kentucky wine festival, The Cincinnati International Wine Festival, is a non-profit which includes about 15 wineries, live entertainment and artisanal food. The festival takes place annually and is a favorite among the locals.
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Ky Lawmakers Advance Bill Allowing Wine To Be Shipped To Your House
Out-of-state wineries would be able to ship directly to Kentucky drinkers under a bill making its way through the state legislature.
Kentucky is one of only five states that doesnt allow direct winery-to-customer shipments, according to Free The Grapes, an industry group that monitors the issue.
But under a bill that passed out of a committee in the state Senate on Tuesday, out-of-state wineries that get a Kentucky license would be able to ship up to two dozen 9-liter cases to Kentucky customers each year.
Sen. John Schickel, a Republican from Union, says that every year he has constituents who push him to get the bill passed.
I specifically get the request from people who are vacationing out of state and for whatever reason they go to buy wine, Schickel said.
To them its just a simple transaction they want to make. They look to us and say what, you cant get this done? Come on.
Supporters of the bill say it would allow Kentuckians to participate in wine of the month programs or to ship wine home while on a vacation. The measure passed out of the Senate Licensing and Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee on Tuesday.
Similar measures have been proposed in recent legislative sessions, but have failed amid pushback from local distributors and alcohol industry groups.
We believe if the product is not in distribution in Kentucky, you could be able to get that product shipped, George said.
