Shipping Overseas?

[shirteesdotnet]

Is there any probs involved with shipping a bottle of beer across the country via post office? What about overseas? Ive got a friend in Moscow who is a hard core beer drinker and he loved the Gordon Biersch I brought him my last trip in September. Beer is fast replacing vodka there as far as I can tell. In fact, I see 15 year olds drinking beer all around, even on the metro.

Id also like to send a bottle or two to one of my brothers living in Japan. Hes been there 10 years now, and I dont think he'll be coming back here any time soon.

Well, I just looking into USPS website and they dont list beer as a prohibited or restricted item. In fact, neither does Russia. Hmmm. time to start shipping some beer!!!

Anyone have experiences from shipping beer? :) Dave

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by shirteesdotnet
Well, I just looking into USPS website and they dont list beer as a prohibited or restricted item. In fact, neither does Russia. Hmmm. time to start shipping some beer!!!

Anyone have experiences from shipping beer? :) Dave

Look harder. Check this thread for info:

http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8419&highlight=FedEx

That said, trading/shipping beer goes on a lot. It's a don't ask/don't tell policy. But I'd go with FedEx, UPS or DHL. Do Not use the USPS. Best of luck.

Cheers!

[Kyle_Draven]

I agree with newportstorm use somebody that will give you a tracking number for your package. The only thing that I would worry about would be the rules on customs. I worked at a place that sent stuff overseas and the amount of paper work needed to just tell customs what it was is overwhelming. That was on higher dollar equipment so I don't think that you would have that problem though.

[newportstorm]

I've heard from several people about losing beer between US & Canada. Also, several people who have ordered beer from belgianshop.com have had their package sent back to Belgium by US Customs. Again, beer trading/shipping is done a lot, but there is always risk. Pack well, choose your shipper (all have online estimate tools), send and have faith.

Cheers!

[corkybstewart]

I know this sounds un-real, but for Christmas a few years ago my inlaws in France sent us chocolates filled with various French liquors and spirits. Customs confiscated the box of chocolates and sent us a letter threatening pretty stiff penalties if we ever tried to import liquor without a license again. That put an end to European chocolates for Christmas.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by corkybstewart
I know this sounds un-real, but for Christmas a few years ago my inlaws in France sent us chocolates filled with various French liquors and spirits. Customs confiscated the box of chocolates and sent us a letter threatening pretty stiff penalties if we ever tried to import liquor without a license again. That put an end to European chocolates for Christmas.

Completely asinine! Customs has never batted an eye when I return from a trip outside the US with booze. The only problem I see with mail order is proof of age, which most (all?) take care of before shipping.

Cheers!

[corkybstewart]

We go to France every other year, and the last 5 or 6 years we've been able to go to our favorite winemaker and have him fill 5 or 10 liter "boxes" of good wine. We brought 25 liters back last year, and when my wife went back in September she brought me 20 liters in one suitcase. As long as we declare how much we have, customs has never said a word. It's probably a lot of paperwork to collect the duty on the excess wine and they have more important things to do.

[Arassuil]

From my experience, there is a difference between sending beer back & packing beer back from outside the U.S. or Australia. Australia allows a passenger to carry up to 2250ml (76oz.) of alcoholic beverages in their checked baggage as long as you declare it, and the U.S allows 1Litre (33.8oz.) as long as you declare it.

Shipping beer to Australia is allowed as a gift for less than 1 litre (33.8oz.). I think the catch-22 is not being able to tell the shipper in the states there is beer in the box unless its ok for shipment outside the states) and having to declare the beer for customs. As for me sending a beer to the United States, it looks like its considered an import and a license is needed.

[chazwicke]

I've personally brought back plenty of beer on European trips with no hassels. Mailing might be different though. I've shipped beer in the States many times with no problem either but overseas I'm not so sure. I have purchased antique beers via Ebay auctions from a guy in Britian over the years. It's never been a problem for him to ship to me.

[Arassuil]

I'm just wondering how U.S. Customs would handle it if I sent my brother a couple beers. I have an email sent to the Australian DHL customer service so hope to hear back from them soon as I'm sure they get a lot of these sort of requests. I sent my bro the details for his shipping me a couple winter microbrews as it is no problem on this end. :)