Can you mail alcohol via FedEx? (all you must know)
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Whether it’s champagne for New Year’s Eve, imported whisky for a birthday, or a six-pack to say hello, booze makes a great gift for any occasion.
However, there is always the issue of shipping it to a loved one. This article will share what you need to know about shipping alcohol through FedEx. So, if you have something good to put in the mail, read this guide first!
Can you mail alcohol through FedEx in 2022?
As of 2022, individuals may not ship alcohol of any kind through the FedEx network. To ship alcohol to friends or family, individuals must purchase directly from a FedEx Authorized Alcohol Shipper. To become an alcohol shipper, a company must have a FedEx account, sign an agreement, and comply with labeling and delivery requirements.
To learn more about FedEx’s alcohol shipping policy, keep reading this article!
Can individuals ship alcohol via FedEx?
Individuals may not ship alcohol, including all types of alcohol, such as wine, beer, liquor or champagne, through the FedEx network.
So, to give wine as a gift to a friend or family member, it’s best to buy it from a licensed retailer or winery and have them mail it to your loved ones.
Why can’t individuals ship alcohol via FedEx?
Since the 21st Amendment ended the ban, individuals have been unable to ship alcohol by mail.
That said, the amendment allows people to drink alcohol again, but also provides state-by-state guidance. Additionally, one of the requirements is that the average consumer cannot mail alcohol.
Additionally, the law applies to private shipping companies such as FedEx and UPS, but also applies to shipments sent via the United States Postal Service (USPS).
What happens if you ship alcohol via FedEx?
If you choose to disregard FedEx’s alcohol shipping policy rules, you do so at your own risk.
Typically, you will receive a written warning after the initial violation. However, subsequent violations can result in fines or even jail time, so take that into consideration when considering breaking the rules.
Can businesses ship alcohol via FedEx?
Businesses with appropriate alcohol licenses participating in the FedEx Alcohol Shipping Program can ship to customers in select states or countries.
To review state-specific rules, check out FedEx’s State Reference Guide for Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping.
Additionally, to participate in FedEx’s alcohol shipping program, businesses must create a FedEx account, sign an alcohol shipping agreement, and comply with shipping requirements.
What services can you use to mail alcohol through FedEx?
Authorized liquor shippers can ship liquor using FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, or FedEx Home Delivery.
However, FedEx Freight service can only be used if both the shipper and recipient are licensed wholesalers, dealers, distributors, manufacturers or importers.
How should alcohol be packaged when mailing with FedEx?
There are a few things businesses can do to ensure their bottles are undamaged after shipping, including:
- Avoid shipping alcohol in extreme temperatures: use a heat shield or a temperature-controlled shipping process.
- Use the correct packaging material and method: FedEx recommends using polystyrene inner packaging with a corrugated outer container when shipping bottles. Molded pulp or die-cut corrugated packaging also works well.
- Reinforce the bottom of the box with additional tape: Use a corrugated pad on the bottom of the box for added stability.
- Put the shipping label on the top of the box: Putting the label on the top of the box increases the chances that the package will stay in the correct orientation.
Also, when it comes to bubble wrap, make sure to only use it when:
- The sides, top and bottom of the bottle are at least two inches thick
- it is firmly attached to the bottle
- It comes with additional void filling when needed
In addition to these “to-dos,” FedEx is telling shippers to avoid packages with:
- Allow bottle contact (e.g. single corrugated clapboard)
- Settled (eg, packing peanuts)
- Compression (eg, tissue paper)
To learn more, you can also read our posts on whether FedEx prints labels, whether FedEx labels expire, and whether FedEx delivers overnight.
in conclusion
While FedEx does not allow individuals to ship alcohol to each other, many alcohol businesses are well-positioned to ship alcohol where they need to go.
So if you want to give a booze gift, have someone else handle the shipping for you.
Additionally, if you are part of a company looking to ship alcohol through FedEx, make sure you become an authorized shipper, sign an agreement, and follow proper packaging and labeling procedures.
