How To Get Wine Shipped Commercially

There are many steps required to get wine shipped commercially. Over the years, wine sales have been increasing steadily. Especially since more entrepreneurs are starting up wine bar franchises in their local areas. To keep up with demand, several states have introduced regulations and laws for shipping wine commercially. As a winery owner, you can surely expand your business by shipping to wholesalers, distributors and retailers. This way, your winery can increase wine shipment volume domestically, and perhaps internationally. In this post, we will discuss how to get wine shipped commercially.

Licensing Requirements

First off, consider the various licensing requirements to get wine shipped commercially. There are many different types of licenses depending on the recipient and the location. You must comply with state laws when shipping wine directly to consumers. For shipments going out of state, you must ensure that you use a licensed retailer. It is crucial to take into account the location of the recipient as some states have different laws that may not comply with commercial shipping. Have a firm understanding of the necessary licensing requirements your winery will need to ship wine commercially.

Authorization Process

Next, consider what the authorization process looks like to get wine shipped commercially. An authorization process is required to ensure compliance with all shipping requirements. Create an account with a commercial carrier that will transport your wine orders. The commercial carrier will require you to sign an alcohol shipping agreement. Similar to brand licensing agreements, this authorization ensures your winery complies with packing, label and signature requirements. Certain fees may also be required per each shipment depending on the carrier. Ensure that you meet the necessary requirements to get authorization to ship wine through a delivery service commercially.

Packing Protection Procedures

Now, you are ready to learn about the packing protection procedures for shipping wine commercially. Due to the fragility of wine, careful and strong protection is required in the packing process. A major concern in the packing process is preventing the wine from oxidizing. Use foam sheets, Styrofoam or bubble wrap to wrap each bottle securely and prevent oxidization. Place a shipping label on the top of each box to clearly show delivery drivers the proper way to carry the box. Consider temperature controlled casing to combat possible freezing and other weather related complications. It is crucial to have a secure packing process to ensure the safety of your commercially shipped wine.

Shipping Cost Considerations

Of course, there are several shipping costs to analyze when distributing wine commercially. There are many factors that contribute to variations in shipping costs. Many commercial carriers charge wineries based on the weight or size of the shipment. With wine coming in glass bottles, even small shipments can be hefty. Additionally, every alcohol shipment requires an adult signature which is labor intensive. In fact, small businesses have been transitioning towards a digital signature service to increase convenience and protection. Due to this, shipper’s charge extra fees that are in some cases required by law. The destination of the shipment also affects the cost of labor as well as gasoline prices. Consider the impact of the size and destination on shipping costs.

Scale International Shipping

To commercially ship wine on an international scale, there are several additional precautions you must take. There are many firm rules for shipping wine internationally depending on the specific countries’ regulations. Certain agencies do not recognize wine as a household good which can affect the process of shipping the wine to that specific location. Research the wine export and import rules of the countries you will ship to. Similar to domestic shipping, international shipments also require the use of commercial carriers. You will also need to fill out paperwork such as customs declarations and attach labels to each shipment. Consider additional taxes or fees you will need to pay depending on the destination country. Research the laws and rules regarding alcohol shipment to ship your wine commercially overseas.

Of course, it is a process to ship wine commercially. Make sure to meet the necessary licensing requirements that correspond with your shipments. Go through the authorization process with a commercial carrier to transport your wine to various locations. Expand your winery business by commercially shipping your wine overseas. Establish a secure packing process to protect your product throughout its delivery journey. Consider the variations of shipping costs depending on the size and destination. Surely, you can ship your wine commercially and expand the business of your winery.