Newest Threads

DuffmanAK · 07-30-2008, 11:49 PM

So.. lil strange question. And I'm sure I'll get a quicker response here than from the local USPS. What are thier regulations on mailing beer? Do they care? Do they even allow it?

Thing is, I live in Alaska, most of my family is not in Alaska. I would like to share some of my first homebrew, and this is the only way I can think of how (short of having them visit).

Thoughts?

ExpertBrewers · 07-30-2008, 11:50 PM

I believe the laws in the US are you can't mail beer, especially over state lines.

..::Edit::.. But.... you can always mail yeast samples in propagation medium

.

**John Beere** · 07-30-2008, 11:52 PM

Call it "live yeast samples" and mail away! How do you think all the brew swaps trade beer?

Desert Monkey · 07-30-2008, 11:53 PM

Think it's best to use UPS or FedEx, not USPS - something in the back of my mind says that the best way to go....

ExpertBrewers · 07-30-2008, 11:53 PM

lol, I must have been editing my post as you were posting. Anyways if you do ship them make sure they are well sealed/bagged you definitely don't want the beer leaking out if a bottle should break.

DuffmanAK · 07-30-2008, 11:55 PM

Ya I'm only looking to sent 1 bottle to a few folks (it's a taste after all). Not like I'll be sending out cases

On that note, do FedEx/UPS not have similar cross-state-line-beer rules?

***Yooper*** · 07-30-2008, 11:56 PM

My understanding is that mailing alcohol through the USPS is illegal. It is NOT illegal to do it through UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc, but they may tell you it's against policy.

**John Beere** · 07-30-2008, 11:59 PM

I didn't even catch that... USPS, UPS. Oops.

**olllllo** · 07-31-2008, 12:03 AM

Wiki.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Is_it_legal_to_send_homebrew_through_the_mail%3F

Could use some help in there.

**olllllo** · 07-31-2008, 12:06 AM

Essentially, it's not legal, but it boils down to which agency of the government you want to run afoul of and what is the liklihood of enforcement, siezure, or civil or criminal fines.

1) It is against Federal law to ship alcohol via the USPS.
2) It's against policy to ship alcohol via Fed Ex, DHL, UPS unless you are a valid shipper of alcohol. If your package breaks, they may turn your package to your state's alcohol control board or they may return it to you, or they may dispose of it, or they may re-pack it and ship it. You are at the mercy of that employee.
3) It's undoubtedly against state law (UT inparticular) to ship beer. I read on realbeer that UT's ACB has siezed likely alcohol shipments. Google it.
4) It's against the law to ship alcohol to minors.
5) It's against the law to ship alcohol to another country without using a customs approved shipper. See beertown.org for information about their world beer contest.

So don't do #1 or #4 or #5. If you do #2, make sure your package is bulletproof. Don't identify the contents as alcohol. Dont' get insurance, etc.