Sending Beer Mail - Newbie with Questions

[BeginnerBebeBrewer]

Hi Everyone,

I have got to the point where I'm kind of proud of my beer and I would love to share a few bottles with friends.

I had a number of questions that I was hoping that I could get a bit of help with.

1) Firstly, I live in California and it may be naive......but are you allowed to send beer mail in the US? I don't want to be breaking any laws.

2) Transportation - I have seen numerous people on youtube who send beer mail using plastic screw top bottles (they appear to be similar plastic soda bottles). Can I buy them online? I don't really want to send glass bottles.

Thanks everyone,

 

[brewcat]

#1 - No for USPS. You technically aren't allowed to do it without private carrier permission either. But... They don't ask. And if they did, it is BBQ sauce.

#2 - Yeah you can buy the plastic bottles online. If you need to send glass, there are plenty of effective ways to do it.

 

[Inkleg]

Good morning and congratulations on getting your beer to the point of "Hey, this stuff is good" and wanting to share it with friends further away.

I have a friend in CA and we ship beer back and forth a few times a year. I use UPS as they pick up at work and it just makes it super easy. My friend in CA actually ships flat rate box USPS as that is easier for him. Is he breaking the law, yep. Is he in jail or been fined, not yet.
About a year ago bottle broke in a package he had sent to me. The outcome was that someone at USPS repackaged the remaining 2 bottles and sent them on to me with a note inside saying they were sorry for the damaged merchandise. Go figure, maybe that employee was a Home Brewer also.

The best way I've found to get beer safely to it's destination (I only use glass) is to wrap each bottle in small bubble wrap enough to overlap the bottom and top. I'll then chose a box big enough to get the job done. I'll lay at least one layer sometimes two of large bubble warp in the box and start loading bottles with some wrap to keep them from touching each. I make sure the sides of the box have some bubble wrap too. What you are look for is to not have any bottles touching and nothing able to shift when you tape the box closed.

I hope you beers are enjoyed by all who receive.

 

[brandonlovesbeer]

Beer in the mail is a major no no.
Technically all of these beer competitions are asking you to break the law.

And before someone posts a response saying "Say they are yeast samples"...

That is a crap shoot. Most postal services are wise to this.

 

[TravelingLight]

Is it legal to ship beer in the mail? No. But neither is going 57 in a 55. I ship/trade all the time. Here are a few pointers I've learned over the years...

1) Wrap each bottle/can in bubble wrap, secured with a rubber band. I also wrap the crown caps of my bottles with electrical tape. Some people frown on this, but IMO it's an added layer of protection. Also, put each bubble-wrapped can/bottle in a zip-lock bag. This is in case one bottle leaks it doesn't saturate the whole box. Which leads me to #2...

2) I typically line the inside of the box with a trash bag. Again, this is in case you have any leaks it doesn't destroy the whole box.

3) Don't over pack your box (that's what she said). You want everything in there secure and packed tight. But you also want space (with bubble wrap, etc) between bottles. If I am sending multiple, I usually layer the box and separate layers with a piece of cardboard or something.

4) One final thing I usually do before closing up the box is toss in a few pennies. They will rattle around and mask the sound of liquid sloshing if you can hear any of that.

When/if they ask what you're shipping, say any damn thing you want. I've said barbecue sauce before. Usually I say books and clothes or something generic like that. Also, I prefer FedEx (UPS works too). I can print out my label at home and just drop the box off. I also never weigh my boxes. I have a pretty good idea of what it weighs and I just input that in the weight. If it's over that, they'll just add it to the cost. But honestly I don't think I have ever had a box re-weighed and added to the cost.

 

[brandonlovesbeer]

Is it legal to ship beer in the mail? No. But neither is going 57 in a 55. I ship/trade all the time. Here are a few pointers I've learned over the years...

Yes But one is a federal crime. And the other may get you a warning ticket from a cop if he even bothers to chase after you ahead of the other speeding at 65 or 70.

 

[TravelingLight]

Yes But one is a federal crime. And the other may get you a warning ticket from a cop if he even bothers to chase after you ahead of the other speeding at 65 or 70.

Oh I agree. But, federal crime notwithstanding, nobody is going to prison for mailing some beer.

 

[h22lude]

Beer in the mail is a major no no.
Technically all of these beer competitions are asking you to break the law.

And before someone posts a response saying "Say they are yeast samples"...

That is a crap shoot. Most postal services are wise to this.

Yes, it is illegal to ship using USPS but it is NOT illegal to ship using UPS and FedEx. How do you think these wine and beer of the month clubs exist? To ship using UPS or FedEx you do need to have a certain account with them which obviously you pay extra for.

You can still ship using UPS or FedEx without one of their accounts but that is going against their policy (still not against the law though). If they do find you are shipping beer, they can take it and not give you a refund for the shipping cost so there is risk involved.

 

[TravelingLight]

Yes, it is illegal to ship using USPS but it is NOT illegal to ship using UPS and FedEx. How do you think these wine and beer of the month clubs exist? To ship using UPS or FedEx you do need to have a certain account with them which obviously you pay extra for.

You can still ship using UPS or FedEx without one of their accounts but that is going against their policy (still not against the law though). If they do find you are shipping beer, they can take it and not give you a refund for the shipping cost so there is risk involved.

I thought you had to have some sort of federal license/permit to legally ship beer in the U.S.? Again, doesn't bother me because I break the law every day in some way. Just curious.

ETA: Welp, just looked and apparently you are correct! I had no idea. TIL. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[h22lude]

I thought you had to have some sort of federal license/permit to legally ship beer in the U.S.? Again, doesn't bother me because I break the law every day in some way. Just curious.

ETA: Welp, just looked and apparently you are correct! I had no idea. TIL. Thanks for the heads up.

Looks like UPS and FedEx require an alcohol shippers contract and both parties need to be 21. It does sound like you need to be a business to get that contract so it is against their policy to ship beer from consumer to consumer. Again, still not illegal.

 

[brandonlovesbeer]

Yes, it is illegal to ship using USPS but it is NOT illegal to ship using UPS and FedEx. How do you think these wine and beer of the month clubs exist? To ship using UPS or FedEx you do need to have a certain account with them which obviously you pay extra for.



You can still ship using UPS or FedEx without one of their accounts but that is going against their policy (still not against the law though). If they do find you are shipping beer, they can take it and not give you a refund for the shipping cost so there is risk involved.

It certainly is against their rules to ship alcohol unless you are a licensed business. There is a sign hanging at the UPS and FedEx depot center.
It specifically states not alcoholic beverages may be shipped. And they deserve the right to open and inspect your packages if they suspect any item may contain contraband.

 

[h22lude]

It certainly is against their rules to ship alcohol unless you are a licensed business. There is a sign hanging at the UPS and FedEx depot center.
It specifically states not alcoholic beverages may be shipped. And they deserve the right to open and inspect your packages if they suspect any item may contain contraband.

I think you need to read my post you quoted again lol I said it isn't illegal but it is against their policy unless you have a contract with them.

 

[brewmasterbryan]

Thanks for posting this, as I am getting ready to send a buddy of mine some of my "bbq sauce"

Will most likely go UPS for this. Just sending a 22 ounce bomber down for this round. We will see how it goes!

 

[h22lude]

Thanks for posting this, as I am getting ready to send a buddy of mine some of my "bbq sauce"

Will most likely go UPS for this. Just sending a 22 ounce bomber down for this round. We will see how it goes!

Use a lot of bubble wrap for glass. Cans are much safer to send but if it has to be glass, pad it well.

 

[C-Rider]

I've been using UPS this year after FEDEX refused to ship beer even though they have since 2015. So I first wrap each bottle in a 1' square bubble wrap. That goes inside a zip lock bag. The box 16 x 16 x 16 gets a double layer of bubble wrap all around. Then I put in a layer of what looks like little air filled pillows. Then I place the 6 bottles in and stuff more of the pillows between the bottles and the sides of the box. Then more pillows and bubble wrap on top of the bottles. This has worked for the past 3 years w/o any broken bottles. I make labels that say CAUTION CERAMICS PLEASE HANDLE W/CARE. UPS doesn't ever ask what's inside since the labels tell them the lie. LOL