I want to ship a 750 ml bottle of my mead cross-country from Connecticut to my sister in Alaska. I'm asking about shipping containers - is there a proper shipping container for this?
Shipping a bottle of wine
- Thread starter Maylar
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Wine shipping containers like mac suggested, or you could surround it in bubble wrap and tape it up, then put in a box.
Word of caution: USPS does not allow shipment of alcoholic beverages, period. Both UPS and Fedex require you to be licensed and have signed a contract with them to ship alcohol.
That said, one could send it via UPS or Fedex on the sly and state that it's "glassware" or some "fragile work of art," etc., if anyone asks. Fibbing to UPS or Fedex isn't a crime, AFAIK, but would be a violation of their TOU if they found out, and they'd probably confiscate it. I've shipped lots of stuff via UPS and have never had anyone cut open a box to look inside.
However, I'd recommend avoiding USPS for this as the prohibition is embodied in U.S. Code and if you got caught there could be criminal penalties. I don't want to suggest that anyone do something illegal. If a bottle broke or leaked in-transit...
I know people here send stuff via shippers (e.g., FotD, Secret Santa, etc.), so you just have to be discreet.
Word of caution: USPS does not allow shipment of alcoholic beverages, period. Both UPS and Fedex require you to be licensed and have signed a contract with them to ship alcohol.
That said, one could send it via UPS or Fedex on the sly and state that it's "glassware" or some "fragile work of art," etc., if anyone asks. Fibbing to UPS or Fedex isn't a crime, AFAIK, but would be a violation of their TOU if they found out, and they'd probably confiscate it. I've shipped lots of stuff via UPS and have never had anyone cut open a box to look inside.
However, I'd recommend avoiding USPS for this as the prohibition is embodied in U.S. Code and if you got caught there could be criminal penalties. I don't want to suggest that anyone do something illegal. If a bottle broke or leaked in-transit...
I know people here send stuff via shippers (e.g., FotD, Secret Santa, etc.), so you just have to be discreet.
That^
I'd roll that bottle in a few layers of bubble wrap, then put inside a box, filling up the extra space around it so it doesn't bounce. Make sure the ends are protected too.
It's probably advisable to stick the bubble wrapped bottle inside a sturdy plastic bag and seal that well, to help contain the liquid in case the bottle cracks.
I'd roll that bottle in a few layers of bubble wrap, then put inside a box, filling up the extra space around it so it doesn't bounce. Make sure the ends are protected too.
It's probably advisable to stick the bubble wrapped bottle inside a sturdy plastic bag and seal that well, to help contain the liquid in case the bottle cracks.
And throw in a couple of scoops of kitty litter or other absorbent material. The only way a shipper is going to know that you lied to them about the contents is if liquid actually leaks out.
Q: How much kitty litter to add to the plastic bag?
A: The results of studies and research show that a typical clay substrate absorbs liquids approximately equal to its weight.
However, some of the more advanced formulations seem to be more absorbent, even as high as 280% of its weight.
I wonder if rolling the bottle up in a full roll of paper kitchen towels could contain all the liquid if it broke. It will still be a soggy mess, with sharp glass shards that could puncture the enveloping plastic bag.
Ultimately, the sturdy plastic bag should be able prevent the content from leaking out if it broke.
In short, it's most important to ensure the bottle can and will arrive at its destiny, unbroken!
Everything else would be just safeguards to reduce the mess from an unfortunate mishap during its shipping process.
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I'm aware of the carrier constraints and the USPS rules. I've shipped crown cap beer bottles to comps before with the baggies and bubble wrap etc. I list them as "bottled water". But a big 750 is different. Those egg crate things are OK but the outer box needs to be robust and I don't really want to fabricate my own.
The vendor I linked to also sells outer boxes.
A 12 oz bottle is ~355 ml.
2 of those bottles would be a tad over 710 ml. A 750 is not all that much more.
Now a 750 is a much bigger (glass) container, making it somewhat more susceptible to breakage, sure.
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Indeed they do! Thank you.
Diapers contain super absorbent polymer that should soak up a lot of liquid, and contain the mess.
Great idea. I have a vac sealer and never thought to do that.
Are vacuum bags sturdy enough to prevent being pierced by (sharp) glass shards if the bottle happens to break?
Probably not if pierced or cut by the glass but if if the top is compromised or if the bottle is broken its a small reassurance
Maybe you could double bag it. On the second bag, don't vacuum. Oh man, I can see a few tests in my future.
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Update: I got some ULINE boxes. UPS ground, $129 - ouch. FedEx wants twice that 
Bubble wrap is your friend. As stated above be sure to wrap both ends well. And what ever box you use, stuff it so there is little to no movement.
Also, use feed ex or ups. If the bottle breaks they just discard it. (Ask me how i know). Violation of a policy is not criminal. Shipping USPS is illegal.
Also, use feed ex or ups. If the bottle breaks they just discard it. (Ask me how i know). Violation of a policy is not criminal. Shipping USPS is illegal.
