Whether it’s champagne for New Year’s Eve, an imported bottle of whiskey for a birthday, or just a six-pack to say hello, alcohol can be a great gift regardless of the occasion.
However, there’s always the matter of shipping it to a loved one. This article will share what you need to know about mailing alcohol through FedEx. So, if you’ve got something boozy to put in the mail, read this guide first!
Can You Mail Alcohol Through FedEx In 2024?
Individuals may not ship alcohol of any kind through the FedEx network as of 2024. To send alcohol to friends or family members, individuals must purchase directly from a FedEx-authorized alcohol shipper. To become an alcohol shipper, companies must have an account with FedEx, sign an agreement, and adhere to labeling and delivery requirements.
To learn more about FedEx’s alcohol shipping policies, keep reading this article!
Can Individuals Ship Alcohol Through FedEx?
Individuals may not ship alcohol through the FedEx network, including all types of alcohol like wine, beer, liquor, or champagne.
Therefore, to send alcohol as a gift to a friend or family member, it’s best to purchase the alcohol from a licensed retailer or winery and have them mail it to your loved ones.
Why Can’t Individuals Ship Alcohol Through FedEx?
Individuals have not been able to ship alcohol through the mail since the 21st Amendment ended Prohibition.
That said, this Amendment allowed people to drink again but also gave state-by-state guidance. Also, one of the requirements was that regular consumers wouldn’t be able to mail alcohol.
Additionally, the law applies to private shipping companies like FedEx and UPS, but it also holds true for shipments sent through the United States Postal Service (USPS).
What Happens If You Ship Alcohol Through FedEx?
If you choose to disregard FedEx’s alcohol shipping policy rules, do so at your own risk.
Typically, you’ll get a written warning after an initial violation. However, subsequent violations could lead to fines or even jail time, so consider that when you think about breaking the rules.
Can Businesses Ship Alcohol Through FedEx?
Businesses with appropriate alcohol licenses enrolled in the FedEx alcohol shipping program may ship to customers in selected states or countries.
To see state-specific rules, check out FedEx’s Direct to Consumer Wine Shipping State Reference Guide.
Moreover, to enroll in FedEx’s alcohol shipping program, businesses must create a FedEx account, sign the alcohol shipping agreement(s), and comply with shipping requirements.
Which Services Can You Use To Mail Alcohol Through FedEx?
Authorized alcohol shippers may send alcohol using FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, or FedEx Home Delivery Services.
But, FedEx Freight services can only be used when both the shipper and the recipient are licensed wholesalers, dealers, distributors, manufacturers, or importers.
How Should Alcohol Be Packaged For Mailing With FedEx?
Businesses can do a few things to make sure their bottles arrive intact after shipping, including:
- Avoid shipping alcohol in extreme temperatures: Use insulated boxes or a temperature-controlled shipping process.
- Use the right packaging materials and methods: 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 extra tape: Use a corrugated pad at the bottom of your box for added stability.
- Place the shipping label on the top of the box: Placing the label on top of the box increases the chance of the package being kept in the correct orientation.
Further, when it comes to bubble wrap, make sure to use it only in the following circumstances:
- It’s at least two inches thick around the sides, top, and bottom of the bottles
- It’s attached securely to the bottles
- It’s accompanied by extra void fill when needed
Besides these “to-dos,” FedEx tells shippers to avoid packages that have the following:
- Allows bottles to touch (e.g., single corrugated partitions)
- Settles (e.g., packing peanuts)
- Compresses (e.g., wadded paper)
To learn more, you can also read our posts on whether or not FedEx prints labels, do FedEx labels expire, and does FedEx deliver at night.
Conclusion
While FedEx doesn’t allow individuals to ship alcohol to each other, plenty of alcohol businesses are more than capable of delivering drinks where they need to go.
So, if you want to send the gift of alcohol, let someone else take care of the shipping for you.
Also, if you’re part of a company looking to ship alcohol via FedEx, make sure you become an authorized shipper, sign an agreement, and follow proper packaging and labeling procedures.
