Need to ship wine internationally and not quite sure where to begin?

Whether you’re looking to ship large quantities of wine for commercial purposes or a couple of bottles to another country as a gift, understanding the process is crucial to ensure a smooth journey for your wine shipment.

At InXpress Sandton, we're excited to announce our new international wine logistics service, designed to cater specifically to the needs of wine exporters and enthusiasts. With our expertise and specialized services, we aim to simplify the process of shipping wine abroad, ensuring compliance with regulations and timely delivery of your precious cargo.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to shipping wine internationally:

How to Go about Shipping Wine Internationally:

Though the process for shipping any alcoholic beverage internationally can be tricky, it is not impossible nor uncommon. Simply knowing the restrictions and regulations that apply to your wine shipment will help you in navigating them with a bit more ease.

1. Know the Regulations:

Understanding the regulations and restrictions that apply to wine shipments is essential. Stay informed about export and import rules in the countries you intend to ship to, as regulations may vary.

2. Documentation and Declarations:

Ensure all necessary documents, such as customs declarations and commercial invoices, are accurately filled out. Clearly state whether the wine is for commercial consignment or personal use/gift.

3. Duties and Taxes:

Be aware of any additional taxes or duties applicable to your wine shipment. Duty rates vary based on factors such as alcohol content and destination country. Check the official website of the destination country for specific rates.

4. Packaging for Protection:

Proper packaging is crucial to prevent damage during transit. Use sturdy cardboard boxes, protective wrapping materials like bubble wrap, and polystyrene for shock absorption. Label the package as fragile and handle with care.

5. Commercial Invoices:

Include detailed descriptions of the wine on commercial invoices, specifying quantity, type, alcohol percentage, country of origin, producer, and value per bottle. This information helps customs authorities assess duties accurately.

6. InXpress' International Wine Logistics Service:

With our new international wine logistics service, we provide specialized solutions tailored to the unique requirements of shipping wine. From expert guidance on regulatory compliance to seamless logistics management, we ensure a hassle-free shipping experience for our clients.

Easing the process of your wine shipments:

1. Make sure that your carrier is aware that your shipment contains wine.

2. Fill out all necessary documents (like customs declarations & commercial invoices) and state whether the wine is intended for commercial consignment or as a gift.

3. Inform yourself and stay up to date with the specific export and import rules of the areas that you wish to ship to regularly (as the rules applied to wine shipments differ from country to country).

4. Check whether there are any additional taxes or duties that you’ll need to pay on your wine shipment - find out how much they will cost and how you can make these payments.

5. Package your wine correctly in order to ensure no damage occurs during transit.

6. Label your shipment correctly (and state that it is fragile).

Customs & Wine Shipments:

You will need to provide accurate documentation in order to ship wine internationally. Especially when you are shipping large quantities (as they require a valid import license).

Customs will use this information in order to correctly evaluate and decide which duties and taxes should be applied to your shipment.

Duties & Taxes when Shipping Alcohol:

As with any other alcohol beverages, duty rates will be charged on your wine shipments. These rates are usually based on the alcohol content of each bottle (and so they are generally higher for vodka and other spirits). 

It is important to note that these rates differ from country to country. In order to figure out exactly what duties and taxes you’ll need to pay, we recommend checking your destination country's official website.

Why are Duties & Taxes Placed on Wine Shipments?

Governments place these fees on certain imported goods, including alcoholic beverages like wine, in order to:

• Protect the local wine industry from foreign competitors.
• Manage and control the flow of certain alcohol products.
• And most importantly, to generate revenue for the country.

Packaging Wine for International Shipping:

A crucial step in understanding how to ship wine internationally, is learning how to package it correctly.

Wine bottles (along with other alcohol bottles) need to be carefully packed with special, protective packaging in order to protect them and ensure that no damage occurs during their shipment.

Materials Needed when Packaging Wine for International Shipping:

• Sturdy cardboard boxes
• Cardboard cartons
• Protective wrapping materials (like bubble wrap)
• Polystyrene
• Adhesive tape

10 Steps for Packaging Wine Correctly:

1 - Wrap your bottles of wine individually using bubble wrap or any other material that will protect them from any shocks during the shipment.

2 - Put your wine bottles into smaller boxes, separating them using cardboard dividers (or any other cushioning materials) 

3 - Fill up any empty spaces to minimize any movement.

4 - Seal your smaller boxes and place them into a larger box.

5 - Again, fill up any spaces in between the boxes with available cushioning materials. 

6 - Once the larger box is correctly secured, seal it with your adhesive tape.

7 - Attach polystyrene sheets to the outside of the bigger cardboard box for further protection and shock absorption.

8 - Put your sealed package into a third sturdy box and fill any empty spaces with more cushioning. Place more polystyrene over the top.

9 - Tape the lid shut with a generous amount of adhesive sealant.

10 - Label your package with signs stating ‘fragile’ or ‘handle with care’ on the top and all sides.

One of the most important documents with regard to your international wine shipments will be your Commercial invoice... 

How to Include Wine on a Commercial Invoice:

Detailed descriptions of your wine (both for commercial and personal shipments) need to be included on your commercial invoices. 

Many countries around the world charge duties based on the type of wine as well

as its alcohol content. It’s important to be very specific with your descriptions in order to ensure that your shipments aren’t held up at customs and that the correct taxes will be applied.

When shipping wine internationally, the information in the table below should be clearly indicated on your Commercial Invoices as well as any other additional documents (including the Air Waybill) required by authorities in your shipping process.

Looking for more information?

For further assistance or to speak directly with one of our dedicated team members, please contact us at InXpress Sandton. We’re here to simplify the process and provide you with the best possible shipping experience.