Legally shipping home brew through FEDEX
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Meh. Just say you're shipping bottles. They don't need to know anything more.
It's beer - it's not going to bring down a freighter
Cheers!
It's beer - it's not going to bring down a freighter
Cheers!
Yeast samples... You gotta store them somehow...
To my knowledge you cannot legally ship beer (or liquor) through FedEx. I believe it is only wine, and you need to have a special alcohol account with them to ship that.
That being said, I've heard of beer and liquor being shipped, in unmarked boxes. I would say you could do that, and just protect the bottles and bag them, so if there is a break/leak it is contained and they never know.
That being said, I've heard of beer and liquor being shipped, in unmarked boxes. I would say you could do that, and just protect the bottles and bag them, so if there is a break/leak it is contained and they never know.
Declare it root-beer, soda, pop, cola, kombucha, ginger-ale, sparkling water, artisan olive oil or anything else you like.
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Koi pond samples should work
I always say yeast samples, but the last 3 times I have shipped beer I have been asked what I am shipping. Once I was asked if I was shipping beer, probably because I was shipping to Norther Brewer. If there was a way to become within FEDEX rules allowed to ship beer I would do it.
Steveruch
Well-Known Member
I believe it's only illegal to ship alcohol through the post office, but FedEx and ups can be real dicks about it.
When I've shipped beer in the past Ive gone online, entered all the info, printed a shipping label, paid for it and dropped it off at a mailbox place that does shipping as a side line. I've never been asked what I'm shipping.
When I've shipped beer in the past Ive gone online, entered all the info, printed a shipping label, paid for it and dropped it off at a mailbox place that does shipping as a side line. I've never been asked what I'm shipping.
Steveruch
Well-Known Member
I've gotten around that issue by either using the initials, or using a name of one of the employees.
Kirkwooder
Emperor of all things nobody cares about
Pre-urine samples off to the lab.
At least then you won't be caught in a lie!
At least then you won't be caught in a lie!
TwistedGray
El Jefe Brewing Company
I reached out to Fedex ([email protected]) once they closed my account due to shipping alcohol; however, they will never respond with good information (re: the process). Their only useful response was, "Please contact your Sales Representative. He/she will gather the necessary paperwork and submit for an agreement for signature."
Yep,
"Live yeast samples" is how I ship..
Never had a problem.
Have had a time where my luggage had DHS stickers/tape and thought I would open to a note that said "thanks.." but all the beer was there.
"Live yeast samples" is how I ship..
Never had a problem.
Have had a time where my luggage had DHS stickers/tape and thought I would open to a note that said "thanks.." but all the beer was there.
breweer
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They caught you? How’s it happen?
To ship on the up and up through UPS and Fedex you basically have to be a licensed retailer. They won't allow individuals to do it. It's not illegal, but it's a violation of terms of service. You can't be arrested or fined or anything, but they can halt your shipment and dispose of it (read- someone probably takes home and drinks it) without a refund. I imagine it's a liability thing since they then have to hand to a person and ID them and what not since they're providing alcohol.
I have always printed labels at home and just handed off. I haven't had a problem with FedEx, just UPS. Neither ever asked me. Once UPS damaged a box (broke a bottle). They told me which bottle broke, repacked and delivered the rest. Another time UPS told me it was alcohol and "disposed" of it, no refund. I didn't even get a damage notice so it may have been a routine inspection (which they allegedly do randomly, from what I understand so they can't be held liable for shipping illegal goods, but as far as I know maybe that's rumor).
All depends on who's hands it ends up in.
Through the USPS it is illegal and potentially punishable with jail time.
I have always printed labels at home and just handed off. I haven't had a problem with FedEx, just UPS. Neither ever asked me. Once UPS damaged a box (broke a bottle). They told me which bottle broke, repacked and delivered the rest. Another time UPS told me it was alcohol and "disposed" of it, no refund. I didn't even get a damage notice so it may have been a routine inspection (which they allegedly do randomly, from what I understand so they can't be held liable for shipping illegal goods, but as far as I know maybe that's rumor).
All depends on who's hands it ends up in.
Through the USPS it is illegal and potentially punishable with jail time.
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TwistedGray
El Jefe Brewing Company
Lol, exactly how you might expect... Something leaks
breweer
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Bummer. I figure my time will come soon enough
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Around 10 or 15 years ago, I needed to ship some beer entries to Boston for the Sam Adams Longshot competition. It's illegal to ship alcoholic beverages via USPS. Also, at the time it was illegal (it was a FELONY in fact) to ship alcoholic beverages into or out of the state of Maryland unless you were a licensed distributor. Wine of the Month Club could land you in the slammer. Fortunately the House of Delegates changed the statues a few years ago.
Before retirement, I worked for a major airline flying out of Dulles (Virginia) and had reciprocal employee discount with FedEx, but I had to drop off in person at the airport air freight facility. As fate would have it, I had just completed my biennial refresher HAZMAT training and was familiar with the Federal regulations and prohibitions regarding carriage and transhipment of alcohol. 100 proof whisky, OK. 151 rum from Jamaican duty free, not so much. But I didn't know what specific rules FedEx might have.
So in my declaration of contents I didn't lie, but I did endeavor to "obscure through exact specificity." I declared the contents to be "cereal malt liquid samples for analysis." The shipping agent behind the counter was doing her job.
"So what exactly are the contents?", she asked.
"Liquid derived from cereal grains, primarily barley," said I, "sealed and packaged in accordance with DOT and FAA regulations to prevent breakage and leakage."
"Is the liquid flammable ?"
Pause. "No, not really."
Eyebrow raised, "Well, what is flammable?"
"The liquid is approximately 5% ethanol by volume so it technically has a slightly volatile component, but it is not flammable at that concentration." I knew I was dancing on the edge.
"I'm going to have to call Memphis to get an approval on this," she said.
I had only succeeded in confusing the issue. Soon she was on the phone in the middle of a conversation between me and the HAZMAT specialist, and it wasn't going well. She couldn't explain what I'd told her, and he couldn't understand what she was trying to convey. The HAZMAT guy asked to talk directly to me.
"So what is this substance?", he asked.
I repeated, "Cereal malt liquid samples being submitted for analysis, containing 5% ethanol in a non-flammable concentration, properly packaged in compliance with all applicable regulations."
After considering what I'd told him for a few seconds, he said, "It sounds like beer!"
I finally said truthfully, "It IS beer."
"Oh. O.K. then. You're good to ship."
So I'm guessing that, unless FedEx has changed their internal rules of carriage of alcoholic beverages, then you should be good to go. Just don't try to use the U.S. Postal Service. That will get you into legal jeopardy.
Brooo Brother
Before retirement, I worked for a major airline flying out of Dulles (Virginia) and had reciprocal employee discount with FedEx, but I had to drop off in person at the airport air freight facility. As fate would have it, I had just completed my biennial refresher HAZMAT training and was familiar with the Federal regulations and prohibitions regarding carriage and transhipment of alcohol. 100 proof whisky, OK. 151 rum from Jamaican duty free, not so much. But I didn't know what specific rules FedEx might have.
So in my declaration of contents I didn't lie, but I did endeavor to "obscure through exact specificity." I declared the contents to be "cereal malt liquid samples for analysis." The shipping agent behind the counter was doing her job.
"So what exactly are the contents?", she asked.
"Liquid derived from cereal grains, primarily barley," said I, "sealed and packaged in accordance with DOT and FAA regulations to prevent breakage and leakage."
"Is the liquid flammable ?"
Pause. "No, not really."
Eyebrow raised, "Well, what is flammable?"
"The liquid is approximately 5% ethanol by volume so it technically has a slightly volatile component, but it is not flammable at that concentration." I knew I was dancing on the edge.
"I'm going to have to call Memphis to get an approval on this," she said.
I had only succeeded in confusing the issue. Soon she was on the phone in the middle of a conversation between me and the HAZMAT specialist, and it wasn't going well. She couldn't explain what I'd told her, and he couldn't understand what she was trying to convey. The HAZMAT guy asked to talk directly to me.
"So what is this substance?", he asked.
I repeated, "Cereal malt liquid samples being submitted for analysis, containing 5% ethanol in a non-flammable concentration, properly packaged in compliance with all applicable regulations."
After considering what I'd told him for a few seconds, he said, "It sounds like beer!"
I finally said truthfully, "It IS beer."
"Oh. O.K. then. You're good to ship."
So I'm guessing that, unless FedEx has changed their internal rules of carriage of alcoholic beverages, then you should be good to go. Just don't try to use the U.S. Postal Service. That will get you into legal jeopardy.
Brooo Brother
I can say with experience, with FedEx at least, wine can be shipped with no issue, the a properly licensed account for it. Any other alcoholic substance, including beer, is at minimum against company policy.
When shipping its easiest to just pack to if there is a leak it doesn't get noticed (make the box wet or smell). Some employees will let it go, others will report it every time, and I also know it is against policy to take anything from damaged packages for personal or company use. If an employee does take an item, they can face discipline up to and including termination, depending on the offense.
If you take the package to FedEx Office, they are usually some of the worst to deal with because they only enforce "policies" and have no idea what actually goes on when shipping. So, they usually over enforce things, such as requiring a foam shipping cooler be packed inside a box, despite shipping accounts mailing them with cout boxes daily.
If you're really concerned about getting caught, don't do it. If you're semi-concerned, go in to a shipping center, have them create a label for you and if asked either deny that it is liquid, or tell them it is but backed so it will not leak, then pay cash. Or if you're not worried, create and print a label from home and drop it off, you usually won't get asked any questions doimg that.
When shipping its easiest to just pack to if there is a leak it doesn't get noticed (make the box wet or smell). Some employees will let it go, others will report it every time, and I also know it is against policy to take anything from damaged packages for personal or company use. If an employee does take an item, they can face discipline up to and including termination, depending on the offense.
If you take the package to FedEx Office, they are usually some of the worst to deal with because they only enforce "policies" and have no idea what actually goes on when shipping. So, they usually over enforce things, such as requiring a foam shipping cooler be packed inside a box, despite shipping accounts mailing them with cout boxes daily.
If you're really concerned about getting caught, don't do it. If you're semi-concerned, go in to a shipping center, have them create a label for you and if asked either deny that it is liquid, or tell them it is but backed so it will not leak, then pay cash. Or if you're not worried, create and print a label from home and drop it off, you usually won't get asked any questions doimg that.
I've seen a 6-pack, bubble wrapped and with some packing peanuts, taken to a UPS store. When asked, the guy told the lady they were microbiological samples in glass bottles. She asked if they could survive being dropped from waist-high, and he gave a convincing "yeah, probably". They seemed fine with it.
The six-pack made it fine.
The six-pack made it fine.
TwistedGray
El Jefe Brewing Company
I attempted to ship wine through Fedex, they knew it was wine, and they called my cell phone asking if they could open the box to confirm it was wine, and while on the phone they proceeded to let me know you cannot ship wine. This was packaging, labeling at home and dropped off at the center without any interaction with the folks behind the counter.
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'Doug' knows you well bro! [emoji6]
What's funny is the National HB competition dialog says there's no issues sending beer, which obviously thousands of us do every year.
TwistedGray
El Jefe Brewing Company
Which is false, obviously. I should say, "Well, the National HB competition says it's okay." and see where that lands me, lol.
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TwistedGray
El Jefe Brewing Company
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Yellow guy deserves itLooks like purple guy about to ram rod poor yellow guy
Must be a good cop bad cop thing
TwistedGray
El Jefe Brewing Company
Or V-Day innuendos?
And to stay on topic, @Brooothru - If I can find my letter from Fedex it most certainly states the opposite of your findings. I may have tossed the letter, but it's on one of our trade threads...perhaps I'll get around to it tonight or we can swindle @PianoMan to find it, bwahahaha or maybe @jerbrew since he caused the damn mess by picking up his beer, lol. Doh!
Here's my story:
Back about 6 years ago I sent a couple bottles via USPS to a guy that was doing youtube evaluations. I liked his program. I got a call from a postmaster in New Hampshire asking me what was in the package. Something told me to tell the truth. He told me a bottle broke, but because I told the truth he wouldn't prosecute.
I now have a UPS account, package everything up at work (make sure I do it REALLY well!) and drop it off at the local UPS store. No one has ever asked what they are.
Back about 6 years ago I sent a couple bottles via USPS to a guy that was doing youtube evaluations. I liked his program. I got a call from a postmaster in New Hampshire asking me what was in the package. Something told me to tell the truth. He told me a bottle broke, but because I told the truth he wouldn't prosecute.
I now have a UPS account, package everything up at work (make sure I do it REALLY well!) and drop it off at the local UPS store. No one has ever asked what they are.
TwistedGray
El Jefe Brewing Company
Can someone find someone who was prosecuted for sending beer to a friend? Sounds a little too scare tactic-y @JimRausch, but then again is it worth the risk? Probably not...
But my letter from them (USPS) was just a form with blanks (my name, etc). Whoever filled the form did so with a friggin' pencil; I'm not that concerned. I've also talked over the phone with a Postmaster General who I initially didn't tell the truth to. Honestly at the time I forgot beer was heading my way, and I'm pretty sure the shipper didn't have any issues. They're still shipping in USPS as far as I know.
FWIW, I'll use UPS for a bit. After all, they are cheaper than USPS albeit days and days slower. If I'm shipping canned sours, USPS because they have a tendency to expand and explode if not kept at fridge temps.
But my letter from them (USPS) was just a form with blanks (my name, etc). Whoever filled the form did so with a friggin' pencil; I'm not that concerned. I've also talked over the phone with a Postmaster General who I initially didn't tell the truth to. Honestly at the time I forgot beer was heading my way, and I'm pretty sure the shipper didn't have any issues. They're still shipping in USPS as far as I know.
FWIW, I'll use UPS for a bit. After all, they are cheaper than USPS albeit days and days slower. If I'm shipping canned sours, USPS because they have a tendency to expand and explode if not kept at fridge temps.
