Shipping Alcohol with UPS or FedEx | Overview

ShippingEasy Content Team

Updated August 09, 2023 16:48

Mailing and shipping alcohol carries certain restrictions based on the carrier you are choosing. In this article, we go over shipping alcohol through the main three carriers:

USPS
UPS
FedEx

USPS Prohibits Shipping Alcohol

USPS does not allow for the mailing or shipment of alcohol, domestically or internationally.

Additionally, if you are using packaging that was once used to carry alcohol, any and all labeling or branding that shows it could carry alcohol should be covered, or else your package can be denied shipment.

UPS Requirements for Shipping Alcohol

Important

UPS from ShippingEasy One Balance does not permit the shipment of alcohol. Merchants may ship alcohol using their own UPS account.

UPS permits the shipment of alcohol; however, they have a few specific requirements:

UPS Account number:

You must have an account with UPS.

Alcohol shipping agreement:

UPS allows for the shipment of wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages on a per-contract basis.

Alcohol shipping license:

All shippers of alcohol must be licensed and authorized to ship according to the applicable federal or state laws and regulations of the origin and destination states.

Destination restrictions:

UPS does not accept shipments of beer or alcohol for delivery to consumers. UPS accepts shipments of beer or alcohol only among and between selected states.

The ability to ship wine depends upon the nature of the shipper's license to sell wine and the laws of the destination states. Learn more about shipping wine with UPS.

Proper packing:

Inner packaging of molded Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam, folded corrugated tray, or molded fiber tray.
Each packaging component secures the bottles into the center of the shipping container away from the sidewalls of the shipper.
Use of sturdy outer corrugated containers.

Clear labeling:

UPS requires a special label signifying that the package contains alcohol. These can be obtained from UPS. Additional labeling may be required by the origin or destination state.

Documented shipment:

You must create your shipping label with a UPS Compatible Shipping Solution such as WorldShip or any approved third-party vendor system, such as ShippingEasy.

Adult signature:

An adult signature is required for the final delivery of the package. It cannot be dropped off at an address unless someone over 21, with proper identification, signs for it.

For all requirements, read UPS's guide to shipping alcohol with UPS.

FedEx Requirements for Shipping Alcohol

Only FedEx-approved licensed alcohol shippers that have entered into a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement may ship alcohol via FedEx services. Consumers may not ship alcohol of any type via FedEx services.

While FedEx permits the shipment of alcohol, unfortunately, compliant labels cannot be generated through ShippingEasy. For your reference, here are the specific requirements when generating the label with FedEx:

FedEx account number:

You must have an account with FedEx.

Alcohol shipping agreement:

You need to sign an alcohol shipping agreement with FedEx. This can be completed by contacting your FedEx account manager.

Proper packing:

Packaging that ensures your alcoholic shipment is secure.
Completely covered in something soft to prevent glass breakage.
It can absorb liquid if the bottle happens to break.

Clear labeling:

FedEx requires a special label signifying that the package contains alcohol. These can be obtained from FedEx.

Documented shipment:

You can create your shipping label using a FedEx Ship Manager® electronic shipping. This allows FedEx to readily report wine-shipping activity to state authorities as required.

All wine shipments must be identified by entering "$AW" in the Your Reference field or the Customer Reference field on the shipping solution. If you are generating your label outside of FedEx Ship Manager®, "$AW" must be manually keyed into the Reference field.