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16 replies

UPS store now shipping wine (legally)

S squirreljamMember
So I just dropped something off at my local UPS store, and out front, they had a sign advertising wine shipping. I asked the lady who runs the place (think she's a franchisee) and she said she got the place licensed because so many people wanted to ship gift baskets, etc.

I got the impression it's very location specific, but if you ship a lot of wine "under the table" it might be worth dropping in to your local UPS store and asking them what it would take for them to do the same.

Anyway, thought it was pretty cool that I can now avoid shipping "olive oil" and that, in the case of damage, I can claim the insurance.
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K ksc02Member
quote:
Originally posted by theweb:
I believe you've always been able to ship wine by UPS as long as the receiving end is licensed.

I believe that is incorrect, web.

steve8 stopped at a UPS in the States just last week for me to ship a bottle across country (NY to CA). He was directly asked if the box was wine. Olive oil was no issue (and the recipient was indeed licensed).
T thewebMember
quote:
Originally posted by KSC02:
quote:
Originally posted by theweb:
I believe you've always been able to ship wine by UPS as long as the receiving end is licensed.

I believe that is incorrect, web.

steve8 stopped at a UPS in the States just last week for me to ship a bottle across country (NY to CA). He was directly asked if the box was wine. Olive oil was no issue (and the recipient was indeed licensed).


sorry, you are right. I was thinking of Fedex.
W winespartyMember
quote:
Originally posted by theweb:
I was thinking of Fedex.

Is that true? I tried to ship some last year via FedEx and was denied. I had told them it was "olive oil", and they took it (somewhat suspiciously), and then called me 10 minutes later saying that they required an inspection of it and asked for me permission. I said no, and had to go back and pick it up. Of course, I found an alternative method to use their services anyway, so I don't bother going into a FedEx store any more.
T thewebMember
quote:
Originally posted by Wine Sparty:
quote:
Originally posted by theweb:
I was thinking of Fedex.

Is that true? I tried to ship some last year via FedEx and was denied. I had told them it was "olive oil", and they took it (somewhat suspiciously), and then called me 10 minutes later saying that they required an inspection of it and asked for me permission. I said no, and had to go back and pick it up. Of course, I found an alternative method to use their services anyway, so I don't bother going into a FedEx store any more.


Fedex will ship wine as long as either shipper or receiver is licensed, both sides do not have to be. I've been shipping this way and never have had a problem.
G gregtMember
UPS seems to change their rules from time to time, depending on whether they're pressured by the various states. Used to be they'd leave the box at the basement. Then they needed a signature so they'd leave it with the neighbor. Then they couldn't. Then the driver decided to do it on his own. Then the new one wouldn't. Then they would allow me to change the delivery address. Now they want $6 or so to change the delivery address. Then last week they left the box at the basement again. So now I don't know if I have another five year cycle starting.

DHL used to throw the wine down the basement stairs. Then they went out of the business but I still get international shipments from them.

Fed Ex will ship to my neighbor or to me. They don't charge me $6 to change the address or the day. Best of all, God bless them, they deliver on Saturday.

I've used them all to send wine at various times. I assume they're all operating under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. I don't ask them if I can ship wine, they don't tell me I can't. As of last week that policy was still effective. We've been getting along famously for years under that policy and I advocate it.

And it works in reverse too - I don't tell them what I'm shipping and they don't ask.
P pointsarepointlessMember
Greg, Fed Ex in AZ sucks. No such luck with don't ask don't tell here. In AZ I hear "it is wine we need an adult signature and it must be yours or someone you authorize. I live in a guard gate community and the guard is authorized to sign my name. FED EX home refuses to deliver to the guard so I am stuck at home waiting all damn day. If a shipper misses one of the two alcohol/adult labels, the wine is returned to sender.
UPS is much more wine buyer friendly. Also, Golden State overnight is easy to deal with.
mneeley490mneeley490Member
I once tried FedEx. Under "contents" on the label, I wrote "wine". The guy hands it back to me and says they can't ship wine. So I write "wine vinegar" and hand it back to him. He looks at it funny and then looks at me.
I said, "Hey, it's a pretty old bottle. For all I know, it could be vinegar by now."
He shrugs, and takes the package. Big Grin

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