5 Expert Tips for Packing Wine Bottles in Shipping Boxes

wine bottles in a wooden crate
There’s nothing like a bottle of great wine. The sound of the cork popping, the aroma and, of course, the palate-pleasing deliciousness. But every wine has a story, and part of that story is how it gets from one place to another. 



Good wine is a fragile thing, and that can make shipping it intimidatingly tricky. At Air Sea Containers, we like to empower our customers with the knowledge that allows them to fearlessly face any shipping challenge. Whether you’re shipping a basic table wine or a $500 bottle of Barolo, these five key tips from wine shipping experts will help you ensure that your vino makes it safely to its destination. 

1. Know the laws and shipment regulations.


Shipping any kind of alcoholic beverage comes with increased regulations, so make sure to read up. At a minimum, you’ll need to know: 

  • Laws on shipping wine for the U.S. state you’re shipping from and the state or country where your wine is going. These vary widely. Many states, for example, allow wineries to ship directly to consumers, but retailers are often prohibited from doing this. 

  • The specific regulations your chosen carrier (such as UPS or FedEx) imposes on wine shipping.

  • Laws on duties or taxes that you must pay when shipping wine.

  • Relevant international laws if shipping to another country.


2. Use padded wrapping and void fill materials.


You want to keep your wine as close to immobile as possible when it’s in transit. The less it can move, the lower the chances are of it being damaged. Look into the many great shipping materials available for packaging wine for shipment, including: 

By selecting the right packaging and void fill materials, you’ll help ensure that your wine gets there safe and unbroken. 

box of wine

 

3. Springing for custom boxes can be worth it. 


If you’re a producer or distributor who ships wine in bulk, custom corrugated shipping boxes are a great option. Ordering your own custom-made boxes allows you to get the exact boxes you want, tailored to your specifications. This may be a necessity if you ship wine that’s packaged in unusually tall or large bottles. 

Air Sea Containers offers custom shipping boxes because we know that our customers demand the best packaging for their wines. We accept minimum orders as small as 50 units for non-hazmat boxes and fast lead times, so be sure to check out our many options available, including boxes with custom printing. 

4. Know the best practices for the wine you’re shipping. 


It’s also essential to consider the specific requirements of the wine. As any dedicated wine drinker knows, many wines have night-and-day differences from each other, and these can also extend to how a wine is shipped. 

Most wines, for example, should be shipped standing up to reduce the risk of leaks. However, older wines have often spent a long time lying on their sides, and it’s best to keep them like this during shipment to minimize the disturbance. 

Meanwhile, some wines may be more sensitive to temperature or light than others. Sparkling wines often have more exposed cork and may require more careful handling. Some wines (particularly whites) need to be kept at cooler temperatures, so consider Air Sea’s reusable and non-toxic refrigerant gel packs. The bottom line: Know your wine, know its features and consider how they’ll impact how you ship it. 

5. Don’t forget your labeling. 


It’s also important to remember to label your wine properly. One of the simplest but most important tips that some shippers forget? Use “Fragile” labels on your wine to ensure that handlers know to treat it with extra care, temperature labels to indicate whether it needs to be refrigerated or directional labels to show the correct way to store it. Meanwhile, many carriers, such as UPS, require a special label to be affixed to any package containing alcoholic beverages. 

wine bottles in a cardboard box

It’s easier than ever to enjoy and sell an amazing variety of wines from around the U.S. and the world—but you have to know how to ship them properly to preserve their integrity and character. To find out more about our wine shipping options, call Air Sea Containers at (866) 596-9448 or contact us online for a free quote. 

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