How can you ship liquor overseas?

Spirits, as one of the oldest forms of alcohol, have a long and rich history. The diverse range of spirits available on the market today are evidence of this strong cultural foundation. If you’ve discovered a unique distillery or liquor you love, perhaps while travelling abroad, then you probably want to know how you can bring it home with you, or add it to your collection. 

The way in which liquor is moved around the world has changed significantly from the early days of liquor to today. Even in the last few decades, liquor shipping has changed dramatically. The high alcohol by volume (ABV) of spirits, compared to other alcoholic beverages like wine, also influences how liquor is handled and stored during shipping. So how can you ship liquor home in today’s modern market?

What are the trends in the spirits market? 

Globally, the terms spirits and liquor are often used interchangeably, although some governments have specific criteria that define spirits, liquors and liqueurs by their ABV. The spirits market is experiencing substantial growth and is projected to reach approximately $487 billion by 2028, reflecting growing international demand for premium liquor. The spirits and liquor market is divided into 8 segments, which include whisky, tequila, rum, vodka, and others. 

Globally, the market for spirits varies by country. The top countries for spirit exports by market share in 2023 included the United Kingdom, Mexico and France. The top three biggest importers by volume of spirits in 2023 were the USA, Germany and Japan.

What are the major trade routes for liquor shipments? 

Spirits producers ship large amounts of liquor around the world. Here are the top 5 tradelanes in 2023 according to S&P IHS Markit used for shipments of spirits: 

1. Mexico-USA
2. Canada-USA
3. United Kingdom-USA
4. United Kingdom-France
5. France-USA

Why might you want to ship liquor?

There are many reasons to ship liquor, including: 

1. Collection: Spirits collectors buy and sell liquor from auction houses, which then needs to be shipped to its destination. We offer services for private collectors with our Fine and Rare shipping service. 
2. Trade: distillers may want to export unique, locally produced spirits to countries where they are sought after. This includes beverages like Scotch whisky, vodka, bourbon, cognac and Mexican tequila. Shipping them facilitates international trade. 
3. Travel and personal enjoyment: Tourists may purchase liquor while on vacation if they visit a distillery, as gifts or souvenirs, and then need to be able to get it home. Our eShipping services makes it easy for distilleries and spirits producers to offer a shipping service to their visitors who have made a special purchase.

What kinds of container can you ship liquor in? 

If you are shipping spirits for trading or as a business, you can ship liquor in many types of containers, from dry containers to insulated units. It’s important to understand the different types of containers and their uses to make an informed decision on which one is best for you. The containers commonly used to ship liquor are:

• Dry Container: this is a standard shipping container. It is available worldwide in 20 ft, 40 ft and High Cube sizes.
• Insulated Container: incorporating a liner into a dry container helps to protect against humidity and container rain.

You will also need to choose what type of shipping service to use:

1. Full Container Load (FCL): FCL shipping is when you reserve an entire container for your shipment. It’s therefore most appropriate for when you want to ship liquor in large quantities. A standard 20ft container can fit 20 pallets, so if you are shipping 20 pallets of liquor or more, FCL could be a good option. 
2. Less than Container Load (LCL): If you only want to send a single case, or a few pallet loads, then LCL shipping can be the simple and cost effective option. Shipping your liquor with an LCL shipping service means you will share a container with other shippers, which keeps costs low. To protect your spirits from cross contamination, when you ship liquor with Hillebrand Gori, your shipment will only be consolidated with other wine, beer or spirits shipments. 

What kinds of packaging can you ship liquor in? 

Spirits and other liquors must be packaged and handled correctly to help them arrive safely and in optimal condition. Here are some common methods:

1. Bottles: Traditionally, spirits are bottled and then packed in cases and pallets for delivery. This is still the most common way to ship liquor today in many places, but there are other options. 
2. ISO tanks: ISO tanks are a safe way to ship spirits in bulk. An ISO tank is a durable, reusable shipping container designed to transport large volumes of hazardous liquids. 

If you’re shipping directly from the distillery, they may be able to help package your shipment correctly. Alternatively, when you organize your shipment with us, we can help you find the right packaging solution to help keep your investment safe.

When you need to get liquor to your country, rely on our spirits logistics expertise 

Bringing spirits and liquor to your destination of choice requires intricate planning, and an expert understanding of high ABV compliance and regulations. Our priority is helping to get your spirits to their destination in their best condition. We handle all of the details of transporting distilled beverages, as well as their ingredients and packaging, so you can focus on enjoying your new liquor discoveries. Get in touch with your nearest office for expert advice on your liquor shipment.

Reviewed by Hillebrand Gori