Shipping restriction on liquor bottles

[gegarrenton]

Has anyone else run into this issue yet? Trying to get some Scotch sent over from the UK, but apparently the IACO has implemented new restrictions as of January on shipping alcohol with commercial airliners (which carry a lot of freight).

Frustrating.

 

[mharris127]

Alcohol nowadays has to be shipped on land or water. I think that was mainly put into place so that you would have to buy your booze and cologne in-country -- keeping the B&M liquor stores happy.

 

[greenie]

Yes, although I've never ordered alcohol to drink, but I'm always worried about after shaves and such. Hopefully they'll reverse the policy soon.

 

[CptBlueBear]

Has anyone else run into this issue yet? Trying to get some Scotch sent over from the UK, but apparently the IACO has implemented new restrictions as of January on shipping alcohol with commercial airliners (which carry a lot of freight).

Frustrating.

Hmmm, I had a carton arrive today. The only unusual thing was cleared through customs by Fedex rather than Aussie Post (so I got pinged for duty, mutter mutter). Do you have a reference for this 'cause I'd be interested to see what the change is.

Alcohol nowadays has to be shipped on land or water. I think that was mainly put into place so that you would have to buy your booze and cologne in-country -- keeping the B&M liquor stores happy.

That's only the US carriers, mate. The rest of the world aren't worried that a bottle of Remy Martin or YSL is going to spontaneously combust.

 

[gegarrenton]

Alcohol nowadays has to be shipped on land or water. I think that was mainly put into place so that you would have to buy your booze and cologne in-country -- keeping the B&M liquor stores happy.

No, actually it's a ICAO reg that just came into effect that regulate the percentage of alcohol carried in airliners, it's not a country by country thing. The people I have talk to hope to have it resolved by the summer.

Hmmm, I had a carton arrive today. The only unusual thing was cleared through customs by Fedex rather than Aussie Post (so I got pinged for duty, mutter mutter). Do you have a reference for this 'cause I'd be interested to see what the change is.



That's only the US carriers, mate. The rest of the world aren't worried that a bottle of Remy Martin or YSL is going to spontaneously combust.

No, like I said, it's all carriers. That's why your bottle came FedEx.

 

[greenie]

I've got to admit, this restriction is turning out to be quite a menace. I just missed an opportunity to have a Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet special set, which included 100ml Penhaligon's BB EdT 100ml, a separate atomizer (in a leather case) and a nice Penhaligon's gift box - for $60 (or 40 pounds, I was looking to ordering it from the UK).

 

[CptBlueBear]

No, actually it's a ICAO reg that just came into effect that regulate the percentage of alcohol carried in airliners, it's not a country by country thing. The people I have talk to hope to have it resolved by the summer.



No, like I said, it's all carriers. That's why your bottle came FedEx.

You missed the quote I was replying to, Graham, about alcohol having to go by land or sea. That's a different issue and one I have only encountered shipping out of the US. US vendors will claim its an ICAO regulation even when you point them at the actual text. Everywhere else they are quite happy to ship by air. Aussie Post even sell boxes specifically for the purpose.

The ICAO rules have always restricted the volume and packing of alcohol, the concentration thing is new, as you said. Rather than helping out the local importers, I'm more inclined to think its the dedicated cargo lines that are the beneficiaries - I know the airlines have been cutting into their market by carrying freight.

I hope your contacts do get it sorted out 'cause my last shipment from The Whisky Exchange cost me an extra $230. Fedex here have their own customs agents and charge to do clearances. As a result, they will try to collect on every package they can. Even when there is no duty payable they will regularly try it on. Aussie Post on the other hand will pass nine out of ten packages without even seeming to read the the declaration and will underestimate the tenth one if it's at all complex (which spirits are here - much easier to pretend it's wine which is taxed at lower rate). No one here wants Fedex touching their inbound freight...

 

[gegarrenton]

Partly yes and partly no. I saw what you were replying to, and it's not a US issue. It's worldwide. I am actually trying to get stuff out of the UK at the moment. The IACO concentration is the new part as you say, and consequently, airlines can't carry it anymore. The result is a lot of distributors aren't shipping period now because the cost to use FedEx and UPS and DHL are so much more, as you see with your shipment!

I think you are spot on that the cargo companies are the big winners as well.

 

[CptBlueBear]

Partly yes and partly no. I saw what you were replying to, and it's not a US issue. It's worldwide.

I don't think you did see what I was replying to: that was a comment that products containing alcohol must be shipped by land or sea and cannot be shipped by air. I have a pile of con notes to prove this is not the case.

Not that this particular point has any relevance to the main topic!

Actually, I wouldn't mind if it did go sea freight. I'm old enough to remember when anything that wasn't actually urgent did. At least it would be cheap.

I am actually trying to get stuff out of the UK at the moment. The IACO concentration is the new part as you say, and consequently, airlines can't carry it anymore. The result is a lot of distributors aren't shipping period now because the cost to use FedEx and UPS and DHL are so much more, as you see with your shipment!

The Whisky Exchange confirmed that this change is a direct result of freight rule changes but blamed the local authorities in the UK and a tightening of classifications. Here is the relevant bit of the email I received this evening:

Unfortunately, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Department for Transport
(DfT) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have agreed new rules
with Parcelforce Worldwide and Royal Mail Group that prohibits sending
alcohol internationally. These new rules came into effect as of Mon 14th Jan
2013.
In turn, we had to change the carrier that we use for International
shipments to FedEx as Parcelforce can only handle the shipments locally to a
UK hub, whereby FedEx take over. Parcelforce is classed as a mail carrier
and 'prohibited items' cannot be carried unless a courier is a 'Freight'
carrier.

The changes of the rules has meant that we cannot ship in excess of 5 litres
of alcohol which is between 24% and 70% ABV within one parcel.
FedEx requires each commercial invoice with a lot more detail than
previously with Parcelforce, e.g. type of spirit, name of manufacturer,
reason for purchase and in some cases a Certificate of Age is being
requested...

Holy artificial barriers to protect incumbent carriers, Batman!

I think you are spot on that the cargo companies are the big winners as well.

It occurs to me that the other big winners are governments. For them its a double win: on the one hand it makes it harder for citizens to use of out of jurisdiction vendors to avoid local taxes, on the other it makes local vendors comparatively more attractive. What with the predicted death of traditional retail at the hands of online shopping the latter is a hot button issue here in Aus and in the UK right now. It seems free trade and globalisation are only for the big end of town.

 

[gegarrenton]

I must have not phrased it right (which I do!) re: the above quote. I did see your response, I was replying to the US part of it.

I think you are probably right on the government benefit too. I am not sure it was intentional though, as I'm not sure governments could actually be that forward looking!

 

[Heron]

I can't even get liquor shipped here from another state, let alone another country.