UPS: Shipping Wine

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UPS Wine Program
UPS provides wine shipping services for approved customers who are licensed to ship wine. Select the links below to learn more about our program.

Permissible Shipments
All wine shippers must enter into a UPS Agreement for Approved Wine Shippers.

All wine shippers must be licensed and authorized to ship according to the applicable federal or state laws and regulations of the origin and destination states. UPS does not accept shipments containing wine to or from Massachusetts.

Important Updates
Effective July 1, 2011:

Maryland and New Mexico are now Direct Shipment destination states from all permitted origins. UPS does not accept wine shipments to the following towns in New Hampshire: Ellsworth, Millsfield, Monroe, and Sharon.

Who Can Ship Wine

Permissible Shipments

UPS Requirements

Quantum View Notify

Hold for Pickup

Wine Contract Addendum A - UPS Origin and Destination States for Wine Shipments

Who Can Ship Wine

Who can ship wine via UPS services?
UPS only accepts packages containing wine from shippers who are licensed under applicable law and who have signed and entered into a contract with UPS for the transportation of wine. Note: UPS provides service for other alcoholic beverages (beer and alcohol) on a contract basis only. For shipments containing beer or alcohol, shippers must enter into an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of beer or alcohol as applicable, must be licensed and authorized under applicable law to ship beer and alcohol, and may ship only to licensed consignees. 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.

Permissible Shipments

UPS permits the following types of wine shipments:

Licensed to Licensed
Shipments of wine from licensed shippers located in an origin state may be shipped to a licensed consignee in a destination state as set forth in Addendum A to the UPS Agreement for Approved Wine Shippers (set forth below). Refer to Addendum A of the UPS Agreement for Approved Wine Shippers for approved licensed to licensed origin and destination states.

On-Site Purchase
Shipments of wine from licensed wineries located in an origin state may be shipped to purchasers in a destination state provided the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) the wine was purchased while the purchaser was physically present at the winery

(b) the purchaser of the wine provided the winery verification of legal age to purchase the wine

(c) the wine is for personal use only and not for resale

(d) the purchaser could have lawfully personally transported the wine into the destination state

(e) the purchaser is the consignee

Refer to Addendum A of the UPS Agreement for Approved Wine Shippers for approved on-site purchase origin and destination states.

Licensed to Consumer (Direct Shipment)
Shipments of wine from licensed shippers located in an origin state may be shipped to consignees in a destination state as set forth in Addendum A to the UPS Agreement for Approved Wine Shippers. Refer to Addendum A of the UPS Wine Agreement for approved direct shipment origin and destination states.

UPS Requirements

What are the requirements for licensed entities to ship wine via UPS?
Contractual Service Only All shippers who wish to ship wine must enter into either the UPS Agreement for Approved Wine Shippers, or the UPS Wine Industry Fulfillment House Agreement For Approved Wine Shippers. UPS DOES NOT ACCEPT SHIPMENTS OF WINE FROM SHIPPERS WHO HAVE NOT ENTERED INTO ONE OF THESE AGREEMENTS. Shipping Solution Requirements The shipper must process the wine shipment with a UPS Compatible Shipping solution such as WorldShip or any approved third-party vendor system.

Package Preparation
Packaging Requirements All shipments must meet UPS packaging requirements for wine. UPS will accept 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 side walls of the shipper. Sturdy outer corrugated containers are required. Learn More About Packaging Bottled Wine Delivery Confirmation Adult Signature Required All wine shipments shall be shipped using the UPS Delivery Confirmation Adult Signature Required service requesting an adult signature upon delivery. Learn how UPS Quantum View Notify enhances your Delivery Confirmation Adult Signature Required residential wine shipments. Wine Shipping Label Requirement All packages containing wine must be labeled by the shipper with a special UPS alcoholic beverages shipping label in addition to any other labeling that may be required by the origin or destination state.

Quantum View Notify

UPS recommends that wine shippers use Quantum View Notify^® for Delivery Confirmation Adult Signature Required wine shipments. UPS sends a shipment notification email to the recipient informing them when the wine shipment will be delivered so that an adult at least 21 years of age can be available to complete the delivery. Quantum View Notify is provided at no additional charge.

Hold for Pickup

Approved wine shippers may use the UPS Hold for Pickup (HFPU) service for consumers who would prefer to pickup their wine shipments from a UPS Customer Center location. When picking up the package, the recipient is required to present a government-issued photo ID, such as driver's license, passport, military ID, permanent resident card, or alien registration card to verify that the recipient is 21 years of age or older. If the recipient fails or refuses to present proper identification (or is not 21 years of age or older), the wine shipment is considered undeliverable and returned to the shipper.

Wine Contract Addendum A - UPS Origin and Destination States for Wine Shipments

Which states can I ship to under the UPS Wine Program?
Addendum A to the UPS Agreement for Approved Wine Shippers identifies where UPS accepts shipments of wine from licensed shippers to consumers ("Direct Shipment"), from licensed shippers to licensed receivers ("Licensed Consignees"), and from licensed wineries to on-site purchasers ("On-Site Purchase"). The Wine Contract Addendum A is effective as of the "revised" date noted on the Addendum, and applies only to shippers who have entered into a UPS Agreement for Approved Wine Shippers. It is the shipper's responsibility to ensure that its shipments comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the origin and destination states, and that the consignee is authorized to receive the shipment.

View Wine Contract Addendum A

NOTE:
STATE LAWS OF ORIGIN AND DESTINATION STATES MAY ALSO IMPOSE QUANTITY LIMITS, REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, LICENSING OBLIGATIONS, LIMITS ON FREQUENCY OF SHIPMENTS, AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS AND MAY PROHIBIT SHIPMENTS TO CERTAIN AREAS WITHIN A STATE (SUCH AS DRY OR DAMP JURISDICTIONS).