Last year I purchased a case of wine in Verona at a wine store and they shipped it to me in the states. I only purchased wines I cannot get here. It seemed widely available to do so in Italy. Is this readily available to do so in Paris and/or other regions in France?
Thank you.
It is possible, but with the new tariffs, who knows what will happen?
Indeed you will probably need to wait and see on this whether the winemaker or wine seller you are visiting is still bothering with shipping to the United States by the time of your visit
Contrary to what some people are lead to believe, it’s those who import the goods that have to pay the tariffs not those who send the goods. So if the OP buys a case of wine that costs $100, they’ll have to pay $120. $100 to the wine producer and $ 20 import duties to the US customs. Plus shipping costs of course.
So as far as the wine producer goes nothing changes. The only thing is that their products become more expensive for Americans.
As stated above, the individual receiving the shipment will pay Customs on arrival in the USA. Provided the shipment isn't denied.
Still, you can apply to receive a refund of the VAT from the State Gov't (France, Germany, etc.) which will refund 17-19% of the purchase price, and the Customs value should reflect that. My experience is that it's the shipping costs that add the most to anything of low or moderate value.
For the wine producer what happens is that as their product becomes more and more expensive for Americans, their ability to make sales decreases (as American clients stop buying some wines because they become too expensive), the winemaker's profitability decreases, and in turn perhaps they have to lay some employees off (or make other tough business decisions) because they can't make payroll or pay certain suppliers or whatever.
Those results are obviously probably a little further away than the visit of someone who is coming in a few weeks, but the likelihood is that these types of consequences will hit at least some producers in the next few months / years.
I understand the tariff issues and I'll decide if I even want to when the time comes - this fall. I'm just asking if there are wine shops or businesses that do this? It was offered in many wine shops in Italy and I'm wondering about the ability to do so in France (French laws).
Yes, many vineyards that deal with tastings and sell direct will arrange shipping as well. The little shop in the village that sells wine? That may be hit or miss. The main criteria is the extent that they deal with tourists. Sounds like you were successful before, so likely your State allows, but that is the other wildcard, some states will not allow alcohol shipments, and the various vineyards and shops can not track the various laws of 50 states and several more territories.
I'm just asking if there are wine shops or businesses that do this? It was offered in many wine shops in Italy and I'm wondering about the ability to do so in France (French laws).
Once you've bought the wine in the store, France has no more to do with you. You're free to drink or take abroad whatever you've purchased. Whether one can secure relief from the VAT one pays in the store is another matter; my past experience is that the juice may not be worth the squeeze. I anticipate purchasing a case or so of French wine and carrying it back to California in checked luggage. Total value is likely to be about 1,000 euros.
So far, for personal use, all I see is that we'll be responsible to the US government for about $1.75 per liter for quantities in excess of 2 liters (there's a duty free allowance of 1 liter apiece). So for 12 bottles at 0.75 liters apiece, we'll have to pay duty on 7 liters, or about $12. I've researched ttb.gov and can't find any additional fees we'd have to pay.
We're finding that the cost for wine shipped from France to the US is about $200 for the first case, and about $75 for each additional case. That of course differs from shop to shop. At those prices one had better be buying some pretty good stuff that's unavailable in the US. Older vintages (say 2018 and earlier) of Grand Cru Bordeaux qualify. The benefit of shipping from the retailer is that the VAT comes off the purchase price right away (at least it should).
I should note that we live in California. Other states have different laws that can change the economics or even prevent bringing the wines in legally at all.
The tariff talk is ... nvm. The reason a lot of distributors, shops, etc, will ship anyplace in the world other than the US is because every state has different laws. A case? A bit much. 6 bottles are easy to pack in a cheap hard sided asian mkt bag you buy your last day in France. Bring some bubble pack wine bottle sleeves with you (Amazon). I've done this a few times. Just declare it when you pass customs. Odds are they wony charge you ... too much paperwork.
Please think twice before you pack wine in your luggage, if (when?) it leaks it will ruin all the suitcases for several meters nearby.
For that matter, please don't ever pack ANYTHING in glass in your checked bags (esp. perfume).
Naaaa, never happens.
@ kk
Another Alternative.
Last year flew Melbourne via Shanghai with China Eastern. New 767.
In front of me two Chinese gentlemen loaded a case (12 bottles) each of Penfolds Grange Hermitage Shiraz @ around 6-7k AUD a case, as hold luggage. Fragile stickers plastered on the cases by the check-in official. Business Class. Due to a faulty tray table, the cabin manger moved me to first the class seat in front of them. After dinner knelt in the isle adjacent to them and had a chat about this and that. Exchanged business cards. One had also gone to University of London for his masters, different discipline.
I expressed my surprise at placing the valuable wine in the hold. Assured me that they had done it on a number of occasions and had yet to have a failure.
Have not tried myself. I suspect need to read the fine print on your insurance and airline conditions. I speculate that most of all would depend on your personal confidence in your airline of choice and its workforce. Not sure if class of travel has any impact.
Regards Ron
In my experience, most wineries and merchants will ship to the United States. I am not sure if the tariffs will have an impact or not. You are buying the wine there, I think you will be ok.
my son used to bring back a case packed in special packaging for this purpose as hold luggage when he flew. It was by far the cheapest way to transport it. He was never asked to pay duty on it; he always declared it. Back in the day customs didn't usually want to mess with minor things like this. Now, who knows. He never had a bottle break. We don't plan to bring wine back but occasionally end up with a bottle we don't want to just leave behind and put it in a suitcase. I have never had one break. Wine bottles are really very sturdy. On the other hand, beer not so much. My son's girlfriend years ago brought a couple of specialty limbic beers back for him which did break and saturated all her clothing which was a real bummer.
