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Bringing case(s) of wine from Germany to Washington

How would one go about bringing back a case or two of wine from Germany to Seattle? We are not looking to fly/travel home with it, but rather ship it home.

I know Washington has weird liquor laws and I was told by the liquor control board that I cannot ship them home to myself, even if it was to a wine store.

Anyone have any advice? I have people in Oregon, Idaho and Montana that could receive the cases if need be.

Thanks!

Posted by
9099 posts

UPS, FedEx, and DHL will not ship liquor. Having said that, it's hard for them to enforce the policy. If you were able to disguise the cases as something else, you might be able to get away with it.

Posted by
27 posts

we brought back a case last week from italy. The enoteca wrapped the bottles in bubble wrap and put them in a styrofoam case and put that in a cardboard box. We checked the box with our other luggage at the airport. When we got to the us we had to go to a special customs counter since we were over the limit of 2 bottles each. We were willing to pay the $1.50 duty per bottle but they just let us go without having to pay the duty.

Posted by
7453 posts

I would second Cynthias advice, get them to give you packing materials and check the wine. In addition to State laws, customs is a little more complicated with shipment. Make sure you declare your wine, and likely you will pay no duty.

Posted by
349 posts

I have brought back many (single)cases with me which is the only way BA used to allow 70 pounds X 2 and I believe still does for the time being . This is a special shipping case not just case from store . but most wineries haved this kind of case

Posted by
349 posts

I have only been asked to pay Wa. extra duty once most German planes go through customs in other then Wa state.