We are in France, travelling next to Poland and then back to Canada. We bought a case of wine we love (6 bottles) assuming we could ship it home to Edmonton, Aberta. But we can't really get clear answers from the web. Can we ship it and how? If anyone knows please advise, we are leaving France in 3 days.
Posted by
Gangelt, Germany
101 posts
Not sure about France, but in Germany, there are vintners that will package and ship your wine. In the US, the wine only ships to the port of entry (i.e. international airport) at which point it is held at customs. You have to go to customs, pay customs, and pick up the wine. The warehouses are not climate controlled, to my knowledge, so you have to time it well. I shipped 110 bottles a few years back and only lost 1 bottle. This is a good option for a shipment that large, but for you I don't recommend it.
Why don't you contact the airline and see how much it costs to put it on your return flight as an 'extra bag' or cargo. I know it's a bit of a hassle to carry to Poland, but you can have the vintner package it for travel.
Posted by
OP
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
3 posts
Thank you both for your advice. If I take the 6 bottles of wine with me to Poland first (we stay 5 nights before going back to Canada) will Polish customs have an issue with it? If you have any thoughts on this please let me know. Thanks again.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
107 posts
The easiest way is to carry it yourself. I do not believe you can use the mail system as I believe Canada Post will not deliver alcohol in Canada. You could try couriers but that may be really expensive.
Also you will need to declare and pay duty and taxes on any alcohol amounts over your allotted exemptions at Customs.
One case should not be a problem but if you are importing more you may need a permit from your provincial liquor authority.
Good Luck.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
I'm afraid the answer has everything to do with your own local regulations. It's easy for a winery to ship the wine. The problem is what your local government restricts for receiving wine.
Despite Steve's always-helpful weblinks to Rick's books (which we should assume you've already consulted) his guidance for the United States has absolutely nothing to do with Canada.
We don't know what Alberta's liquor laws are or what Canadian customs require in duty. What I do know is that the larger wineries maintain lists of the US states where they can and cannot ship wine to. Presumably, they would know about Canadian provinces too. Check with your provincial government about import of wine.
Posted by
Brangwin, Wa, USA
349 posts
You must bring it with you as baggage. as far as USA goes. I have brought back much wine . Once through Canada (Vancouver) one pin head talked of custom brokers ect but finally one custom offical said go in peace open box after you get to Seattle
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2092 posts
Also only relative to US--last year we shipped a case from a winery in Italy. It took 6 weeks and it was delivered by UPS right to our door. We did not have to go to Seattle (6 hours away by car) to pick it up. Could it possibly be because we live in Idaho?
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
This is getting confusing (not because of your answer, Darcy.)
It completely depends on your local laws. In Oregon, mail deliveries of wine are allowed. So I shipped four cases from France and picked them up at the United Airlines freight office. But that's because Oregon allows such deliveries. Alberta might not