| In our continuing effort to provide online wine | | | | shipping service to mail the wine. A purchase is |
| consumer education, included in this segment is a | | | | recognized when they charge your credit card in |
| break down of different wine shipping state | | | | store, which is prior to the item being packaged |
| classifications. We also have included wine delivery | | | | and shipped. This allows them to pass title and |
| tips to ensure your bottle arrives as if it came | | | | ownership of the wine to the purchaser in the |
| right from the warehouse. | | | | retailer's state. Using these terms allows them to |
| Buying Wine Online - State Shipping Laws and | | | | bend the current wine shipment laws, by |
| Delivery | | | | attempting to release themselves from any |
| Reciprocal States: Forming strategic alliances, | | | | association to the goods once title is transferred |
| many states now allow incoming and outgoing | | | | and they are in the courier's hands. |
| wine shipments to consumers from member | | | | Please note however that not all sites are worded |
| states. Bills passed in these states ensure that | | | | like this. Some retailers adhere to the strictest |
| consumers and retailers can ship between their | | | | shipping and sales standards. Using a service such |
| borders for the common benefit. | | | | as this makes the good transferable upon receipt |
| States that form this reciprocal agreement include: | | | | at your location. For example Wine.com, |
| California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, | | | | recognizes the legal transfer of goods once you |
| Missouri, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, | | | | sign and accept the package. They handle any |
| Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. | | | | courier discrepancies or insurance claims directly. |
| Limited States: These states can receive incoming | | | | Shopping through their site may limit your range |
| wine shipments, but are still under regulation. | | | | of shipping options and product availability to your |
| Common limits include a maximum quantity | | | | area, but they maintain policies to keep in |
| allowed and the exercise of extended taxation. | | | | accordance with local laws. |
| States with limited wine shipment include: Alaska, | | | | We have compiled a list of authorized online |
| Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, | | | | retailers and the states they will ship to at |
| New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, | | | | Common carriers that ship most online wine |
| Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington | | | | orders are FedEx, UPS and DHL. By law, alcohol |
| D.C., and Wyoming. | | | | cannot be shipped to PO Boxes nor APO/FPO |
| Prohibited States: These states may require a | | | | Addresses. Standard practice for these authorized |
| special license for receiving wine deliveries. | | | | shipping companies is to require and adult over |
| Depending on the state laws, receiving wine from | | | | the age of 21 to sign for the package with photo |
| carriers may be deemed a misdemeanor or a | | | | ID required. Couriers will not leave packages |
| felony if note a special permit holder. | | | | unattended at your location for any reason. |
| These states include: Alabama, Arkansas, | | | | Package comments such as "leave at front door" |
| Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, | | | | will be ignored as these couriers are specially |
| Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New | | | | trained to handle alcohol deliveries. |
| Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, | | | | Aside from age and signature verification, the |
| Tennessee, and Utah. | | | | shipping process is the same as with common |
| International: Using air freight shipping, many | | | | goods. In the process, as with UPS and FedEx |
| stores now offer international shipping. The most | | | | standards, your courier will provide three (3) |
| common and compatible international destination is | | | | separate delivery attempts on consecutive days. |
| Japan. | | | | After this time, packages are held at your local |
| But I live in one of these states and these laws | | | | distribution plant while the courier will research its |
| haven't affected me? | | | | status with the sender or receiver. |
| As with any relatively new industry, retailers are | | | | On day five (5) the package will be marked as |
| finding ways to effectively skate around the law. | | | | 'Undeliverable.' This means the shipment will be |
| By utilizing middlemen and coming to warehousing | | | | returned to sender. Upon return, most retailers will |
| agreements, retailers are finding new streams to | | | | pass the return shipping expense to your credit |
| get your order to your door the safest way | | | | card on file as is customary in most online |
| possible. Utilizing multiple warehouses in multiple | | | | ordering policies. |
| states provides the retailer the option to accept | | | | Don't fret there are ways to avoid this route. |
| more orders and comply with differing state | | | | 1. Try having the packaged shipped to your |
| legislations. Even though you order from a store in | | | | business or another residential location where |
| Pennsylvania, your product could be shipped from | | | | someone over 21 can receive the package. |
| a partner or subsidiary warehouse in California to | | | | 2. Use the online tracking tools available by your |
| comply with laws. | | | | courier. These can help you make sure someone |
| Third party logistic companies are a growing trend | | | | is available to receive the on the date estimated |
| to satisfy the markets shipping needs. A prime | | | | by your provider. |
| example is New Vine Logistics who can legally ship | | | | 3. Go express! Express delivery services can |
| wine to 43 states. | | | | guarantee what day the item will be at your door. |
| Another reason to the lack of uniformed shipping | | | | Specialty services can even guarantee a time |
| policies on retail sites is the means in which they | | | | frame at which they will arrive. |
| transfer ownership. The most common phrasing | | | | 4. Even though a delivery attempt failed, most |
| seen on most retailers Terms & Conditions is | | | | packages are sent back to the distribution center |
| similar to: | | | | in the early evening. |
| Title to, and ownership of, all wine purchased on | | | | These locations can be found on the shippers |
| this site passes from 'retailer' to the 'purchaser' in | | | | website and most are open and staffed until later |
| the state of 'retailer's state.' The purchaser takes | | | | in the evening. They welcome walk-ins, but make |
| all responsibility for shipping the purchased wine | | | | sure you bring the tracking number and any |
| from 'retailer's state' to his/her home state. By | | | | documentation left by the courier at your door. |
| arranging for transportation of the wine, 'retailer' is | | | | Many sites offer more than wine, such as |
| providing a service to, and acting on behalf of the | | | | stemware, accessories and gift baskets. Any |
| 'purchaser.' By using transportation services from | | | | shipment that contains wine adheres to these |
| 'retailer,' the purchaser is representing that he/she | | | | shipping policies; however, other items can be |
| is acting in a fashion compliant with his/her local | | | | shipped to virtually any location. |
| and state laws regarding the purchase, shipping | | | | Buying wine is similar to any other web purchase. |
| and delivery of wine." | | | | Being an informed consumer will help ensure your |
| This allows them to say they sold the goods to | | | | online shopping experience is fun and secure. |
| you in their home state and helped you arrange a | | | | |