How can drinks brands send alcohol samples internationally while minimizing shipping costs and avoiding excise duty charges?

Excise duty typically applies to alcohol samples regardless of their purpose, so the focus is on minimizing total logistics costs rather than eliminating duty entirely.

Members' approach:

- **Avoid courier services** — Members reported that using standard couriers increases costs due to goods being held or additional handling fees. Instead, direct shipping methods keep the total cost per sample to around £20 maximum for international destinations, regardless of geography. - **Direct-to-customer shipping** — Rather than using intermediaries, sending samples directly to the recipient has proven reliable; one member reported zero problems over five years using this method.

The key is simplicity: the community's tested approach focuses on direct, straightforward shipping routes rather than complex logistics infrastructure. One member emphasized the method is "actually very simple and effective."

Note: Members acknowledge excise duty will be charged; the cost optimization is about courier selection and shipping methodology, not duty avoidance.