Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What are typical cold storage or warehouse storage costs per pallet per week in the Netherlands?
Members report storage costs in the Netherlands range from approximately **€2–4 per pallet per week**, with quotes clustering around **€2**, **€2.50–€3.00 GBP**, and **€4**. One member cited having this data "in front of me" to confirm the range. The variation likely reflects different facility types, locations, and service levels, so it's worth getting quotes from local Dutch logistics providers rather than relying on a single figure.
What are the typical import duties, logistics costs, and practical options for importing glass bottles from European suppliers?
Import duties on glass are minimal—members report tens of pounds per pallet rather than significant tariffs. The major cost driver is transport: a single pallet can cost £450, making full truck loads significantly more cost-effective. Members using postponed import VAT accounting avoid upfront VAT; ask suppliers for proof of country of origin to enable this. **Supplier & logistics options:** - **Estal** — popular choice with good stock availability and fast turnarounds; they're opening a UK depot (timeline vague at time of discussion), but smaller orders may not be included in early shipments. Contact **Jonathan Clark** (jonathanc@continentalbottle.co.uk) who handles UK distribution for Estal and may offer better pricing for smaller quantities than direct ordering. - **IP21** — recommended for European sourcing; generally straightforward to work with (not the quickest) and will direct you to **Davies Turner** for import logistics, who members report are good to work with. - **KC Shipping** — noted as the cheapest and reliable freight option at time of discussion, undercutting other providers by hundreds of pounds; they maintain good stock availability. - **Saver Glass** — one member paid £35 import duty on a pallet. **Caveats:** Estal's textured glass with cold-end coating and embossing can have label adhesion difficulties. One member warned that Estal "don't always stick to agreements even if signed" regarding stock delivery. Berlin Packaging was cited as a cautionary tale for poor-quality glass. For NPD trials with small quantities (e.g., 2 pallets), transport costs become a significant proportion of total spend.
What do UK bond facilities currently charge to remove duty stamps from cases for export?
De-stamping (obliteration of duty stamps) for export is a standard service offered by bonded warehouses. Current market rates reported by members: - **LCB** — £4 per dozen cases - **MSX** (Totton) — £1.30 per case (2020 pricing; likely higher now) - Members reported paying **£2 per physical case of 6** at LCB within the last month, consistent with the £4-per-dozen quote Note: Pricing appears to vary by facility and may have shifted since 2020. It's worth confirming current rates directly with your bonded warehouse, as costs may have increased.
What are typical bonded warehousing and logistics costs in the Netherlands, and how do they compare to UK rates?
Members shared specific rates from a Netherlands provider to help with cost planning. Dutch bonded warehouse charges typically break down as follows: - **Landing charges** — approximately €140 for 20 pallets - **Storage charges** — €1.35 per pallet per week - **Order preparation** — €20 to €80 depending on complexity These figures are from **Lis Logistics** and reflect pricing before a cost increase earlier in the year. Members note that per-pallet costs vary significantly depending on volume and operational complexity, so it's worth getting custom quotes rather than relying on these benchmarks alone. Alternatively, **Toorank** in Zevenaar was mentioned as another option worth exploring for Dutch warehousing.
What are the costs and logistics options for a UK-registered company shipping stock to Monaco?
Shipping small quantities (e.g. 20 cases) from the UK to Monaco as a UK-only registered company is **not recommended** by members due to prohibitive costs. **Cost estimates shared:** - Members reported monthly shipping costs ranging from **$5k to $30k** depending on volume and logistics partner - One member noted costs of **$10k per month** as typical **Recommended alternatives:** - **MPR** — can cover shipments from the UK and is noted as more cost-effective than direct shipping - **La Rue** — logistics consultant specialising in European distribution - **Krupa Consulting** — alternative consultant for Monaco/European logistics Members' consensus: direct shipping to Monaco from the UK for small volumes (20 cases) is prohibitively expensive; using a specialist distributor or logistics consultant is the preferred route. The exact cost depends heavily on shipment size and logistics partner chosen.
What is the typical cost for single bottle fulfillment in the UK?
Members report that single bottle fulfillment in the UK typically costs around **£3 per unit**. This is a baseline figure shared directly by the community. Members with more detailed experience on fulfillment logistics recommend reaching out via direct message for deeper guidance on supplier selection and cost optimization, as fulfillment strategies can vary depending on scale and specific requirements.
What's the best approach for negotiating lower storage and landing fees with logistics providers?
Members' experience suggests getting competitive quotes from alternative providers is the primary lever. When facing fee increases from your current provider, gather quotes from alternatives like **LAW** and **EHD** to establish market rate and create competitive pressure. However, members noted that logistics providers typically operate on very tight margins—one example cited a major provider turning a profit of just £550k on £52m turnover—so there may be limited room for negotiation beyond what the market naturally offers. The strategy is to use alternatives as leverage rather than expecting major concessions from your incumbent provider.