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 the best hauliers and logistics providers for exporting pallets and containers from the UK to Europe, Australia, and beyond?
Members recommend a handful of specialist providers with proven track records on specific routes. **Europe (Germany & Switzerland):** - **Supplychain21** — frequently recommended with direct contact: richard.jones@supplychain21.com. Multiple members have used them successfully for pallets to Germany and Switzerland. Note: one member reported that prices have risen significantly this year and reliability has declined (recent shipments heavily delayed); another mentioned they quoted better pricing and shorter transit times than Supplychain21. - **Albatrans** — mentioned as an alternative option for European routes. - **Kerry Logistics** — suggested as another option for Europe. - **Hillebrand** — flagged as very expensive; members advise avoiding if possible as it pushes up landed costs. DHL has recently acquired Hillebrand. - **Wineflow** — quoted better prices and shorter transit times than Supplychain21 for some shipments, though was not accepting new business at the time of discussion (may have changed). - **DSV** — used successfully for a pallet to Germany at around £300, but does not ship alcohol. **Australia:** - Members have arranged groupage shipments with **Tudor Rose**. Contact: Louis can provide introductions and group shipments with other brands (Pinkster mentioned). **Container export (20ft):** - **Supplychain21** — members sense-check quotes against them. - **Uni Express** — recommended as an alternative. - **Wineflow** — noted as normally cheaper than Supplychain21 for container freight. **Caveats:** Members note that European pricing and reliability have become unpredictable (Supplychain21 in particular has faced delays). Always get multiple quotes and consider groupage to reduce costs.
What logistics providers should we use to ship drink samples to Europe?
For small sample shipments (2–3 bottles), members recommend using standard couriers like **DHL**, though be aware that customs delays and rejections can occur even with established carriers—one member experienced a case to Mallorca being held up and ultimately rejected via DHL. For larger sample shipments, members recommend **Kukla Spedition**, a specialist freight forwarder. Contact Tom Wood at **t.wood@kukla-spedition.com** to discuss your shipment requirements. Alternatively, if you're sending just a single bottle or very small quantities, some members use **Master of Malt** as an intermediary to handle the logistics and avoid organizing it yourself. **Caveat:** Even established couriers can face customs issues on sample shipments to Europe, so allow extra time and be prepared for potential delays or rejection.
What logistics providers work best for shipping alcohol samples to Europe after Brexit?
Members report that **DHL** has been reliable for small-volume sample shipments to Europe post-Brexit. DHL handles import tax administration and adds the cost to your courier account; you then pay the combined fee. The service has also worked smoothly for samples to other regions like Hong Kong. Key advantages noted: - DHL manages customs and tax documentation - Costs are consolidated on your account for easy tracking - Suitable for small sample volumes
When importing products from Europe, how do customs brokers work and when are they required?
Customs brokers are sometimes required by customs authorities when importing goods from Europe, particularly for certain product types. One member's first experience importing ginger juice from the Netherlands was flagged by customs as requiring a broker declaration. **When required:** - Customs may ask you to declare a customs broker on your shipment, even if you haven't needed one previously. **Service providers:** - **3MD Logistics** — member used them for last-minute customs brokerage. They responded very quickly but at a significant cost, so budget accordingly. **Caveat:** Members have had scant exposure to customs brokers overall. The specific triggers for when brokers are mandatory versus optional are unclear from community experience; it may depend on product type, shipment value, or route. Recommend contacting potential brokers early rather than at the last minute to avoid premium pricing.