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 logistics and fulfillment providers do drinks brands use, and how do they compare?
Members use a range of 3PL and storage providers, with significant variation in service quality and suitability depending on business needs. **Established providers mentioned:** - **LCB** — solid performer with 5+ years of loyalty from members; reliable but expensive; occasional peaks lead to service gaps; portal is clunky and not user-friendly; very few damages reported (5 broken bottles over 5 years); works best for businesses ahead on stock with simple customer bases, struggles with agility and flexibility - **LAW** — currently used by some but members report serious issues: poor comms, delivery mistakes, and stock damage; disputes ongoing - **MCF** — praised as "great"; unclear whether they handle alcohol - **EHD** — described as "really good" - **Diamond Logistics** — strong reputation; noted strengths include reliability; weakness: doesn't integrate with NOTHS system; some members have moved away due to DPD pricing concerns - **We Are Fulfilment** — members report being "very happy" with them - **ShipBob** — shortlisted in recent 3PL tender processes - **Vibe 65** — shortlisted in recent 3PL tender processes - **Huboo** — mentioned as a consideration but no direct experience shared **Key caveats:** LCB can be overwhelmed during peak periods; LAW has communication and handling issues; Diamond's lack of NOTHS integration may be a blocker for some; system integrations and pricing should be verified for your specific needs.
Which bonded warehouses do members recommend for startups, and how do their pricing and service compare?
Members consistently recommend a small number of bonded warehouse providers, with clear preferences based on service quality and pricing. **Key providers members recommend:** - **LAW** — Multiple members strongly prefer LAW over competitors. Stan (a named contact) is highlighted as excellent and responsive. Members report better service and pricing compared to LCB. One member has been with LAW for 7 years. Note: LAW may currently be capacity-constrained and unable to take on new clients. - **LCB** — Available option but members report higher case pricing compared to alternatives like LAW, making it a less competitive choice if cost is a primary concern. - **Europa** — Described as pretty reliable and responsive, though less detail provided on pricing or suitability for startups. **Pricing caveat:** Members note that "pricing is definitely apples and oranges" between providers, so direct quotes are essential. One member warned they're paying "case price which is crazy" with their current provider, suggesting you should negotiate terms carefully. **Service note:** The quality of account management appears variable. Stan at LAW is specifically praised for his knowledge and engagement, suggesting relationship quality matters as much as headline pricing. For scaling startups, members suggest getting direct quotes from LAW, Europa, and potentially LCB, but prioritise LAW as first choice based on this community's experience.
What are the recommended logistics operators and suppliers for international distribution routes?
Members have shared contacts and recommendations for specific international logistics and supplier needs, though availability varies by route and partner capacity. **Logistics & Distribution:** - **FWS** — contact Luke Brown (member of group); handles distribution logistics - **PRODEX** — member reached out for wine freight from Provence to Greece (2 pallets) - **Kukla** — unable to service Provence-to-Greece route; check before committing - For **Abu Dhabi exports**, members indicated interest but no specific operator was named in discussions - For **Mexico**, **India**, and **Nigeria** routes — members asked for recommendations but no confirmed operators were provided in the excerpts **Supplier & Production Partners:** - **Bone Idyll** (contact: sam@boneidyll.co.uk) — offers both liquid production and small can runs (125ml); confirmed capacity for 2000+ cans for cocktails - **Printed Cup Company** (printedcupcompany.com) — fast turnaround (within a month) for custom cup production - **freckl.** and **noissue** — recommended for custom printed packing tape with low MOQs **Caveats:** Several routes (Mexico, India, Nigeria, Abu Dhabi) had members seeking contacts but receiving no substantive recommendations, suggesting these may be underserved within the community network. The Provence-to-Greece shipment was still in-progress at the time of discussion, so capacity confirmation needed.
What are reliable same-day pallet collection services that don't have restrictive morning cut-off times?
Members report that standard pallet networks often have rigid cut-off times (typically 11am–11:30am), making same-day collection difficult outside those windows. Several options were suggested: - **Palletways** — mentioned as a possibility, but requires a phone call and availability depends on your specific depot. One member reported they were unable to help when approached. - **Evo Logistics** (02034357222) — described as "not cheap but have been good when we've needed them," suggesting they may offer more flexible same-day options than mainstream networks. - **Speedshift** — recommended to contact by phone for same-day collection possibilities. - **Shipley.com** — flagged as another option worth exploring. Members noted that genuine same-day flexibility often requires direct phone contact rather than online booking, as availability and cut-off times vary significantly by depot and operator. Costs are likely to be premium for late or non-standard pickups.
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 logistics providers do members recommend for shipping bottled spirits from the UK to Europe?
Members consistently recommend **JS Wines** as a reliable and competitive logistics provider for shipping bottled alcohol from the UK to Europe. Contact Michael Johnson at JS Wines on +44 1394 451070 — he is described as responsive, efficient, and competitively priced. Multiple members have used JS Wines for years with consistently good service and fast turnaround. Members suggest mentioning your referral from the community when contacting them, as this may help establish a good working relationship.
Which UK freight consolidators can help consolidate stock for container shipments to overseas destinations?
For consolidating stock from the UK into full containers for overseas shipment, members recommend: - **Hillebrand** — mentioned as a consolidator capable of handling multi-brand container consolidation to destinations like Guyana. Note: members flagged that Hillebrand can be relatively expensive compared to other options, so worth comparing quotes. The community discussion was limited on alternatives; only one consolidator was named. Members may want to request recommendations for cost-competitive options when seeking quotes.
What are the options for holding spirits stock under bond in Europe without committing to a full distributor relationship?
Members hold stock under bond at independent European bonded warehouses rather than via traditional distributor arrangements. The two main options mentioned are: - **LIS Logistics** (Netherlands) — holds stock under bond for members - **Amsterdam Warehouse Company** (Netherlands) — bonded storage option Members also reference using freight/removal services for similar arrangements: - **Rapid Removals** — used by at least one member for bonded stock movement and storage One member mentioned a logistics app called "tipap" for managing this type of arrangement, though details were limited. This approach appears most common in the Netherlands, and members treat it as a standard route for independent stock holding without requiring a distributor relationship. No specific pricing, lead times, or detailed T&Cs were discussed in the excerpts provided.
Which ecommerce fulfilment partners do members recommend for drinks products?
Members recommend **Haul and Store** as a reliable ecommerce fulfilment partner for drinks. The company handles duty-paid shipments, making them suitable for alcoholic beverages. Members note that introductions can be arranged if needed. Be aware that bonding status should be confirmed directly with the provider.
Which customs agents and logistics providers do members recommend for importing ingredients?
Members have recommended the following specialists for customs clearance and ingredient imports: - **Yes2ship** — A customs agent with an Aberdeen branch. Contact: Alan Hudson, Branch Manager, alan.hudson@yes2ship.com. Members noted he was helpful and described as "a legend." - **High Water** — A logistics provider for soft drinks and other beverages. They attend industry events and are open to new business inquiries. - **Zelmans** — Mentioned as a potential contact, though no direct feedback was provided in the discussion. Members suggest reaching out directly to these providers or asking for introductions at industry events where they exhibit.