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 regulations and requirements for shipping alcohol samples to the US without an established importer?
Shipping alcohol samples to the US typically triggers requests for a COLA waiver and TTB import permit, though enforcement appears inconsistent. **Key findings from member experience:** - **COLA waiver and TTB import permit** — Usually required by couriers; your US importer would typically handle obtaining these, but enforcement is inconsistent and some members have shipped without being stopped - **Personal luggage** — Several members suggest the practical workaround of carrying samples personally in your suitcase when travelling to the US - **Courier account type** — DHL has indicated that samples *can* be sent without an importer via a specific account type, though details on setup were not discussed; FedEx reportedly offered a similar special US service at one point - **State-by-state variation** — Members noted that requirements may vary by US state and destination; one member sending to Miami faced requests after previous shipments to other companies had not been stopped - **Enforcement appears inconsistent** — The "luck of the draw" comment reflects member experience that some shipments go through without issue while others are flagged, making it hard to predict which will trigger regulatory requests **Caveats:** This is an area where outcomes seem to depend on courier, destination state, and individual account setup. If you're regularly shipping samples, establishing a relationship with a US importer or exploring specialist courier accounts may reduce friction.
Do I need to pay excise duty on product samples taken out of bond for promotional campaigns?
Yes, you must pay excise duty on samples removed from bond regardless of purpose—there is no duty exemption for promotional sampling. Members confirmed the hard rule: **excise duty applies to any stock taken out of bond**, whether it's for sale or sampling. There is no mechanism to claim duty back on samples that aren't sold. Your only duty-suspended options are: - **Export the samples duty-suspended** to avoid paying duty upfront - **Destroy the stock in duty suspension** and make a formal declaration to HMRC If samples remain in the UK for promotional use (e.g. Ocado sampling campaigns, retailer gift boxes), duty must be paid at the point of removal from bond.