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.
Which courier services will ship alcohol to EU countries, and what do we need to do to set them up?
Finding reliable courier services for alcohol shipments to the EU is inconsistent—experiences vary widely even with the same provider. **FedEx** is the most commonly recommended option, but you must set up an alcohol shipping profile with them first before attempting shipments; members report good success once this is in place, though others have experienced returns. **DPD** has been mentioned as a potential alternative, though at least one member reports their alcohol shipments were suspended by DPD. Smaller sample sizes (50cl bottles at 16% ABV) may be easier to place than larger volumes. Expect to encounter rejections and returns even with established couriers—the EU alcohol logistics market remains fragmented post-Brexit, and carrier policies change frequently. Set up your shipping profile and test with a small shipment before committing to larger orders.
What are the best logistics providers for shipping alcohol internationally to EU destinations like Monaco?
Members have used a small number of tried providers for EU alcohol shipments. For smaller quantities, **Royal Mail** (posting from the UK as a gift, single bottles) and **Royal Mail from Jersey** (duty paid) have both worked. For larger volumes from UK bonded stock, **Seabrooke** has been used successfully. Members also recommend reaching out directly to the community—one member offered direct assistance via rdarfi@rivieradrinks.co.uk for bespoke logistics support. The key variables are shipment size and whether stock is bonded; members suggest clarifying your volume requirements before selecting a provider.