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 customs brokers and freight agents do members recommend for UK imports and international distribution?
For customs clearance and freight handling, members consistently recommend a small number of trusted providers: - **Supply Chain 21** — Multiple members have used them and praised their service; several independent recommendations suggest they're a reliable first choice. - **GB Custom Clearance** — Recommended as an alternative to Supply Chain 21; members use them for customs work. - **ACP Freight Sea** — Also recommended for freight services. - **Delamode Logistics (Braintree)** — A member actively uses them and is willing to make introductions; they may be open to negotiating rates if the group brings volume together. For bonded storage and pick-and-pack delivery (non-ACL), one member shared specific rates from their current provider: - Pallet storage: £3.66 per week - Pick & pack (first case): £1.45 - Pick & pack (additional cases): £1.21 per case - Overnight delivery: £4.78 per parcel (economical for multi-case orders as 4 cases fit in one outer box) - DPD 24-hour option also available One member flagged that **SKU.co.uk** pricing seems high compared to alternatives, so it's worth comparing quotes. A note of caution: Members suggested that negotiating rates collectively could be worthwhile if sufficient volume is committed.
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.