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.
Should we use multilingual labelling for EU gift pack distribution, or stick to English?
Members taking the EU gift pack route currently stick to English labelling, even for multiple EU market distribution. However, if full multilingual labelling isn't feasible or cost-effective, the community suggests a practical workaround: apply translated stickers over key information rather than reprinting entire labels. The decision ultimately depends on the size of your target market—larger markets may justify the investment in proper multilingual labels, while smaller distribution volumes may make the sticker approach more sensible. This avoids the complexity and cost of managing multiple SKUs while still meeting local regulatory requirements for essential product information.
What are the costs and logistics options for a UK-registered company shipping stock to Monaco?
Shipping small quantities (e.g. 20 cases) from the UK to Monaco as a UK-only registered company is **not recommended** by members due to prohibitive costs. **Cost estimates shared:** - Members reported monthly shipping costs ranging from **$5k to $30k** depending on volume and logistics partner - One member noted costs of **$10k per month** as typical **Recommended alternatives:** - **MPR** — can cover shipments from the UK and is noted as more cost-effective than direct shipping - **La Rue** — logistics consultant specialising in European distribution - **Krupa Consulting** — alternative consultant for Monaco/European logistics Members' consensus: direct shipping to Monaco from the UK for small volumes (20 cases) is prohibitively expensive; using a specialist distributor or logistics consultant is the preferred route. The exact cost depends heavily on shipment size and logistics partner chosen.