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 hidden costs and unexpected charges should importers expect when shipping goods from Mexico to the UK, and which freight forwarders can be trusted?
Lashing and container securing costs are standard but should be included in your freight quote—if they're sprung on you at the port as a surprise, that's a red flag. Members report lashing typically costs around $300 per container and must be factored into either your shipping quote or EXW/FOB negotiation. The bigger risk is demurrage and port inspection charges, which can spiral unpredictably. Members have been hit with: - Surprise demurrage charges of $375/day and storage costs - Port security inspections that take weeks (one member faced 26 days) while charges accumulate - Attempts to leverage containers for early payment or inflated fees **Recommended freight forwarders:** - **JS Wines** — moved to after switching away from EGL; highly competent and reliable - **Albatrans** — has local Mexican office, very few issues reported; members recommend asking for their UK/Mexico/US team contact details - **Metro** — solid partner; proactive at resolving issues and doesn't quibble over charges if their fault - **Nedcargo** — consistently reliable for members - **JF Hillebrand** — widely used by import partners (90% of one member's network), though one member advises it's expensive; others report it's been "spot on" and "super reliable" **Avoid:** - **EGL** — attempted £20k overcharge for demurrage; poor at managing port issues and leveraging containers for cash flow - **Arbour Shipping** — avoid entirely **Key tactic:** Get everything in writing in your shipping quote (FOB vs EXW terms matter). Push back on any charges presented as "unforeseen." If a forwarder can't control port delays, that's their problem—find one who does. Recent drug seizures in Mexican shipments have also made inspections more onerous across the board.
What logistics and customs challenges arise when shipping spirits from Mexico to the UK by sea, and which freight agents can help navigate them?
Shipping spirits from Mexico to the UK by sea involves several potential pitfalls that require careful planning. Members report the process is complex, with routing and regulatory surprises being common. **Key challenges and solutions:** - **Rotterdam/Netherlands routing issues** — Members encountered rejections when shipments were routed through Rotterdam, even for non-hazardous classified liquids. The cause appears to be either EU-wide or Netherlands-specific regulations; routing to avoid this port may be necessary. - **Specialised freight agents** — Standard sea freight agents may not understand spirits export requirements. Members recommend engaging agents with specific experience in México-to-Europe spirits logistics before committing to a shipment. - **Direct contact with experienced operators** — Several members have completed Mexico-to-UK shipments and offer informal advice through DM. Connecting with them early in your planning can help you avoid the pitfalls they've already navigated. **Caveats:** - The regulatory barrier (hazardous vs. non-hazardous classification, EU/Dutch rules) is not fully understood by the community, suggesting you'll need to work closely with your chosen agent to clarify the exact restriction. - Volume matters: members cite 1000L per two-month batches as a reference point for commercial viability.
Who are the recommended importers and distributors for drinks brands entering the Mexico market?
Members recommend reaching out to key contacts in the Mexican distribution space. **Amin Azil** is highlighted as a rising star distributor worth having a conversation with. **Stobbs** is mentioned as among the best in the business for distribution. Members also note that a compiled list of distributors with notes is available through direct contact within the community—reaching out to those who've already made introductions can accelerate the process. The recommendation is to start with direct conversations rather than cold outreach.
What are the import procedures and broker requirements for shipping bottling materials to Mexico for spirits production?
When importing bottles and corks into Mexico for spirits production (specifically tequila), you will need an import broker, whereas labels typically do not require one. **Key procedure:** - **Bottles and corks** are subject to Mexican taxation because they are directly tied to tequila production, which triggers the need for a customs broker to handle the import - **Labels** do not require a broker for import - Members recommend contacting **Forderline**, who can help identify a suitable broker and then forward your freight onwards to your distillery **Summary:** The distinction hinges on whether materials are considered inputs to taxable spirit production. Work with Forderline to connect with an appropriate customs broker for the bottle and cork shipment.