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 is the process for sending alcoholic beverage samples to the US, and who can help?
Sending spirits samples to the US requires working with an importer who can navigate the COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) process. This is a regulatory requirement, not something you can do independently. **Importer/logistics options:** - **Park Street** (Florida) — mentioned as able to handle sample exports - **MHW** — alternative importer option - **Helmsman Imports** — can assist with the process; contact Nate at +1-202-492-0750 or nate@drifterspirits.com **What to expect:** Members report the COLA process requires approximately 6 pages of accompanying documentation, including copies of the importer's licence, COLA waivers, and other regulatory paperwork. Your chosen importer will guide you through these requirements. **Caveats:** Do not send unsolicited samples directly to retail chains like Waitrose — they end up in staff areas and are not an effective route. Work through a licensed importer who understands US alcohol import regulations.
What do I need to know about FDA facility registration when exporting spirits to the US, and should I register my own facility or use my co-packer's registration?
FDA registration is facility-based, not company-based. When exporting to the US, the registration is linked to the actual production site—so if you use a co-packer, their FDA facility registration is what matters. **Key points members shared:** - The FDA requires facility registration (not a separate exporter registration) - If you outsource production, you use your co-packer's FDA number - **Critical for customs:** Ensure the FDA facility registration number appears on all commercial invoices—customs brokers sometimes miss this, which can cause holds at port - Some members offer FDA filing services for their clients as part of their offering **Warning:** Double-check with your customs broker that the facility registration is included on export documentation; this appears to be a common point of failure that delays shipments at US ports.
What's the practical approach to exporting spirits to the US as a small business?
Exporting spirits to the US faces regulatory hurdles, but members have shared workarounds and legitimate routes. **Unofficial/grey-market approach (samples only):** - **FedEx Next-Day Priority** — send from a residential address (not company), using personal email and phone numbers. List items as "Packing and Label samples" with deliberately low declared values. Do not include any external or internal documentation. Success rate reported as near 100%, though legality is questionable. - Key caveat: this is explicitly NOT compliant and members describe it as skirting regulations; use only for small sample quantities. **Legitimate routes:** - **Registered importer with FDA Cola Waiver** — required for official sample shipments; involves FDA registration and paperwork. Members describe this as "a nightmare" but it's the legal path. - **Whisky Exchange or MoM (Mouth of Maldon?)** — members report past success using these as intermediaries, though specifics on how they handle compliance are not detailed in the discussion. **Caveats:** Members acknowledge US spirits export is extremely restrictive and that small-quantity shipments are particularly difficult. The grey-market workaround comes with obvious legal risk. Anyone seriously pursuing this should investigate FDA requirements and consider whether a registered importer partner is viable despite the bureaucratic burden.
What are the legal requirements for shipping alcohol to personal addresses in the United States?
Direct shipment of alcohol to personal addresses in the US is heavily restricted and requires compliance with federal and state regulations. **Key regulatory requirements:** - A registered/licensed importer on the US end is required—you cannot ship directly to a consumer address - The shipment must have label approval or a COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) waiver - Some states prohibit direct-to-consumer alcohol shipment entirely; even major retailers like Whisky Exchange do not ship to a dozen or so US states **Practical alternatives members have used:** - Purchasing through established retailers (e.g., Whisky Exchange) who handle the legal compliance, though this limits geographic reach within the US - One member mentioned labelling shipments as "olive oil" as a workaround, though this is not a legal or recommended approach - Working with a licensed US importer who can receive stock and handle distribution legally **Caveats:** The regulations are complex and vary by state. Members emphasised that direct consumer shipment "is not allowed AFAIK" without proper licensing and approval. If attempting one-off shipments, using an established retailer is the safest option, despite geographic limitations.
What are the key challenges and costs involved in exporting drinks to the United States?
US market entry involves significant hidden costs beyond standard wholesale margins, particularly through deductible charges that major retail channels impose. **Key cost challenges:** - **Deductibles and slotting fees** — Major US retail channels deduct as much as 65% of invoices through slotting fees, promotional chargebacks, and other deductibles. Distributors may not receive full payment on invoices due to these recoupments. - **Specialized recovery services** — Some expensive consultants exist solely to fight these deductible charges on behalf of brands and recover funds, taking a cut of what they recoup. (This mirrors services available in the UK, where companies specialise in reclaiming overcharged supermarket promotion fees.) **Contract canning in the US:** - Members strongly advise steering clear of US contract canning unless you have significant capital reserves. The costs are prohibitively high for most early-stage brands. **Overall sentiment:** The US market is described as "a messed up market" with structural costs that make entry challenging without substantial backing.
What transatlantic shipping routes can deliver to the US in under 10 days with direct port-to-port service?
Direct transatlantic crossings under 10 days have become rare; most current quotes are running 14 days or longer. However, members report that **Woodlands** can still deliver a 9-day port-to-port crossing. Direct introductions are available through existing members. Members note that the 9-day crossing routes that were previously available have been cancelled, reflecting tightening capacity on fast transatlantic services.
What are the US beverage container deposit compliance requirements for UK-produced cans, and can the marking be printed on labels instead of etched?
For US exports, beverage container deposit compliance markings can be printed on the can label rather than requiring etching on the aluminium. This requirement became enforceable at state level from May 2024, with distributors able to refuse product or issue fines for non-compliance. Key points members shared: - **Label printing is acceptable** — the deposit compliance wording does not need to be etched into the can itself; printing on the label meets the requirement. - **State-specific deposit amounts** — Connecticut (CT) raised its deposit to 10 cents as of January, so labels must reflect the correct deposit value for each state where product is sold. Outdated labelling showing older deposit amounts creates immediate non-compliance issues. - **PFAS compliance is equally critical** — members emphasised that checking PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) compliance for US distribution is just as important as deposit marking. European suppliers only achieved PFAS-compliant availability at the end of 2023, so verify your canner's compliance status before exporting. Cautions: US bottle bill requirements are state-specific and subject to change (as the CT example shows). Ensure labels are updated whenever deposit amounts change in your target states, and confirm your UK canner understands and supports these compliance requirements.