General Requirements
- You must hold the appropriate state and federal licenses to ship alcohol.
- An alcohol shipping agreement with the carrier is required.
- Shipments must follow both origin and destination state regulations.
- An adult (21+) signature is required upon delivery.
Packaging and Labeling
- Use sturdy outer cartons with inner protection like molded trays or foam to keep bottles secure.
- Prevent glass from touching the outer walls of the package.
- Label packages according to carrier requirements.
- Include all required documentation and specify that the shipment contains alcohol when creating the label.
Carrier Rules
| Carrier | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USPS | ❌ | Alcohol cannot be shipped under any circumstance. Packages marked as containing alcohol will be rejected. |
| UPS | ✅ | Allowed for licensed shippers with a UPS alcohol agreement. Limited to eligible services. State-level restrictions apply. Adult signature required. |
| FedEx | ✅ | Allowed for licensed shippers with a FedEx alcohol agreement. Only certain alcohol shipments are permitted, such as wine direct-to-consumer where state law allows. Packaging and labeling standards must be followed. |
Best Practices
- Confirm state laws before creating an alcohol shipment — some states restrict direct-to-consumer sales.
- Keep a copy of your licenses and carrier agreements on file.
- Always require an adult signature at delivery.
- Use extra protective packaging to prevent breakage.
- Consider adding shipping insurance for high-value alcohol shipments.
SimpliSent only supports alcohol shipping with carriers that allow it. If a carrier does not permit alcohol shipments, your package may be rejected. Always verify your eligibility before attempting to ship alcohol.