Help shipping wine from Australia

WINE TALK
1

A question for our wallaby loving Antipodean WBers:

I have a couple cases of wine I’ve been storing in Sydney for almost 2 decades now. My storage place is unable to ship to the US. I’ve searched, unsuccessfully, for shipping options. Does anyone know of a mode to ship these bottles to the US? Feel free to email or PM me if you prefer that to answering the thread.

Thanks in advance,

Todd

2

Ask your storage place to contact a winery that ships to the US. It would be helpful if it included some of their wine. It is expensive though unless they would include your wine with one of there pallets and that would likely be a stretch.

Good luck.

3

Fly there for a vacation. Bring back with you.

4

Out of curiosity, what reason does your storage place give for not being able to ship to US?

Just seems mindboggling that despite how developed international trade is, sending a couple of boxes of wine from a first world country to a first world country is difficult.

5

If you want to ship it to the USA you can ship it through airline cargo and then you will need to hire customs agent (cost about $225) to clear customs. As long as it’s under 9 cases they will let you bring in without license.

6

It’s expensive, about $265 for 6 bottles and $295 for a case!! Contact Gary Letchford (sales@getfreightedcellardoor.com), he does the shipping for Sami-Odi wines

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7

Thanks everyone.

Jon, No specific explanation given when I was asked. They used to be able, and no longer can.

Thanks Robert, pending any other ideas, that might be my best option at this point.

I’m game for any more ideas

Thanks again

8

Maybe PM Jeremy Holmes to see whether he has any ideas on overseas shippers out of Australia?

9

This was 12 years ago, but when I was there the Kaesler Winery in Barossa was extremely switched on re: the whats and hows of shipping to the USA and it ended up being quite affordable and come off without a hitch. Obviously, much may have changed, but as a Hail Mary you might want to give them a call. Plus, if you buy some of theirs and have it shipped here, you can avoid paying the staggering Australian WET tax. At the time, it was much cheaper to have Barossa wines shipped to my home in Los Angeles than it was to walk out the front door of the winery with them.

10

Talk about a worthwhile post-pandemic trip. Visit a few wineries (and/or Berserkers). Pull some corks. See if anyone ships. Drink what you can/want and haul the rest home with you.

Any other nicely aged wine stashes scattered across the planet? [wink.gif] Scavenger hunt!

RT

11

Did you order from Sami-Odi this year? I tried but Fraser said he isn’t shipping to the US.

12

Yes, I did order this year

13

Do they ship to the UK? Maybe they could send it to Seabrook and Seabrook could send it on to you.

14

Just looking at Fedex website it states that shipping wine between the countries is prohibited unless shipped to and from licensed entities. ie you cannot have the wine sent to an individual. Thus you may need to request the assistance of an importer or perhaps wholesaler or retailer in your market. Fedex suggest they offer the service if the correct criteria are met.

15

Another thought - I know that East End Cellars in Adelaide used to ship a lot of wine to the USA. I guess if you bought a few extra bots off them the may be able to help. https://www.eastendcellars.com.au/

16

Thanks everyone.

Rich,
I’m still hoping for my cellar in the Langhe some day, but for now that’s it for overseas.

Jay, Good idea. They do ship to the UK.

Kent,
Thanks, I will check with an importer friend here and see what can be done.

Much appreciated everyone

17

As the importer for Sami-Odi to the US since the 2010 vintage, we have tiny amounts available in the US. We have historically received 100-120 bottles for the country.

Please shoot an email to: meeker at vsimports.com.

Aaron Meeker
Vine Street Imports | Vice President

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