My father in law has bought a few cases of great wine as gifts for me over the years, and they have been resting peacefully in his “cantina”. I would like to have them shipped to me…what is the best and safest way? Or is it better to wait until I visit and bring back on my flight…
Where is the cantina?
In all likelihood, it’s easier and cheaper to bring it. I remember in Alba, though, there was a Mails Boxes Etc. (or the equivalent) that said they shipped to the US. I never used them, though, so I don’t know how they dealt with the customs clearance.
Far easier to bring it back yourself.
Wine Cruzer. 8 bottles or 5 mags a trip. However, I have used Mail Boxes, etc. in Alba for wine shipments within Italy, and they were great. Very professional, and fully equipped with styro shippers and other tools of the trade. Did not price international courier service, however…
Just to test it out, send me an assorted case of old Giacosa from your cellar.
Michael Horne 'splains it all for you:
I know a guy, who knows a guy, who does this thing, to get that thing to you know where.
I fell for a winery in Tuscany assuring me that the wine I bought that day could be shipped home to USA with no problem. Long story short ended up waiting over a year and the shipping costs doubled from what winery quoted me. When the wine made it to east coast a second shipper called and basically held my wine for ransom, said pay 2x or you will never see your wine. YMMV.
Wine was shit too, probably sat on the docks in hot sun for months.
Sorry, Ken, my old Giacosas are all coming the other way, back home to the land of their births, to be reunited with carne cruda and the tartufo bianco, and only in Wine Cruzers with trustworthy wine “mules”. (In your case, I would be comfortable having you bring the empty Wine Cruzers back for the next run!)
The concensus, not surprisingly, is schlep, don’t ship. For added comfort in any case, if you have wine insurance on your cellar at home, check transit coverage. My policy covers up to $10,000 per shipment.
Thanks all, looks like I will wait for my next trip to shlep it back myself. Bill thanks a lot for the idea to check for coverage on my wine policy…
What region is it in, Gary?
If you bring it back, have receipts or documentation on the value or you might have issues in customs.
Michael – Have you had an issue with receipts? I’ve never been asked for them in 15 years of lugging back styro shippers of wine. If it’s a few cases for personal consumption, US Customs doesn’t care. As has been detailed in other threads, there can be an issue if you clear customs in a state that restricts imports. Then the customs people evidently can enforce state law.
I’ve never had a problem, but I believe technically you are allowed 1 liter per person tax free.
I think it’s two 750s, but in any event, their policy is to allow several cases if it’s for personal consumption.
It still is a good idea to have the receipts in case you encounter a difficult agent. An obviously green agent at Newark told me two bottles was the limit two years ago, but when he asked his supervisor, the supervisor looked at my box, asked if it was for my own consumption, and waved me through, giving his underling a dismissive look.
Coming into the US, customs is on the alcohol content, not the actual value of the wines. So receipts are irrelevant.
Line 15 of the custom’s form:
- If you are a U.S. resident, print the total value of all goods (including commercial merchandise) you or any family members traveling with you have purchased or acquired abroad (including gifts for someone else, but not items mailed to the United States) and are bringing into the United States.
Make a transatlantic cruise .
I can deliver your wines but you have to collect them in Brazil ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
They live in Campagnia. They are here visiting now, which is how this came up.
We might go there for this winter. I dont know exactly how much wine is there for me, I cannot tell nor do I want to ask which are 6 btl cases and which are 12 btl cases, as they were gifts.
LOL