Shipping alcohol

Last updated: July 23, 2026

Shipping alcohol with Ankorstore’s carriers

Ankorstore’s UPS shipping option is now available for alcohol shipments within the EU and the UK, except for Finland and Sweden.

While we provide guidance on regulatory requirements, it remains the brand’s responsibility to comply fully with all laws and regulations in the origin, destination, and any transit countries.

General requirements

Alcohol may be shipped domestically and cross-border within the EU and the UK, excluding Finland, Sweden, and territories outside the EU customs/VAT area.

Required documentation:

  • Commercial Invoice

  • Excise Duty Documents (not provided by Ankorstore)

Important: Invoices generated by Ankorstore are not valid for alcohol shipments. Missing documents can lead to non-compliance, tax adjustments, and potential extra costs for which you may be jointly liable.

Please research local rules and inform your retailer accordingly.

UPS will only ship alcoholic beverages that:

  • Contain less than 70% alcohol by volume

  • Are packed in containers of 5 liters or less each

  • May be shipped with excise duty paid or under duty suspension

    (Note: Duty suspension is not allowed within/from Latvia or Malta):

  • More info: UPS requirements for alcohol shipments | DHL dangerous goods info

  • Always check both origin and destination rules before shipping.

Without these, the sale of your products will not be compliant, and the retailer risks a tax adjustment in case of customs inspection, resulting in additional costs for which you may be jointly liable. We therefore advise you to thoroughly research the applicable rules beforehand and inform the retailer accordingly.

Special Fiscal Mark Requirements

Italy and Portugal

  • Shipments including wine need accompanying documentation.

  • Bottled spirits and intermediate products require fiscal marks.

France and Spain

  • All alcoholic beverages require fiscal marks.

  • Spain: Exemption for spirits with ≤1.5% alcohol and ≤0.5L volume.

Packaging Requirements

To ensure safe and compliant delivery, all alcohol shipments must meet these packaging standards:

Inner packaging

  • Moulded Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam

  • Folded corrugated tray

  • Moulded fibre tray

Bottle protection:

  • Secure bottles in the center of the shipping container, away from sides

  • Use sturdy outer corrugated cardboard containers

  • Seal all flaps with pressure-sensitive tape

Examples of effective packaging

Polystyrene inner with corrugated outer

Maximum protection for all bottle shapes, must be sealed in a correct-sized box.

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Moulded pulp/die-cut corrugated inner with corrugated outer

Pre-tested by manufacturer, fits snugly, and sealed securely.

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Sealed Air’s Korrvu® Select

Retention sleeves prevent movement, scalable for single to multi-bottle shipments, and certified to ISTA 3A Transit Test standards.

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Commercial Invoice Requirements for Alcohol Shipments

Each commercial invoice (and alcohol label) must include:

  • Detailed merchandise description (including date of production)

  • Quantity (number of containers, total liters)

  • Packing specification (bottle, can, etc.)

  • Brand name

  • Origin/producing area

  • Alcohol percentage (strength)

  • Harmonised Tariff Code (for exports)

  • Winery information (for wine)

  • Malt concentration (for beer)

  • Intended use: commercial or personal (not for resale)

Note: Additional or country-specific requirements may apply.

Remember: As the shipper, it is your legal duty to comply with regulations in all relevant countries. Missing or incomplete documents, or non-compliant packaging, can lead to shipment delays, fines, or seizure.