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The legal traps of sending beer: a chess game
Sending a beer made at home may sound like a great idea to surprise a friend or to participate in a contest, but be careful! The laws on the sending of alcoholic beverages are more convoluted than a telenovela plot. First, let’s clarify that this article does not deal with commercial beer; That is a mined field of state regulations and licenses.
The rules of the game: What does the law say?
En Estados Unidos, cada estado tiene su propio conjunto de normas sobre el envío de alcohol. While some allow beer sending for personal use or for skills, others may be a true labyrinth of restrictions. If you really want to be on the right side of the law, be sure to investigate both the laws of your State and those of the place you send your beer. Una buena fuente de información es el sitio Crafty Shipping, que ofrece un desglose completo de las regulaciones estatales.
The rules of carriers: Who lets you send your beer?
Not only state laws are an obstacle; Shipping services also have their own rules. For example, the US postal service does not allow alcohol sending. However, Fedex and UPS allow licensed companies to send beer, but not individuals without adequate permits. So if you plan to send your beer without a license, it’s like playing Russian roulette with your shipment.
Packaging your beer: an art in itself
If you have decided to risk and send your beer, the way you pack it is crucial. Here are some tips that will help you prevent your beer from reaching your destination as a shake.
Packaging tips
1. Separate each bottle: use bubbles or cardboard so that the bottles do not touch each other. No fights between bottles!
2. Additional insulation: Form the box with foam or use a double box. Security is the first!
3. Ribbon, tape, tape: Be sure to seal the box with adhesive tape well. We don’t want surprises!
4. Fragile label: A label that indicates ‘fragile’ never hurts. May the distributors be careful!
5. Plastic line: Consider using a resistant plastic bag to contain possible leaks.
6. Review the norms of the carrier: Each carrier has its own rules on alcohol packaging.
7. Avoid heat: Do not send in the middle of summer, your beer does not want to become soup!
8. Correct labeling: Make sure all the address information is clear.
Final reflections: beer is to share, but legally
Send beer can be complicated, but with adequate information and a little caution, it is possible to do it legally. Remember that each State and each carrier have its own rules, so find out well before throwing your bottle into the world. At the end of the day, what matters is to enjoy a good beer, either at home or shared with friends. Health!
